Rugby Ontario Announces Women In Leadership Fund Recipients

In collaboration with Rugby Canada, Rugby Ontario is proud to announce our Women in Leadership Fund to extend the reach of the Rugby Canada program by the same name. In addition to the two Ontario-based recipients of the Rugby Canada fund, Leanne Stillman (Toronto Nomads) and Tracy Roberts (Middlesex-Huron), Rugby Ontario will provide funding to support two more women to pursue leadership development opportunities that align with their personal goals.

 

Rugby Ontario 2024 Women in Leadership Fund Recipients:

 

Kelly Zacny

Club: Georgian Bay Titans RFC

Role: President

“The Women in Leadership program is important to gather women who share similar goals and aspirations in the sport of rugby. Recently I’ve taken on a role as President of the Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge and leadership skills to guide my team. I am hoping to grow the sport of rugby in our community but also grow as a community.”

 

LeeAnn Napriorkowski

Clubs: Lanark Highlanders RFC and Canadian Jax RFC.

Roles: VP Development (Lanark Highlanders) and President (Canadian Jax)

“I would love to help women find their way in our sport. I have been blessed to work with so many strong women who have made a huge impact on my playing, coaching and administrative work. My goal is to help people from all walks of life, backgrounds, abilities and experience levels to get involved in rugby.”

 

We are excited to invest in the future of rugby in Ontario through championing women in leadership roles in alignment with our Strategic Plan. The Rugby Ontario Women in Leadership Fund will double the number of women in Ontario impacted by the Women in Leadership Fund. There were many excellent candidates in Ontario for the Rugby Canada Program, so we are looking forward to providing a platform for them to connect and learn from each other as they continue on their personal development journeys.

We have recently been participating in the Canadian Women and Sport’s Gender Equity Playbook Program to conduct a systematic review and assessment of our policies, programs, and practices through a gender equity lens. The Rugby Ontario Women in Leadership Program is a first step toward more intentional and direct actions to improve gender equity in our sport.

Rugby Canada announces Hall of Fame Class of 2023

December 12, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the Hall of Fame class for 2023. Nine Canadian rugby icons will have their distinguished careers celebrated forever as they enter the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame.

Since the inaugural Class of 2016, the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame has recognized and welcomed the most dedicated and decorated members of Canada’s rugby community to its growing list.

The Rugby Canada Hall of Fame was established to honour and preserve rugby’s culture and heritage in Canada by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of rugby participants throughout our country.

“This year’s class of inductees to the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame showcases nine outstanding women and men who have brought honour and fame, on and off the field, to the history of rugby in Canada,” said Mike Luke, Chair Rugby Canada’s Hall of Fame Project Team. “Their skills as former international rugby players and match officials, administrators and leaders in the game, has made them great contributors to Canada’s place in the world of rugby.”

Inductees will be celebrated at the 2024 HSBC Vancouver Sevens on Saturday February 24, 2024. Tickets for the HSBC Vancouver Sevens can be purchased at vansevens.com.

Please view a brief overview of the inductees below and click on the corresponding links to learn more about each inductee’s outstanding contributions to the sport of rugby in Canada.

CLASS OF 2023

KEITH WILKINSON – BUILDER

An accomplished coach and manager, Keith Wilkinson has served in various roles important to the growth and development of rugby in Canada at the international level. In 1989, he established the Rugby Canada Medical Science Committee along with Dr. P. Wiley. From 1991 to 1997, he served on the Rugby Canada board as National Teams Director, presenting papers and attending conferences in this role around the world in Argentina, the UK, France and South Africa, and attending the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

RICK BOURNE – BUILDER

Bourne has held several positions at the national and international levels, serving on Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors from 2003 to 2019, including five years as President. He was Canada’s Rugby Americas North representative from 2012 to 2019 and currently holds an active position on the board of HSBC Vancouver Sevens as well as director roles with the Canadian Rugby Foundation and the Canadian Rugby 7s Fund. He is a Canadian Rugby Foundation Contributing Member, having made over $25,000 in lifetime donations.

SHERRY TRUMBULL – MATCH OFFICIAL

During her career as an international match official, Sherry Trumbull was awarded 40 international refereeing appointments in the 15s game spanning from 2009-2016. Highlights from her career include officiating at the Women’s Six Nations from 2012-2016 and the Rugby World Cups in 2010 and 2014 where she took charge of the bronze medal Final.

ANDREA BURK – PLAYER

Born and raised in North Vancouver, BC, Andrea Burk represented Canada at the 2014 and 2017 Rugby World Cups and was part of the Canadian side that earned a silver medal in 2014, facing England in the final after a historic semi-final win over France. Burk earned a total of 38 caps throughout her international playing career, scoring eight tries, 37 conversions, and 15 penalty kicks for a total of 159 points.

JEN KISH – PLAYER

From Edmonton, Alberta, Jen Kish’s legacy makes her one of Canada’s most decorated rugby players. Kish captained Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team to a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the inaugural Olympic rugby sevens tournament. Over her career, Kish made a total of 134 appearances in the World Rugby Sevens Series from 2013 to 2018, scoring 34 tries for 170 points.

JULIANNE ZUSSMAN – PLAYER

As an international rugby player, Julianne Zussman earned a total of 44 caps over the span of her career, scoring a total of 18 tries, often running in the back three. She earned her first cap against Scotland in 2007 and played for Canada at the 2010, 2014 and 2017 Rugby World Cups, claiming a silver medal in 2014. she was named to the 2017 World Rugby Dream Team and was named the recipient of Rugby Canada’s Gillian Florence Award, a peer selected award given to the player who “best represents the qualities of Canadian rugby”.

MARK CARDINAL – PLAYER

Mark Cardinal played with the James Bay AA Rugby Club after graduating high school in 1979 until he hung up his boots in 1999. Cardinal’s career with Canada on the international stage was highlighted by three Rugby World Cup appearances in 1987, 1995 and 1999. During his time representing Canada, Mark earned a total of 46 caps, starting in 35 of the test matches he played.

MIKE JAMES – PLAYER

Mike James’ illustrious rugby career began at Burnaby’s Alpha Secondary School, where he started playing rugby in grade 11. Shortly after his international debut in 1994, James was named to his first Rugby World Cup. He went on to earn 57 caps all as starter, over 1994 to 2007 as Canada’s most-capped second row, playing in four Rugby World Cups (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007) and captaining the team four times between 2003 to 2007.

 

STEVE GRAY – PLAYER

Steve Gray earned 47 caps for Canada between 1984 to 1997, including famous Canadian wins against the likes of Scotland, Wales, England, Argentina and France. In 1987, Gray scored three tries in a test match against the United States. He played in three Rugby World Cups (1987, 1991, 1995) and was selected to Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team on multiple occasions, including the squad for the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993.

Click here for the full bios

The process for an individual to be selected and inducted into the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame follows the Nomination, Selection and Recognition process which can be viewed HERE. Nomination and Terms of Reference PDFs are also located HERE.

ABOUT THE RUGBY CANADA HALL OF FAME

In October 2016, a nine-member ‘Ways and Means Committee’ was established to develop a plan to honour and preserve rugby’s culture and heritage in Canada by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of rugby’s participants throughout the country through the Awards and Recognition program. The Awards and Recognition Program and the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame recognize the efforts of those that have made a significant impact on the sport of rugby in Canada.

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Vancouver Sevens annual tournaments.

Rugby Canada’s New Strategic Plan (2024-2027)

December 6, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the organization’s new strategic plan for 2024 until 2027 and beyond. The plan has been approved by Rugby Canada’s board after several months of consultation and collaboration with Rugby Canada’s executive leadership team and staff, national team players and representatives from all 10 provincial unions.

The new plan has put emphasis on three strategic aims:

1. Support Our Teams to Win: Build high performing national teams and provide training environments that achieve success.

2. Be a Leading Sports Organization: Transform Rugby Canada into a strong, world class national sports organization.

3. Expand Financial Capacity: Grow and diversify revenues, increase financial stability and create new opportunities.

The overview version of Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan can be found here.

“The launch of our new strategic plan marks an exciting next step in Rugby Canada’s ongoing process of change and improvement under strong leadership and reflects our commitment to deliver meaningful cultural and systemic change,” said Sally Dennis, Rugby Canada Chair. “Nathan [Bombrys, CEO] fully embraced the board’s mandate to transform Rugby Canada. His experience and vision have been the driving forces behind this achievement, as well as his tireless and successful determination to obtain buy-in from our stakeholders.”

“The plan is bold; it is clear; it contains ambitious but achievable goals; and tough choices have been made. From now on, no decision will be made, or step taken at Rugby Canada, without reference back to the plan to ensure alignment and consistency with its objectives. I am confident that, with Nathan at the helm and the continued support of our stakeholders, the plan will be implemented, and its strategic goals delivered. Now the real work begins.”

Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan also comes with a new overarching philosophy of “One Squad”. The mentality behind “One Squad” is understanding that across the country, everyone has a role to play in helping us become a leading sports organization, expanding our financial capacity and the success of our national teams. Together, we will play rugby, learn, build and win as one. We will support each other through our defeats and celebrate our successes together.

“The opportunity to provide input to the new strategic plan and collaborate with Rugby Canada, including a recent in-person workshop hosted in Alberta, is a perfect demonstration of how we can learn together and build together to achieve success,” stated President of Rugby Alberta, Chris Cooke. “As one of the 10 provincial unions in Canada, Rugby Alberta looks forward to continued collaboration to ensure our provincial programs and priorities contribute to the overall vision for rugby in our country.”

The new plan displays a clear commitment to a new standard of performance, behaviour, attitude and decision-making as we enter a new era of rugby in Canada.

“As players, it is both reassuring and exciting to see our organization establish a clear direction,” said player ambassador, Sophie de Goede. “This clarity mitigates off-field stressors for players and enables us to focus on our part in the strategic plan – delivering world class performances. I think I can speak for all players in saying we look forward to representing Canada as ‘One Squad’ moving forward.”

As it is our ambition for Rugby Canada to be recognized as a top 12 rugby nation in the world on and off the field, our purpose will continue to be to inspire the nation and to lead, govern and support the game of rugby across Canada. We are ready to build on what came before us and honour rugby’s 150-year history here in Canada.

The full version of Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan can be found here.

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Vancouver Sevens annual tournaments.

52 New Certified Rugby Coaches at Upper Canada College

On Saturday, November 25th, a momentous event took place at Upper Canada College, Toronto, as 52 newly certified rugby coaches emerged from a Level 1 and Rookie Rugby course. This remarkable achievement not only underscores the dedication of the participants but also celebrates the collaborative efforts and support from key partners, including Rugby Ontario, CISAA, Tim White, and Rugby Canada. The success of this coaching initiative was made possible by the warm hospitality of Upper Canada College, Toronto, and the commendable efforts of Victoria Altomare-Varlokostas and her team. 

Key Partnerships 

The synergy between Rugby Ontario and partners played a pivotal role in the event’s success. CISAA and Tim White, contributed significantly to the seamless execution of the program. Their support ensured that the course met high standards and provided valuable insights into coaching methodologies, fostering a positive learning environment for participants. 

Hosts Extraordinaire: Upper Canada College, Toronto 

The gracious hosts, Upper Canada College, Toronto, provided an ideal setting for the coaching course. The institution’s commitment to promoting rugby coaching excellence was evident in the meticulous planning and execution of the event. The collaborative spirit between the coaching team and the college created an environment conducive to effective learning and skill development. 

Educators’ Commitment 

Two standout educators, Spencer Robinson and Gary Robinson, were among the participants who successfully achieved Level 1 educator certification. Their commitment to enhancing coaching skills exemplifies the dedication present among educators seeking to elevate their impact on the rugby field. The success of these educators is a testament to the quality of the coaching course and the comprehensive training it provided. 

Outstanding Contributions from the Coaching Team 

The coaching education team, led by LeeAnn Napiorkowski, Meghan Peets, Alexander Townsend, and Darrell Devine, played a pivotal role in guiding participants through the Level 1 and Rookie Rugby course. Their expertise ensured coaches received top-notch instruction, contributing to the overall success of the program and a positive learning experience for all involved. 

Mentorship from Master Coach Developers 

Special gratitude goes to Johnatan Long and Stephanie Veal, esteemed Master Coach Developers from Rugby Canada, for their invaluable mentorship throughout the coaching course. Their guidance and expertise enhanced the learning journey, creating an environment where aspiring coaches could develop their skills with confidence. The support from Rugby Canada reflects a commitment to excellence in rugby coaching and the cultivation of future leaders in the sport.  

The success of the coaching course at Upper Canada College, Toronto, on November 25th is a testament to collaboration, dedication, and support from various stakeholders. As 52 new certified rugby coaches emerge from this program, the rugby community can anticipate an elevated standard of coaching, contributing to the continued growth and success of the sport. Special thanks go to all those involved, from partners and hosts to educators and mentor coaches, for their collective commitment to advancing rugby coaching excellence, with heartfelt gratitude to CISAA for their invaluable support. 

Three Opportunities to get involved in Rugby Development

We are excited to share three opportunities for you to join us in making a difference in the future of rugby in Ontario! The Youth Development Committee, Minor Rugby Working Group, and Build Belonging Legacy Committee will support our continued commitment to creating a more cohesive, supportive and progressive sporting environment that is responsive to the needs of all members. The introduction of these groups will support four of our strategic pillars: Support the Club Community, Build Belonging, Invest in the Future, and Advance our Rugby Culture.

More specifically the Youth Development Committee will be a committee of youth for youth with members under the age of 30 working to develop and support opportunities to improve recruitment and retention of youth (ages 13-29) and foster the development of skills and opportunities related to non-player roles.

The Minor Rugby Working Group will assist Rugby Ontario operations staff in fulfilling their responsibilities relating to the growth and development of Minor Rugby in Ontario in line with the Rugby Ontario Strategic Plan and Long-Term Development in Sport. Members will review and analyze feedback from stakeholders and support the planning of the Minor Rugby season and related initiatives.

Finally, the Build Belonging Legacy Committee will provide counsel and recommendations related to the development and review of provincial policies, practices, and programs from a lens of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) to help foster an environment of belonging and safety for all past, present, and future members of Rugby Ontario across all roles. This committee will use the recent Build Belonging Project as a foundation to begin their work, but prospective members do not need to have been involved in that project in any way to be considered.

Applicants from within and outside of the rugby community are equally encouraged to express their interest in all three of these groups.

Follow the links to find out more about each group and express your interest in joining. Forms will close at 9am December 11th so don’t wait!

Youth Development Expression of Interest: https://forms.office.com/r/uhecpECHz1

Youth Development Committee ToR

BB Legacy Expression of Interest: https://forms.office.com/r/3aYaiaQ3rJ

Build Belonging Legacy Committee TOR

Minor Rugby Working Group Statement of Work

Minor Rugby Expression of Interest: https://forms.office.com/r/eiU8tr5A4A

Rugby Ontario Statement Regarding the Toronto Arrows

The Toronto Arrows have had a profound impact on the sport of rugby in Ontario since their inception into Major League Rugby.  Like so many others, we are saddened by yesterday’s news about the Arrows.

As Canada’s first and only professional rugby union franchise, the Arrows have provided a necessary platform for many Ontario athletes and coaches to pursue professional rugby right here in Canada, while also creating memorable experiences for thousands of fans.   We are proud to be a partner of the Arrows and thank the club’s co-founder, the late Bill Webb, and the club’s leadership, players and staff for all they have contributed to rugby in Ontario and throughout the country.

Rugby Ontario is committed to developing strategies that maximize the performance potential of all aspiring provincial rugby players.  We consistently work to create alignment in support of a clear development pathway for players, coaches and match officials in Ontario, and will continue to offer and support various player development opportunities across the province.

Ontario Blues Development Academy Overview

The Ontario Blues Development Academy (OBDA) is a high-performance program focused on the development of aspiring provincial rugby players. Our targeted demographic is young men and women between the ages of 16– 18 years of age (athletes born in 2006/2007). We aspire to provide an environment in which the demands of high-performance sport and life skills are blended to enable success within both endeavours. Our Central locations are Toronto and St. Catharines, with satellite locations in Guelph, Ottawa and other supporting regions. 

PROGRAM PURPOSE 

Facilitate the Development of Future Provincial and National Team Athletes. 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The OBDA exists to provide an environment that supports rugby players and those athletes recently graduated from high school in achieving their aspirations of competing for the National Senior Women’s and Men’s teams, with a focus on a podium performance. We believe that we give athletes the best opportunity to achieve these goals when we work ethically and with integrity to develop the holistic student athlete. 

KEY PROGRAM PRINCIPLES: 

Growth Mindset 

Consistent application of physical and mental resources is required to achieve desired growth in skills, abilities, and character. This adaptation occurs when an internal or external pressure forces the individual to respond. There will be times in which perseverance is required to overcome adversity. A commitment to this process will lead to success and a developed resiliency for future challenges. 

Personal Accountability 

Personal accountability for how we manage ourselves and interact with others is necessary in order to achieve national team success. Self-management of behaviours including punctuality, attitude, and preparation are required to create a foundation upon which learning can occur. The communication and interaction we have with others must be inclusive, and respectful in order to facilitate team success. 

Community 

We require support from multiple networks to achieve our goals. Maintaining positive and mutually beneficial relationships with schools, families, and local communities are necessary to attain our rugby aspirations. Giving back to these communities in meaningful ways is important to grow these partnerships, develop holistic student-athletes, and represent Rugby Ontario.   

DAILY SCHEDULE 

The Ontario Blues Development Academy in Ontario is a decentralized program. Athletes will train for 3 hours between the hours of 4pm till 9pm, 1-2 times a week and showcase tournament. Key focus areas of training are below: 

  • Rugby specific training: skills, scrimmage, speed, weights, combat, mobility 
  • Sport Performance Seminars, covering a range of topics: Leadership, Nutrition, Time Management, Mental Performance, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Recovery, Video Analysis, Team Building, Post-secondary planning 

Toronto PanAm Sports Centre – Scarborough

Mondays/Thursdays

Canada Games Park – St. Catharine’s

Mondays/Wednesdays

 

Player Assessments & Feedback 

Academy players will regularly receive individual performance feedback to enhance personal growth and development. In addition to the informal feedback that will be provided by coaching staff on a regular basis within the daily training environment, athletes will be given quarterly comprehensive athletic reviews. Quarterly assessments incorporate objective and subjective monitoring in order to track player development and performance across short- and long-term time frames. 

Objective: Data driven performance metrics based on Gold Medal Profile performance metrics as well as national team standards. This feedback will ensure that performance gaps are being addressed and that the player is meeting the expected outcomes of the Rugby Academy program. Examples of these objective measures are sprint times, fitness levels, and strength scores. 

Subjective: Observation and reflection from coaching staff in relation to key performance indicators. This feedback will ensure that performance gaps are being addressed and that the player is meeting the expected outcomes of the Rugby Academy program. Examples of these subjective measures are technical and tactical rugby understanding and ability, approach to training, and coach-ability. 

WHAT IS THE LENGTH AND THE COST OF PARTICIPATING IN THE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY? 

  • 10-12 weeks between January-March 

  • Cost is $30-$50 per week per athlete 

  • OBDA branded basic training kit will be included in fees 

Who is a good fit for the OBDA program? 

Athletes who are self-motivated and driven to achieve excellence both on and off the field will be best suited for this program. The OBDA program is very demanding both physically and mentally, as the athletes will be challenged in many new and different ways. Athletes must have a growth mindset and be able to conduct themselves professionally and positively in a close– knit team environment. 

How to Apply 

Athletes interested in applying for the OBDA 2024 year must complete the online application by December 1, 2023. Applications will be accepted after December, pending available space. 

APPLICATION LINK: https://forms.office.com/r/hLHr4QbugY  

For questions please contact: 

Amanda Andres – aandres@rugbyontario.com     

Club Development Conference – Retain and Grow on November 25

Club Development Conference – November 25th at Maple Banquet Hall

Join Rugby Ontario’s Director of Rugby Operations and Manager of Rugby Development for the first installments of our free Club Development Series beginning this fall including our hybrid Club Development Conference! We will work and learn together as we take steps towards improved retention and growth at the community club level. The event is open to all who are interested in the development of Rugby Ontario clubs and strongly encouraged for all club leaders.

The Conference is taking place on Saturday November 25th from 11am-4pm at the Maple Banquet Hall 1325 Eglinton Avenue East  Mississauga, Ontario OR online through our virtual event platform.

 

The conference will be facilitated by Rugby Ontario’s Director of Rugby Operations, John Hyland, and Manager of Rugby Development, Jocelyn Poirier but is intended to be primarily interactive and participant led discussion to support the development of inter-club relationships and the sharing of best practices. The conference is broken into two main sections: the morning focused on Retention and the afternoon focused on Growth. Both sections will follow a similar format with a quick intro followed by breakout groups on different topics/areas related to the broader theme and then a full group debrief and discussion. A networking lunch will be provided to those attending in person.

Schedule

10:45am-11:00am | Arrival and Refreshments

11:00am-1:00pm | Facilitated Session 1 – Retention

1:00pm-1:45pm | Working Lunch – Network and Brainstorm

1:45pm-3:45pm | Facilitated Session 2 – Growth

3:45pm-4:00pm | Next Steps and Closing

Missed the first webinar of the series? Catch up by watching the recording which is available through our virtual event portal, which all registered attendees for the series have access to.

The Club Development Series will continue in the New Year with more virtual sessions. The exact dates and topics for those are TBD based on the discussions at the conference and themes drawn from the submitted Club Development Self-Assessments and other sources of club feedback.

For more information and to register: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ROclubdevseries/home

Questions? Contact jpoirier@rugbyontario.co

Professional Coaching Development at Toronto Arrows Combine

NOV 3 – Professional Coaching Development Opportunity at Toronto Arrows Combine

Combines for athletes aged 18 to 23, professional development sessions for coaches to be held at locations across Ontario in November and December.

TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows announced today, in partnership with Rugby Ontario, that its Academy will be hosting a series of identification combines for athletes and professional development sessions for coaches this fall.

“This will be a first look for me to see what talent is out here in the province,” said Jamie Cudmore, Toronto Arrows Academy Director. “We are looking for raw talent that has a good attitude and is willing to work hard. Speed, size and/or skill are the main requirements needed, but toughness and grit are intangibles I value in players that I coach.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the coaches put forward and helping grow the pathway to professional rugby in Ontario and Canada.”

Held at locations across Ontario in November and December and run with support from Rugby Ontario, each full-day session will include a morning of professional development for coaches, followed by an afternoon that features a strength testing combine and skill-based games for athletes aged 18 to 23.

Athletes selected to participate in the identification series will be nominated by post-secondary and club coaches, with Academy staff placing a selection emphasis on confirmed* players.

“I don’t think coaches in Canada get enough opportunities to learn and collaborate in person about best practices in the game, and that is what these professional development sessions aim to provide,” added Cudmore. “From my experience while coaching in France’s Top 14 and Pro D2 leagues, as well as internationally with Canada’s Men’s XV, I’m looking forward to helping coaches across this country grow.”

“I want us to connect and build towards coaching a fast, exciting, heads-up, unapologetically Canadian brand of rugby that we can all be proud of.”

Arrows Academy Fall Identification Series

University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ont.
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. // Professional Development for Coaches
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. // Field and Skills Testing for Athletes

Additional identification combines for athletes and professional development sessions for coaches will be held at locations in Niagara, the GTA, and Ottawa. Details will be announced in the coming days.

Athlete Expressions of Interest

All athletes interested in participating in the Arrows Academy Fall Identification Series are encouraged to alert their coaches (post-secondary, interbranch, club) of their intent.

Coaches will then submit their player lists to Academy staff via email at academy@torontoarrows.com for consideration.

*Academy staff are placing a selection emphasis on confirmed players, including those who meet one or more of the following criteria:

– have represented their province or country at the age-grade level;
– have played for their post-secondary (university or college) team;
– have played for their club team at a first division level;
– under their coach’s discretion, have a speed, size, or skill level that merits a look at the next level

All athletes selected to participate in the combines will be notified directly by Academy staff.

There will be no cost for selected athletes to participate.

Coach Expressions of Interest

All coaches interested in attending Arrows Academy Fall Identification Series professional development sessions are encouraged to confirm their attendance by notifying Academy staff via the club’s registration form.

Please note that there is a $120 cost to attend each professional development session. The fee, which offsets hosting costs and includes coffee, Arrows merchandise, and full immersion in the afternoon combine, can be paid on site.

All additional inquiries can be sent to Academy staff at academy@torontoarrows.com.

Brantford Harlequins win the 2023 McCormick Cup

Brantford Harlequins win this year’s McCormick Cup

The Brantford Harlequins are McCormick Cup Champions! The Harlequins defeated Balmy Beach 26-20 to win the 2023 title. It is the sixth provincial championship for the Brantford Harlequins, whose last win was in 2019. This victory completed a 12-0-1 season for the team. Rugby Ontario would like to congratulate the Harlequins on their McCormick Cup victory. We would also like to congratulate Balmy Beach on an outstanding season and fantastic final match. The game was streamed on our YouTube Channel which you can watch here.

Earlier in the day, Balmy Beach 2XV defeated Crusaders 33-15 earning themselves the Gee Gage Cup once again. At the same time, Barrie and Ajax Wanderers battled it out for third place in the Fall Cup. The game resulted in a 29-12 victory for Barrie. Next was the McCormick Consolation game between Aurora Barbarians and Toronto Scottish that ended with a final score of 24-14 for the Scottish. This game was followed by the Fall Cup Final that featured the Toronto Nomads against the Peterborough Pagans – the Nomads secured the cup with a 35-28 victory.

We’d like to thank all the wonderful teams for competing as well as the support from the community who came out to Fletcher’s to watch the games. A special thank you is dedicated to the Match Officials of the McCormick Cup Final without whom we wouldn’t be able to hold these competitions.

To check out live coverage from the day visit our Instagram page here.