Formed in 1999, the purpose of the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame is to honour and perpetuate the names and accomplishments of players, coaches, officials, and members of the provincial rugby community whose dedication and competitive achievements have brought lasting fame to the sport of rugby in Ontario.
To date, 96 individuals and five teams have been inducted into the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame.
Bill Webb
Builder
William “Bill” Webb
Builder
It is incredibly difficult to put into words what Bill Webb has contributed to the sport of rugby in Ontario and across Canada. Rugby was in many ways weaved into all parts of Bill’s life. He made a profound impact on the game in Ontario, devoting so much of himself to the growth of the game within his local community of Toronto, across the province of Ontario and throughout Canada.
Bill had a career in finance that saw him working on multiple continents for many global finance firms capping his legendary career in Toronto as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Gluskin Sheff & Associates then founding his own financial services company called Waypoint Investment Partners.
Read MoreRose LaBrèche
Official
Rose LaBrèche
Official
Rose LaBrèche began officiating in 2008 and quickly moved up the refereeing ranks in Ontario, finally progressing to her first invite to the National Festival in the summer of 2012. That fall, she was appointed to Rugby Canada’s National Panel of Referees, and has since become one of Canada’s most accomplished referees. Her career saw her travel the world as a Rugby Canada representative, being appointed to the Women’s Sevens World Series for the 2014-15 season after first being seen by World Rugby selectors at the Canada Women’s Sevens Event in Langford, BC in 2015. She would go on to referee at 13 Series tournaments from 2014-2018, and was Assistant Referee at 3 Vancouver 7s events in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Rose was selected to join the Match Official teams at major Games and tournaments, including the Rugby Americas North 7s in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the 2015 Pan Am Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Women’s Six Nations from 2016-2018, the 2018 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Men’s and Women’s Repechage for the Rio Olympics 2016 and numerous domestic championships at provincial, national and U SPORTS levels from 2012-2019.
Jerry Marriott
Builder
Jerry Marriott
Builder
Jerry Marriott has enjoyed a long and distinguished 40-year rugby career, both on and off the pitch, and has been an integral part of the life and success of the club since joining Toronto Scottish RFC in 1983. Moving from Halifax to Toronto to work in finance in 1982, Jerry was a late convert to rugby, picking up a rugby ball for the first time at age 27.
Jerry greatly enjoyed the camaraderie, competition, fitness, and social aspects of rugby, heading out on his first big tour to Moseley RFC in Birmingham, UK in 1985, and continued playing and touring into his 60’s. Over the years, Jerry has played front row at all grades for Toronto Scottish, and also previously played for the University of Western Ontario’s Business School side, where he was the oldest rookie on the team in his first year and captained the side vs Harvard Business School in 1987.
Read MoreRandy McKellar
Player
Randy McKellar
Player
Randy McKellar is a legendary figure in Ontario and Canadian rugby, with a career spanning over two decades as a player, coach, and leader. Starting with Oakville Trafalgar Rugby from 1975-1980, he quickly became known for his skills and leadership, setting the stage for a standout rugby career. At Brock University in the early 1980s, Randy helped elevate the university’s rugby program, building on his already impressive reputation.
In 1978, Randy joined the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club, where he became a cornerstone of the team for over 20 years. A highly regarded loose-head prop, he was known for his solid scrummaging, ball-handling, fitness, and ability to excel in contact. From 1981 to 1990, he represented both the Niagara Rugby Union and the Ontario Rugby Union, showcasing his skill at the regional and provincial levels. He earned 4 caps for Canada between 1985 and 1987, including an appearance in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. He also represented the Voyageurs Invitational XVs, cementing his place among Canada’s top players.
Read MoreJuli Prokopchuk Brattan
Builder
Juli Prokopchuk Brattan
Builder
Juli Prokopchuk Brattan is a dedicated and accomplished figure in Canadian women’s rugby, whose playing, coaching, and officiating careers span more than two decades. Her rugby journey began as a player, where she represented Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in Senior Women’s club and provincial rugby from 1993 to 2005.
Her transition into coaching has been equally impressive, with a focus on developing the next generation of rugby talent. From 2009 to 2018, she served as Head Coach for various teams, including the Fergus Highland U15 and U18 Girls teams, Robert F. Hall Varsity Girls Rugby Team, and the Niagara Rugby Union Women’s Team for the Ontario Summer Games. She played a significant role in the Ontario Jr. Storm U16 Women’s Team, guiding them to a silver medal at the 2016 Nationals. Additionally, she founded and led rugby development academies and clinics, working with youth across Dufferin and Peel Regions to foster growth in the sport.
Read MoreIrish Canadian Rugby Club Men’s 1st XV (1999-2008)
Team
Irish Canadian Rugby Club Men’s 1st XV 1999-2008
Team
The Irish Canadian Rugby Club (ICRC) Men’s team of 1999-2008 epitomized excellence in Ontario rugby, a golden era that will forever be remembered for its dominance, character, and unwavering commitment to both the game and the community.
Over this remarkable decade, the Irish established themselves as one of the top rugby clubs in the province, capturing the McCormick Cup Championship four times (1999, 2002, 2006, 2008) and consistently finishing as finalists or semi finalists in each of the years between 1999 and 2008. They achieved great success in the Ontario League, claiming the Ontario League Championship three times (1999, 2002, 2004) and never failing to make it to at least the semi-finals of the McCormick Cup throughout the period.
Read MoreMike Fisher – Bytown Blues RFC & Eastern Ontario Rugby Union
Chris Groombridge – Sarnia Saints Rugby Football Club & Southwest Ontario Rugby Football Club
Pat Hodgins – Irish Canadian Rugby Club & Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club
Jay Johnston – Rugby Canada Board of Directors
Fran Mason – Ontario Rugby Union
Yeomen RFC Men’s 1st XV
At the end of each rugby year, Rugby Ontario and its community gathers to celebrate the recipients of the Annual Awards. Spanning athletes, coaches, match officials, clubs and volunteers, the Annual Awards are given to those who fulfill the nomination criteria and who encompass the values of rugby in Ontario.
2024 ANNUAL AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Senior Female Provincial Player of the Year
Lizzie Gibson
Senior Male Provincial Player of the Year
Austin Allen
Junior Female Provincial Player of the Year
Amber Edgerton
Junior Male Provincial Player of the Year
Briar Barron
Senior Female Club Player of the Year
Natalie Armatage – Guelph RFC
Senior Male Club Player of the Year
Melvin Alexis – Peterborough Pagans RFC
Female Club Coach of the Year
Jessie-Ann Gibson – Guelph RFC
Male Club Coach of the Year
Damien Benedict – Toronto City Rugby Club
Junior Female Club Program of the Year
Belleville Bulldogs RFC
Junior Male Club Program of the Year
Toronto Nomads
Minor Club Program of the Year
Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club
Volunteer of the Year
Khalil Ajram – Aurora Barbarians RFC
Senior Match Official of the Year
Talal Chaudhry
Junior Match Official of the Year
Luca Iacovelli