RUGBY ONTARIO
Rugby Ontario is the provincial sport governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to lead, support and promote “Rugby For All” from communities to clubs to province. This mission signals a movement towards creating a more cohesive, supportive and progressive sporting environment that is responsive to the needs of all members. The organization is responsible for leading various provincial and high performance programs, including representative teams for junior/age grade boy’s and girl’s as well as senior women’s and men’s programs.
Rugby Ontario now has 61 registered clubs, organized into four branches, with 13,367 registered players of all ages, 556 registered coaches, and 276 registered match officials.
THE FUND
Rugby Ontario’s Endowment Fund – The Accelerator Fund – was announced on January 12, 2026 and formally established in June 2026. The announcement follows:
Rugby Ontario is proud to announce the creation of the Rugby Ontario Endowment Fund (now the Accelerator Fund), a major milestone marking the next phase in the organisation’s long-term strategy to strengthen the sport’s sustainability, accessibility and pathways across the province.
The endowment fund will be established with an initial $200,000 investment from Rugby Ontario. This landmark move comes after several years of financial recovery, disciplined planning, and strategic governance following the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through steadfast commitment to responsible stewardship and long-term vision, Rugby Ontario is now positioned to take this progressive step toward supporting generations of athletes, coaches and match officials across Ontario.
The purpose of the endowment fund is to reduce and ultimately eliminate financial barriers for athletes pursuing provincial and national representation, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to rugby development. The fund will also support developing coaches and match officials, and broadly advance initiatives that strengthen Rugby Ontario’s mission to make rugby the most inclusive sport in Ontario.
A Vision for the Future of Rugby
“This is a transformative moment for Rugby Ontario,” said Marius Felix, Chair of the Board of Directors. “For decades, the pay-to-play model has created obstacles for many talented athletes. Establishing this endowment is a clear and meaningful step toward a future where opportunity in rugby is determined by passion, commitment and performance – not by financial means.”
Claude Germain, Treasurer of Rugby Ontario, emphasized the strategic nature of this decision: “Our Board and executive leadership team has worked diligently to stabilize and grow the organization’s financial foundation. The endowment is both a testament to that progress and an investment in the future. It will provide predictable, sustainable support year after year, benefitting athletes and leaders across the sport.”
Rugby Ontario CEO Myles Spencer highlighted the impact on the development and performance pathway: “We want every aspiring athlete, coach and match official in Ontario to know that their ambitions matter. This fund will help remove long-standing barriers and ensure that our provincial and national teams and leaders reflect the full potential of our community.”
Accelerator Endowment Fund Steering Committee
A fund steering committee has been established that will play a pivotal role in shaping the fund’s structure, governance and long-term impact. The Steering Committee will be responsible for:
- Establishing eligibility criteria and the program charter for annual beneficiaries;
- Managing and vetting applications, and selecting donees;
- Leading fundraising efforts to grow the endowment over time; and,
- Reporting on the impact made possible through endowment-supported initiatives.
The inaugural steering committee consists of:
- Leigh Tynan
- Chris Thomas
- Everest Bezati
The Accelerator Fund is intended to provide funding from its endowment that continues the objects of Rugby Ontario (Fund Sponsor) and are consistent with the broad objects and purposes of Rugby Ontario, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting all CRA requirements.
The following are examples of the kinds of projects or uses for which a grant may be approved.
OPERATING EXPENSES including any of the following:
- Player assistance and bursaries / awards (e.g. reduce/remove pay-to-play)
- Match Official (Referee) assistance
- Coach assistance
- Competitions
- Facilities
- Labour expense
- Administration
- Equipment
TO SUPPORT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FUND, AND TO MAKE A DONATION, GO HERE:
