by: Brian Barker
The Toronto District School Board is welcoming a new sanctioned sport to its athletics fold.
Voting members of Toronto’s 86 public high schools officially approved rugby sevens in June.
The results, 89 percent in favour, have pleased Don Mills Collegiate’s Daniel Kunanec who has been championing on behalf of 1,091 student rugby players.Continue reading
Submitted by Meghan Mutrie
A thrilling weekend of rugby saw a new champion claim the National Women’s League title and was also a chance for the third annual Colette McAuley Award to be presented.Continue reading
June 15 – Calgary/Regina/Vancouver
Canadian football will return to its roots in 2011 by showcasing rugby during halftime at select Canadian Football League (“CFL”) games. Canadian football developed from rugby; the Grey Cup, first presented in 1909, was the reward to recognize the top amateur rugby football team in Canada.Continue reading
by TOM KENNEDY
Hong Kong has proved to be a successful sevens tour stop for Canadian rugby in more ways than one. Not only did the Canadian women win the championship and the men take home the Bowl, but the Canadian Rugby Foundation has bolstered support with $100,000 raised for an endowment fund. For all these reasons, CRF’s Matthuw Ronald-Jones celebrated the weekend as one of great success in the Canadian rugby sevens annals. “I would say it’s one of the best weekends,” Ronald-Jones said. “The men defended their bowl title and the women won the competition. The teams have done a great job of garnering support.”Continue reading
On Saturday, November 22nd in Kelowna, BC the Central Okanagan Rugby Enthusiasts (CORE) Society held their first Annual AGM. The highlight of the evening was the official presenting Caps to Gary Grant who earned his first cap against England Under-23 on June 4th, 1977 and to Barry Ebl who earned his first cap against New Zealand on April 22nd, 1995. Former Canadian Captain Pat Aldous who also volunteers on the Canadian Rugby Foundation and Rugby Canada Board of Directors presented the caps to each of the gentlemen.Continue reading
Congratulations to the following 6 men: Connor Braid, Mitch Gudgeon, Jeremy Kyne, Jamie MacKenzie, Taylor Paris and John Phelan who earned their first Cap in an international test match for Canada against Belgium on Saturday, November 6th, 2010. Best of luck to them and all their team mates on the Fall European Tour.
On August 19th the Balmy Beach Club, with cooperation from Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation hosted a Tribute to BBCC Canadian Representative Players. The event was held at the historic and picturesque Balmy Beach Club steeped in Rugby history. The thrust of the evening centered on the capping ceremony for those BBCC players who had not yet received their CRF caps. With the backdrop of a wall of framed jerseys showcasing the tradition of BBCC players representing Canada at all levels; Scott Bryan, Scott Hendry, Matt King, Anthony McGann, Boris Stoikos and Jeff Tomlinson received their CRF caps surrounded by their families, friends and teammates.Anyone who has been around the game of rugby will tell you that it has a high level of respect and community involvement. On and off the field players show each other respect and encouragement, and this support is carried on long after the final whistle. Rugby Canada’s motto that unites players from St. John’s to Victoria is ‘Together and Strong’ and the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s support is benefiting players across the nation.Continue reading
During halftime of the very wet Russia/Canada game this past weekend at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC, the Canadian Rugby Foundation was very fortunate to be able to “officially” cap 4 Canadian players that proudly wore the maple leaf on their chest in the past.
John Cannon, Garth Cooke, Ian Kennedy and David Speirs braved the elements to be presented their cap from Rugby Canada’s Chairman of the Board, Rick Bourne and the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s Executive Director, Matthuw Ronald-Jones.Continue reading