Alberta-bound! St. Albert RFC Starts the CRF’s 95th Fund

Posted on September 6, 2026September 6, 2026 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce that the St. Albert Rugby Club has established the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s 95th fund, the St. Albert Rugby Legacy Fund at the end of August 2026.

ST. ALBERT RFC

Rugby was first introduced in St. Albert at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary School in 1961-62 by Welshman Myrddin Jones. However, when Myrddin moved away, the program ceased. The game was resurrected in St. Albert when Roger Scott, a physical education teacher at Paul Kane High School, requested help to start a rugby team in 1980. This was followed in 1981 with the founding of the St. Albert Rugby Club and in 1982, the club’s first game within the Edmonton Rugby Union.

In 1989, after progressing from St. Albert won the Edmonton Rugby Union 1st Division Championship.

On the administrative side, SARFC made a presentation to City Council for thirteen acres of land for playing fields and a clubhouse. They were successful in obtaining a 25-year lease with the fields being levelled, top soiled and seeded in 1983 and available for use in 1985. After obtaining a federal grant in 1983, the plans to start building a clubhouse were underway. The clubhouse officially opened in February 1985.

The club is located in St. Albert, AB just north of Edmonton and currently has over 500 playing members from U5 to Masters. The objective is to have this endowment fund will better support the club’s rugby programs long-term. As of 2026, the club is entering its 45th year , and the goal is to build a 5-year plan with the membership to grow the fund ahead of the St. Albert RFC’s 50th Anniversary in 2031.

ST. ALBERT RUGBY LEGACY FUND

The St. Albert Rugby Legacy Fund was established in August 2026. It is intended to provide funding from its endowment that continues the objects of the St. Albert Rugby Football Club (Fund Sponsor) and are consistent with the broad objects and purposes of the St. Albert Rugby Football Club, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation, to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting all CRA requirements.

During the first five (5) years following the Fund’s creation, the club has the option of splitting all new donations into two parts:

1. 50% of donations into the permanent endowment portion of the Fund. These donations are eligible for the Foundation’s matching contributions (25% of donations to a maximum of $25,000).

2. A maximum of 50% into a portion of the Fund that is available for annual operating expenses as listed below. This is only available for new funds in their first five years while the fund is at an embryonic stage, and where the needs of the club’s operations need to be balanced with the long-term needs of the club’s sustainability. These donations are not eligible for the matching contributions.

The following are examples of the kinds of projects or uses for which a grant may be approved.

Encouraging, promoting and fostering the sport of rugby union football in St. Albert and surrounding districts.
Providing and maintaining the uniforms, equipment, coaching, training and playing facilities required by the sport.

TO HELP REACH THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOAL, GO HERE TO DONATE TO THE ST. ALBERT RUGBY LEGACY FUND:

Kaitlin Tetteh-Wayoe Wins 2026 Judy Seddon Memorial Award

Posted on September 2, 2026September 2, 2026 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2026 ludy Seddon Memorial Award, honoring the
enduring legacy of Alberta’s beloved “Rugby Mom.” This year’s award goes to Kaitlin Tetteh-Wayoe, a
remarkable individual whose dedication to sport, education, and community embodies Judy’s
commitment to the sport of rugby and community service. As Kaitlin wrote in her own application, her
goal is to give others the chance to find belonging, community, and happiness – “just as Judy’s legacy
gave that opportunity to me.”

A passionate athlete and mentor, Kaitlin returned to rugby with the University of Alberta Pandas this
past year after taking a break from university basketball, quickly earning Rookie of the Year honors and
helping the team to a U SPORTS bronze medal. She channels that same passion into coaching, mentoring
young athletes at University of Alberta summer camps and co-coaching the Riverbend Junior High flag
rugby team to a city championship, continuing Judy’s tradition of nurturing future generations of
players.

This past spring, Kaitlin was selected for the Canada U21 tour, competing with distinction on the
national stage. Beyond the field, she has been an active voice for her sport off it as well: she volunteered
on the University of Alberta Athletics Board, helping the student-led campaign successfully secure the
2026 Legacy Fund and $52 million in continued funding for the university’s athletics program, including
women’s rugby – leadership that reflects the values Judy championed throughout her decades of
contributions to rugby in Alberta.

Academically, Kaitlin has qualified as a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, balancing the demands of elite
athletics with strong performance in her Kinesiology – Sports Performance studies at the University of
Alberta.

The Judy Seddon Memorial Award will support her continued academic, athletic, and coaching pursuits,
enabling her to keep building the community and belonging that rugby gave her – furthering Judy’s
legacy for the next generation of women’s rugby in Alberta.

Please join us in celebrating this outstanding recipient and the lasting impact of Judy Seddon’s legacy.

INSTAGRAM…WHAT’S IN A NAME

Posted on August 11, 2026August 11, 2026 by Jeff

We have relaunched our Instagram account with a (slightly) new name: @canadianrugbyfoundation.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” — Juliet Capulet

If you followed us previously, or want to start getting updates on what we’re up to, please follow!

C..O.R.E. (Central Okanagan Rugby Enthusiasts) Fund Presents 2026 Awards

Posted on July 16, 2026September 6, 2026 by Jeff

C.O.R.E. stands for Central Okanagan Rugby Enthusiasts, a non-profit organization focused on developing grassroots rugby in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. C.O.R.O. partners with local schools and clubs to establish player development pathways and provide financial support to young athletes through scholarships and bursaries.

The C.O.R.E. Endowment Fund continues to provide graduating Central Okanagan rugby players with funds to help them with their transition to post-secondary education. This year, $1,000 was awarded to each of five local graduates. The recipients are:

Grady Curran (KSS) – attending University of Victoria next year to begin the path of becoming a lawyer. “I’m determined to make the most of my opportunities at UVic and prove that your support is making a difference. Thank you for investing in my future.”
Everett Pinkoski (RSS) – pursuing an Environmental and Forest Science degree at UBC or UBCO. “Rugby has developed me as a person, player, and teammate and created an aspiration to play at the international level. Entering into post-secondary, I understand the demands of rugby and school but I am motivated to take on both.”
Kai Reynolds (KSS) – pursuing a career in either engineering or nursing. “I hope to continue playing and coaching rugby in the future, and I look forward to using what I have learned from the sport in my everyday life.”
Vann Richmond (RSS) – pursuing a Bachelor of Science and a subsequent leadership related degree to work in the healthcare industry. “I decided to fully commit myself to rugby after falling in love with the game through my school team. I joined the Kelowna Crows where I fell even more in love with the community.”
Carson Venning (KSS) – attending University of Guelph next year to study criminology. “I will be trying out for the Gryphons rugby team. This award will assist me greatly in meeting my educational goals.”

In addition, the Courtney Walls Award was given to Grady Curran, captain of the KSS team. He demonstrated many of Courtney’s characteristics – a quality rugby player, a good leader, good grades, and respect from his teammates and teachers. In his thank you note, Grady wrote, “Being recognized for this award means the world to me. I’ve been fortunate to have so many people support me, and now to be acknowledged feels like a dream come true.”

The C.O.R.E. Endowment Fund remains healthy, with more than $106,000 managed by the Canadian Rugby Foundation on our behalf.

George Owens Selected 2026 Dave Huang Memorial Award Winner

Posted on June 12, 2026June 12, 2026 by Jeff

Huge congratulations to George Owens of Sutherland Secondary School, this year’s recipient of the Dave Huang Memorial Award!

Mike Kilgallin, David Rae, and Aaron Mittler
presenting George Owens with trophy and a $5,000 check.

Selected from a standout group of candidates, George excels in academics, music, and community leadership. His rugby career began in Grade 6 with the Capilano Rugby Club and has since taken him to the representative level with Vancouver North and Team BC. A natural captain, he was recently honored with the Bruce Bowman Spirit Award for his on-field leadership.

George is just as impressive off the field, maintaining a 90%+ academic average through Grades 10–12 ahead of pursuing an Engineering degree. Deeply committed to giving back, he even built his Capstone project around a youth rugby initiative while coaching his school’s bantam team all the way to the city championship final.

We can’t wait to see where George’s future endeavours take him!

Dara Parker Named Director of the Canadian Rugby Foundation

Posted on May 11, 2026June 28, 2026 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dara Parker as a Director of the Canadian Rugby Foundation. Dara was recently elected Rugby Canada’s representative on the Foundation’s Board of Directors at the Rugby Canada AGM. As Rugby Canada Chair Kathleen McGinn said in her notification to us,

“Dara is a seasoned social impact executive with more than two decades of leadership experience across philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and purpose-driven organizations. She currently serves as CEO of Toniic, a global community of private asset owners stewarding their wealth and influence in service of a thriving world. Dara is widely recognized for her ability to guide organizations through growth, for her capacity to mobilize capital, talent, and community in service of lasting impact and for talent as a trusted strategist and systems thinker.

Previously, Dara held senior leadership roles at some of British Columbia’s most respected organisations, including Vice-President, Grants and Community Initiatives at the Vancouver Foundation, where she oversaw a substantial annual grantmaking portfolio and led a large team across the foundation’s community investment work. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Director of SVP Vancouver and Executive Director of QMUNITY, BC’s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Resource Centre. I have no doubt that Dara will make a lasting positive impact on the Foundation as you continue to grow and diversify your efforts.”

More details on Dara’s extensive governance background can be found on her LinkedIn profile here.

Dara assumes her new role with the CRF immediately and replaces Steve Swaffield, who has served as Rugby Canada’s representative on our Board for the last two years. We thank Steve for his contributions and support during his tenure, and hope he’ll continue to support the Foundation and our efforts in future as he moves on from both his role with the Foundation’s Board and the Rugby Canada Board.

Having problems donating to a fund?

Posted on May 6, 2026June 28, 2026 by Jeff

You may have encountered a problem when attempting to make a donation to one of the Foundation’s funds through the fund’s donation page.

Where you expect to submit information on the donation amount and payment method, you may see this image instead:

This may be due to a VPN you are using, and we are currently trying to resolve this issue with CanadaHelps.org. Try pausing your VPN if this is the case, refresh the page you are on, and try again. This may solve the problem temporarily.

However, you can still make youer donation directly through CanadaHelps Online here, using the pull down menu to find the name of your preferred fund.

And if you are making a donation over $1,000, we encourage you to make the donation directly to the Foundation to avoid the transaction fees charged by CanadaHelps. You can make a donation by:

Cheque c/o Canadian Rugby Foundation, 709 Yates St., PO Box 8003, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R7 with the Fund name in the memo line of the cheque and the donor’s name if it is written on a company cheque. Beware of any more Canada Post labour disputes, if you plan to send a cheque.

EFT/Interac: Send to payments@canadianrugbyfoundation.ca and also send email with the details of the deposit for tax and allocation purposes; i.e., Amount, Full Name, Address, and Fund name, to Breann King at cdnrugbyfoundation.financial@gmail.com

Bank wire transfer using the banking information and address below and also email Breann King with the details of the deposit for tax and allocation purposes; i.e., Amount, Full Name, Address, Fund Name at cdnrugbyfoundation.financial@gmail.com Wire information your bank may require: CIBC 3147 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C. Account No. #05030-7605617, Canadian Rugby Foundation, Bank No. # 010, Swift # CIBCCATT

Securities or mutual funds Go to: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/securities/donate for our Securities Donation or Mutual Fund Donation form with Leith Wheeler or email Jeff Chan

2026 CRF University Coaches Awards Announced

Posted on March 3, 2026March 6, 2026 by Jeff

Five men’s and women’s Canadian university rugby head and assistant coaches comprised the 2026 cadre attending the Crusaders Global Academy Accelerator Coaching program from May 20 through May 31, 2026, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Each had their program fees plus room and board paid, and travel costs and meals subsidised.

2026 Coaches Awardees

Selected by the Canadian Rugby Foundation and funded by its Unrestricted Fund and For the Love of the Game Fund are:

Matthew Bouchard – Head Coach, Carleton MRugby
Keegan Brantner – Ass’t Coach, Lethbridge WRugby
Janice Cougle – Head Coach, Saint Mary’s WRugby
Sean Tindall – Ass’t Coach, Calgary MRugby
Meaghan Wilson – Ass’t Coach, McMaster WRugby

NOTE:

The Canadian Rugby Foundation University Coaching Awards are an initiative of the Foundation’s University Rugby Supporters Fund to further develop university-level coaches’ program leadership, coaching expertise and technical ability. The focus of this initiative is on university coaches as we believe the men’s and women’s university rugby pathway is critical to the success of our senior teams and programs. A major goal of this award is for the coaches to use their learnings to enhance the technical skills of their university student-athletes AND to share that information with rugby coaches in their local and provincial rugby communities.

This award and arrangements with the Crusaders are administered by members of the Foundation’s University Rugby initiative committee, chaired by Dave Lougheed, with Mike Holmes, Doug Tate, Colette McAuley, and Jeff Chan.

What the Award Entails:

Selected coaches attend a 14-day program at the home of Crusaders Rugby in Christchurch, NZ (https://crusaders.co.nz/). For the 2026 program, five university coaches selected by the Foundation will join 2o international coaches in a program organised by the Crusaders Global Academy. The Crusaders are widely regarded as the top Super Rugby Pacific club (7 consecutive championships through June 2023 and a win in 2025), furnishing multiple players to the All Blacks, and most recently the former All-Blacks head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson. The Global Academy offers ongoing courses focused on players and this Coaches program.

CRF University Coaches Award Eligibility

A head or assistant coach of a CUMRC-eligible Men’s or U SPORTS Women’s university rugby team who:

Is a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or permanent resident.
Has a demonstrated commitment to developing their capabilities as a university rugby coach, and to the development and growth of rugby at their university/province.
Holds one of the following:
- World Rugby Level 3 certification,
- Completion of the Level 3 training,
- Level 2 certification, or completion of Level 2 training and awaiting the Level 2 evaluation. Those who have committed to and scheduled to completing Level 2 training before May 2026 are also eligible.

Selection Criteria:

A strong track record of success as a coach, and one who sets high professional standards.
Recognised as a developer of young people – both on and off the field – and as a mentor to other coaches and players.
Significant contributions to the rugby community – at the university, schools, and/or local, provincial or national teams.
Commitment to developing as a high-performance coach and can articulate their rugby coaching aspirations.
Strength of the application email demonstrating the above criteria, and of the references, which should include how the referee knows the coach and the basis on which the application of this coach for this opportunity is made (not just a general reference, such as a family friend).
5 candidates will be selected from across Canada, with a preference for representation from different regions of Canada, and both men’s and women’s rugby programs.

Doug Tate University Rugby Coach of the Year Award Fund Announced

Posted on February 13, 2026February 16, 2026 by Jeff

We are extremely pleased to announce that the national university men’s rugby Coach of the Year will henceforth be known as the Doug Tate University Rugby Coach of the Year, and that a new fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation has been established to support a $1,000 award for the annual Coach of the Year. Named in honour of legendary Canadian university rugby coach Doug Tate, the Doug Tate University Rugby Coach of the Year Award Fund was established in February 2026 to:

Recognise the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Head Coach of the Year; and
Honour Doug Tate’s contributions to university rugby in Canada in his roles as the long-time head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes, his prior time with the UBC Thunderbirds, and as a co-founder of the McTavish Cup, the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship

Who is Doug Tate?

In the Fall of 2018, Doug Tate entered his 25th year patrolling the Vikes sideline at Wallace Field as head coach of the four-time Canadian University champion men’s rugby team. The following season, at the 2019 McTavish Cup / Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship or CUMRC, hosted by Concordia University in Montreal, Doug’s Vikes team prevailed over the UBC Thunderbirds for the Gold Medal in a squeaker, 21-20. What a way to go into retirement!

Tate can also boast a tremendous track record of success against those UBC Thunderbirds prior to 2019. The two schools meet in annual rivalry game to play for the Wightman Boot trophy. Tate led the Vikes to a 16-year winning streak in the series with an overall won-loss record of 35-4-1 leading into 2014. In 2009-10, the Vikes won the two-game series by a record margin of 94 points.

With Tate at the helm, the Vikes had previously won back-to-back Canadian university invitational titles in 1997 and ’98. Tate also led the Vikes to BC Rugby Premier Division Championships in 2003 and 2010, and in 2011 the Vikes captured their ninth Barnard Cup as Island champs with a 23-18 upset of James Bay.

Countless Vikes players under Tate have suited up for National XVs and Sevens teams. In 2009, six Vikes represented Canada at the senior men’s XVs level, four played for the senior men’s 7s squad, five competed in the Junior World Rugby Trophy and two Vikes were on the FISU World Rugby Sevens squad that ventured to Portugal.

Tate himself is familiar with the international stage. He was head of Canada’s National Rugby Sevens team for five years (1997-02) and served as the Technical Director for the Canadian National Sevens Team during 2008 tour stops in San Diego, Hong Kong and Adelaide, Australia. Tate also coached Canada at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Tate’s playing career saw him suit up at the club, provincial and national level. The Vancouver native was a member of the 1981 Canadian National Team that toured to Argentina, as well as competing for UBC at the varsity level.

Along with coaching the Premier team, Tate has also managed the Vikes first division team, the Norsemen, as well as the Vikes development team, the Jutes. Tate is a Certified Master Coach courtesy of the National Coaching Institute. He also has Bachelor and Masters degrees in Education, and has taught at UVic in the Master of Education in Coaching Studies (MEd CS) program, providing students with a background in the art and science involved in coaching sport. He is currently the Coach Education Manager for the BCRU.

However, Doug’s most impactful victories were recorded off the pitch. The growth of players into responsible and thoughtful young men through their involvement in a physically demanding yet caring and humour-filled team environment was the lasting result of Doug’s legacy.

For Doug, the door was always open, and, whether a player was the star of the team or a third division workhorse, his time and compassion were the same. At the start of each season often close to a hundred players turned up to play and none were ever turned away except by their own choice. This was the essence of Doug’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive program for all. He never failed to give of his time to any who asked his help.

During this time, Doug was a committed family man and, along with wife Tami, successfully raised two fine young men, Morgan and Brayden, who both embraced his passion for the sport.

Following a highly decorated career spanning over 40 years, including his 27 years as UVic head coach, Tate was the recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Sport Leadership Awards Gala.

The Gala celebrates outstanding achievements in coaching and sport development and honours coaches who exemplify the values and competencies of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and their positive impact within Canada’s sport system. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a lifelong commitment to coaching and coach development. The award is presented to an outstanding individual who has positively influenced the growth of coaching in Canada, contributed significantly to the sport community, shown dedication to upholding the values of the NCCP, and inspired future generations of coaches.

Doug was a founder of the McTavish Cup in 2017 with Jeff Chan, Mike Holmes and Keith Labbett, and continues on its Governing Council.

He is also a founding member of the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s University Coaching Awards Committee, which provides funding to selected university rugby coaches for the Crusaders Global Academy in Christchurch, NZ.

Needless to say, Doug’s dedication to rugby , and coaching in Canada is second to none.

MAJOR TEAM AWARDS:

Rounsfell Cup – B.C. PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: 1971, 2003, 2010
Barnard Cup – Vancouver Island Elite Division Title: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1987, 2003, 2006, 2009
Canadian University Invitational Championship: 1997, 1998
University 7s Championship: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016
McTavish Cup/CUMRC: 2019

The Award

The award is presented to the national Men’s Rugby Coach of the Year at the McTavish Cup Awards Ceremony and includes a trophy and a $1,000 financial honorarium for the honoured coach.

Selection and Presentation

The selection of the national Coach of the Year is based on the regular-season achievements of the coach, as voted on from among the conference Coaches of the Year. The selection process is organised through the McTavish Cup/CUMRC Board once the conference coaches have been selected, and before the McTavish Cup Awards ceremonies.

TO HELP HONOUR DOUG’S COACHING LEGACY, AND DONATE TO THE DOUG TATE UNIVERSITY RUGBY COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FUND, GO HERE: