WESTERN WOMEN’S RUGBY ALUMNI START A NEW FUND

Posted on March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 by Jeff

WESTERN WOMEN’S RUGBY ALUMNI START A NEW FUND

Fresh off an appearance in the 2024 OUA Women’s Rugby semi-final, the Western University Women’s Rugby team’s alumni and supporters have established a new fund with the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

The Western Women’s Rugby Alumni Fund is intended to provide funding to further the objectives of the Western University Women’s Rugby team and is consistent with the broad objects and purposes of Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation, to develop and grow rugby across Canada, while meeting all CRA requirements.

The Fund has been launched as an initiative of the current (2024) Women’s Rugby coaches and alumni/alumnae to provide a vehicle for soliciting tax receipt-eligible donations to financially support the Women’s Rugby program – including the Varsity team and development activities – all to enable the team to regain its competitiveness in the OUA and at U SPORTS Rugby Nationals in future.

The fund will address critical needs including but not limited to recruiting support, coach remuneration, player awards and financial support, and player and coach development, from earnings on its endowment, new donations, and the Foundation’s 25% matching contribution program which can add up to $20,000 in additional assets to the fund.

TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE WESTERN WOMEN’S RUGBY ALUMNI FUND, GO HERE:

Hornby Island’s Lone Oak Legends Fund Launches

Posted on December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 by Jeff

December 9th saw the launch of the Lone Oak Legends Fund on Horny Island, BC. The initiative of Mike Holmes who was also the architect of the LOne Oak Legends Rugby Club based on Horny Island, the fund was established to help provide youth rugby experiences and support the growth of junior rugby on Hornby Island by funding new rugby programs and activities from its endowment, and is consistent with the broad objectives and purposes of the Lone Oak Legends Rugby Club, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation, to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting all CRA requirements.

The Lone Oak Legends Club was dreamt up by Mike & Harry Holmes, was brought to life by Clay Panga and Wildy Holmes as the ultimate COVID-19 rugby project. The goal was to build a small rugby field and a timber frame clubhouse on beautiful Hornby Island. The field will be used to promote rugby in partnership with BC Grassroots Rugby, and to offer rugby opportunities to young children of all backgrounds. Numerous well-known figures in BC and the Islands rugby community put in their sweat equity to make the new field and clubhouse a reality.

THE SITE

RAISING THE UPRIGHTS

VOLUNTEERS ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR

A full description of the Lone Oak Legends Club and the development of its field and clubhouse were chronicled in the CastawayWanderers blog

TO DONATE TO THE LONE OAK LEGENDS FUND, AND SUPPORT THE CLUB’S EFFORTS TO BRING YOUTH RUGBY TO HORNBY ISLAND GO HERE:

2025 CRF University Coaches Awards Announced

Posted on December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 by Jeff

The following 8 University Men’s and Women’s Rugby Coaches have been selected to the 2025 Canadian team attending the Crusaders International Academy Accelerator Coaching program from May 12 through Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Each will have their program fees plus hotel paid, and travel and meal costs subsidized. These coaches follow the group of 11 coaches who went to the Crusaders program last year as part of either the Foundation’s selected University Coaches Awards or BC Rugby’s Gerald McGavin Coaching Awards.

SELECTED COACHES

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

Adam Anshan, Head Coach, MRugby, Dalhousie U
Thibault Beudin, Ass’t Head Coach, MRugby, U Montreal
Stuart Crowley, Ass’t Coach, M&WRugby, Trinity Western U
Jayne Isherwood, Ass’t Coach, WRugby, U Calgary
Dave Luong, Head Coach, WRugby, Carleton U
Graeme Moffat, Head Coach, WRugby, U Lethbridge
James O’Neil, Ass’t Coach, MRugby, U Calgary
Matt Parrish, Head Coach, WRugby, U Alberta

Our congratulations to all eight coaches!

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Canadian Rugby Foundation University Coaching Award is an initiative of the Foundation’s University Rugby Supporters Fund to further develop university-level coaches’ program leadership, coaching expertise and technical abilities. The focus of this initiative is on university coaches as we and our lead donors believe the university men’s and women’s rugby pathway is critical to the success of our senior teams and programs. The major goals of this award are for the coaches to 1) continue to develop their coaching careers and credentials, 2) use their learnings to enhance the technical skills of their own university student-athletes and coaching colleagues, and 3) share that information with rugby coaches in their local and provincial rugby communities.

The award is administered by members of the Foundation’s University Rugby Initiative committee, consisting of Dave Lougheed, Doug Tate, Colette McAuley, Mike Holmes, and Jeff Chan.

WHAT THE AWARD ENTAILS

Eligible coaches are head or assistant coaches with a CUMRC-eligible Men’s Rugby program or a U SPORTS Women’s Rugby program with their World Rugby Level 2 Coaching Certification completed or committed, and working to get their Level 3 training and certification accelerated. The selected coaches attend a 13-day program at the home of Crusaders Rugby in Christchurch, NZ (https://crusaders.co.nz/)

The eight university coaches selected by the Foundation, will join 17 international coaches in a program organized by the Crusaders International Academy. The Crusaders are widely regarded as New Zealand’s top Super Rugby club (7 consecutive championships through June 2023), furnishing multiple players to the All Blacks, and most recently the All Blacks head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson.

2024 Lt. Colonel W.D.C. Holmes University Awards Presented

Posted on December 6, 2024December 9, 2024 by Jeff

The 2024 Lt. Colonel W.D.C. Holmes University Awards were presented last month at the U SPORTS Women’s Rugby National Championship in Charlottetown PEI, and the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Lt. Colonel W.D.C. Holmes University Awards were established by Foundation Chair Mike Holmes to honour his late father W.D.C. “Desmond” Holmes who won the sword of honour at RMC in 1942 before embarking on a distinguished career in the British Army during and after World War II, during which time he was awarded the Military Cross.

At each of the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship and the U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Nationals, 8 rugby student-athletes are recognized for their off-field contributions to the game of rugby at their university and community in the past year, and awarded $500 towards their Athletic Financial Award (AFA) from the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s For the Love of the Game Fund. Examples of factors to be considered include organizing community events involving the team, mentoring younger players, volunteering with their home rugby club or at the community in which the university is located, volunteering as a club executive or an official at any level, and providing off-the-field leadership on the university team. The selections are based on the nomination by the head coach of each of the 16 participating teams and presented at the two tournaments at the awards banquet or whenever is deemed most practical by the host organizing committee.

MEN’S AWARDS

Cameron MacPhail, Memorial University Sea Hawks

Photo: Charles Fortin

This recipient is a senior member and leader on their team. He works directly with the young members of his team, among others, to promote their strength and conditioning program. Additionally, he has helped kickstart a grassroots campaign to start minis rugby in rural Newfoundland.

Sacha Laroche, l’École de technologie supérieure (ETS) Piranhas

Photo: Charles Fortin

Cet athlète incarne parfaitement l’esprit du Prix Holmes : un équilibre exceptionnel entre l’excellence athlétique, la réussite académique et l’engagement communautaire. Son leadership et son dévouement font de lui un modèle pour les futurs gestionnaires et administrateurs du rugby canadien. En tant qu’éducateur pour le programme Rookie Rugby, Sacha promote le rugby dans les écoles secondaires, soutenu par Rugby Québec et le RSEQ. Il organise également des activités sportives lors des visites scolaires à l’ÉTS.

Will Corry, Ottawa Gee Gees

Photo: Charles Fortin

This recipient exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. Balancing the commitments of High-Performance Rugby with his Nursing placement at the hospital while holding a spot on the Team’s Executive Board. This individual always takes care of his teammates on and off the pitch, as well as the lives of others in the community.

James Webb, Queen ‘s Gaels

Photo: Charles Fortin

This athlete has dedicated their time to organize and support their program’s Run for the Cure initiative, which has directly resulted in raising $25,000 for cancer research. Showcasing a passion for charitable giving while balancing priorities on the pitch.

Jakob Schulz, Guelph Gryphons

Photo: Charles Fortin

This individual has been a leader in organizing team fundraising campaigns for both program support and charitable efforts.  This year, this athlete has been behind the team’s Movember campaign.  Additionally, he has been a leader within our program, previously captaining our second team and now a member of our leadership group

Patrick Williams, UBC Okanagan Heat

Photo: Charles Fortin

This athlete has been selected for his leadership on and off the field as this year’s team captain. He has organized fundraisers for our self-funded program, workout sessions, team bonding activities, and led film sessions when coaches are unavailable. He is a volunteer coach with the Jr. Heat Rugby Development Academy. He also plays an important role on the Heat Athletic Council – a student run organization that represents student athlete needs on campus, while also running large portions of the team’s social media.

Jacob Bourne, UBC Thunderbirds

This next athlete consistently gives back to the community as a volunteer coach for youth rugby programs. He is also heavily involved in environmental stewardship work with Mossum Creek Hatchery in Port Moody and Haidagwaii Salmon Unlimited Society.

Merlin M’Cloud, Victoria Vikes

Photo: Charles Fortin

This recipient was a natural choice for this award. As a quiet leader who leads by example, he takes on the toughest tasks on the rugby field with grit and resilience, inspiring his teammates to give that little bit extra. Off the field, this athlete is the first to step up when help is needed, showing kindness, dedication, and loyalty. His teammates recognized these qualities by electing him as captain for his final year with the Vikes.

WOMEN’S AWARDS

8 Holmes Award winners with CRF Board member Colette McAuley

Corinne Fréchette, Laval Rouge et Or

Corinne est extrêmement impliquée dans le développement du rugby auprès des jeunes femmes de la région. Elle a coordonné les activités de l’Académie Rouge et Or pour les jeunes de 6 à 17 ans l’été dernier, en plus d’organiser les finales provinciales juniors. Elle était également impliquée comme entraîneure dans les académies civiles. Finalement, elle a travaillé avec Fillactive, un organisme visant à promouvoir l’activité physique chez les filles de 12 à 17 ans

Marley Magnusson, Ottawa Gee Gees

A graduate of Nepean High School (Ottawa) she continues to coach her high school every season creating one of the stronger programs in the City. Marley is a player with the Ottawa Irish, East Ontario U19 and Ontario East. Marley is the first to volunteer in supporting any community events and was instrumental in creating a U18 camp at uOttawa where Jack Hanratty was guest coach complete with Olympic Silver Medal. Marley is a true champion of rugby, and a wonderful young woman opening doors for the next generation !!

Lauryn Bons, Queen’s Gaels

Lauryn has been an active member of the rugby coaching community, devoting her time and energy to both her local club (Peterborough Pagans), the Toronto Rugby Union, as an Assistant Coach (Soports Psychology) with the Queen’s Men’s Rugby team, and has supported provincial and national boys and girls age-grade programs.

Mackayla Valley, Guelph Gryphons

“Mackayla Valley is deeply committed to rugby both as a player and as a coach. She began her rugby career in grade 10 and quickly fell in love with the sport. She first represented Ontario at the U16 level and was invited to the Canada U20 Top 40 camp in 2023. She is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of rugby players. For the past few years, she has volunteered with the Jr Gryphons Rugby Development Academy and the Guelph Rugby Club U16 girls’ team. Working with these athletes was a fulfilling experience as she helped them develop both their skills and their confidence on the field.”

Jordan McLeod, UBC Thunderbirds

Jordan has been an exceptional student athlete throughout her time at UBC earning Academic All-Canadian awards as well as All Star nominations. Jordan is generous with her time volunteering with the UBC Youth Academy spending her weekends teaching the benefits of strength and conditioning for athletic development. As a female S&C coach it is great to have her as a role model in this space. Beyond this she volunteers her time to build programs, engage with youth in a variety of other sports as well as lead our warm up and recovery space for our 7s program. Her off field leadership and mentorship of younger athletes on the team who are in Kinesiology is remarkable. You will be hard pressed to find a more hardworking and motivated individual.

Soleil Brooks, Victoria Vikes

Soleil is heavily involved in the rugby community with a focus on empowering Black and Indigenous youth through rugby. Soleil is involved with Thunder Rugby: an organization that connects indigenous youth with their culture through rugby and BC grassroots rugby: an organization providing rugby across BC to diverse communities promoting the sport. Soleil was recently chosen to attend the Grassroots to Global Forum ran by ChildFund rugby and Gallagher to promote women in coaching. This year Soleil has also taken on the Direct of Mini Rugby role at her club Westshore RFC. Soleil’s work extends outside of rugby and to the wider sport community and university as well. Soleil started the UVic Collective for BIPOC Student Athletes at UVic to create a space where athletes of colour can come together to impact the greater Victoria community in a positive way and find community. Soleil has also been integral to advising the varsity department on supporting student athletes of color by working with the athletec director and speaking at the coaching advance to all of the varsity coaches and staff on how to improve the experiences of racialized athletes at Uvic. Finally Soleil is working as a research assistant to create a framework to improve varsity experiences not only at Uvic but across Victoria from youth sport to performance sport.

Emma MacLean, UPEI Panthers

Emma has been an integral member of the Panthers since her rookie season in 2020. She’s maintained a strong academic GPA and has been a starter at the flanker position each year, earning back to back AUS all stars and has captained the team the past two seasons. Emma is one of the most competitive and committed players on the team, always striving for her and the team to improve technically and tactically. She is our most physical player on both sides of the ball, as a tackler, as a ball carrier and we wouldn’t be the same team without her on the pitch. I am extremely pleased and proud to nominate Emma Maclean for the 2024 Lt. Colonel W.D.C. Holmes award.

Brooke Reid, Acadia Axewomen

Brooke is an exceptional student-athlete. She is a co-captain of the Acadia University varsity rugby team. She has been nominated several times for conference all-star and major award recognition in the AUS. She is a leader in community rugby development having helped develop a brand-new rugby program and competitive team at a local rural high school in Nova Scotia. Without the generous sharing of her time and energy, this school team could not have happened; Brooke has helped open the door to rugby opportunities for many youth in Nova Scotia.

Peterborough Rugby Starts New Fund

Posted on December 4, 2024December 4, 2024 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce that the Peterborough Rugby Club has established a new CRF fund as of November 30, 2024. The club’s roots date back to the turn of the century…the 19th century that is. In 1899, Ireland toured Canada and played a team from Peterborough. Interestingly, the game was played at Nicholl’s Oval, the same location that is the home of Peterborough Rugby today.

In 1956 a team, the Peterborough Rugby Union Football Club was formed. The team began play in 1957, primarily against teams in Toronto. The focus for the club was to gradually expand from its immigrant roots to develop a base of Canadian players and to get rugby into local schools. The inception of Trent University in the 1960’s with its rugby program also helped the club’s development. In 1970, the club formally adopted its current team name, the Peterborough Pagans.

In 1980, a separate old timers’ club – the Krocks – was established for the noncompetitive over-35 crowd. In 1990, the Pagans and the Krocks joined together to form an umbrella organization, the Peterborough Rugby Union Football Club. The joint organization provided a more efficient organization to grow and manage rugby in the community.

In the late 1980’s the club began to expand – first a men’s 2nd team, then a junior boys team, then a women’s team, then complete programs for junior girls and junior boys. Today, the club has programs for female and male from under 6, through every age group up to men and women, with 3 men’s and 2 women’s teams. The club is nearly divided equally between
female and male, with a brand new co-ed Mixed Ability team in 2023. It is among the largest clubs in Ontario.

The playing quality of the club has also grown. Both of our senior teams play in the top leagues in Ontario. The club has had numerous players represent the province. As well, four club players have gone on to play for Canada – Barbara Mervin, Brian McCarthy, Hannah Darling and Kal Sager.

In 2010, the City of Peterborough offered the club an opportunity to develop what they had long wanted – their own clubhouse. This was the Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, built in 1930, which would have to be moved to Nicholls’ Oval. The club took ownership of the building in 2011.

In spring 2011 the Clubhouse was moved to Nicholls’ in 3 parts. Construction started in 2011 to re-connect the parts and build a large basement with six change rooms and showers. The construction was complicated, and costs went over budget, but construction was completed in 2013. In 2023, after a difficult financial period, Peterborough Rugby had fully paid all Clubhouse loans.

PETERBOROUGH RUGBY ENDOWMENT FUND

The Peterborough Rugby Endowment Fund was established in November 2024 with the Canadian Rugby Foundation. The Fund is intended to provide funding from its endowment and donations that continue the objects of the Peterborough Rugby Union Football Club Inc. (Fund Sponsor) and are consistent with the broad objects and purposes of the Peterborough Rugby Union Football Club Inc., Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting all CRA requirements.

To support the Peterborough Rugby Club and to donate to the Peterborough Rugby Endowment Fund, go here.

In Case of Strike

Posted on December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 by Jeff

With the year-end deadline for personal charitable donations converging with the current 2024 Canada Post strike, it may be time to remind our potential donors there are a number of ways in which donations by mail can be avoided.

The most common method for smaller (less than $1,000) donations is on our CanadaHelps.org online platform. Donations can be made here by credit or debit card and PayPal. We say smaller because there is a CanadasHelps transaction fee we should avoid for larger donations which reduces the net amount contributed to the Foundation or an individual fund.

When the posties are working, cheques can be mailed to our P.O. Box here:

Canadian Rugby Foundation
709 Yates St., PO Box 8003
Victoria, BC, V8W 3R7

An alternate address for couriered cheques is:

Canadian Rugby Foundation
150-805 Cloverdale Ave.,
Victoria BC,
V8X2S9

We have always had the ability to accept bank wires using some or all of the following information (depends on your bank’s requirements).

CRF Account #05030-7605617
Bank# 010
Swift# CIBCCATT

Bank Name: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
Branch: Mayfair Shopping Centre
City: Victoria, BC
Routing Number (EFT) 001005030
Branch Transit Number 05030
Financial Institution Number 010
MICR Code (Routing Number) 05030-010

And finally, we recently added Interac donations at the following address which may be the easiest payment method for all donors:

Payments@canadianrugbyfoundation.ca

UBC’s Niko Andrianos Wins Rick Bourne Award

Posted on November 6, 2024November 6, 2024 by Jeff

We’re pleased to announce Niko Andrianos as the 2024 Rick Bourne Rugby Award winner. Niko is a standout rugby player at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and has set ambitious goals for his athletic, academic and professional career. With a clear vision for the future, he aims to conclude his time at UBC by clinching two more national titles.

UBC Set to Host 2022 Canadian University Men's Rugby ...

Niko and Rick Bourne

As a dedicated athlete, Niko’s aspirations extend beyond collegiate competition. He dreams of wearing the Canadian national jersey and making his mark in professional rugby. This pursuit is fueled by his passion for the sport and his commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

In addition to his rugby ambitions, Niko is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at UBC and is equally devoted to giving back to the community. He plans to continue volunteering as a coach at local high schools, where he hopes to nurture and develop the next generation of rugby talent. By sharing his knowledge and experience, Niko aims to inspire young athletes and help them reach their full potential.

With his sights set on success in rugby and a commitment to community engagement, Niko Andrianos is a rising star who embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and leadership. As he progresses through his career, both in academics and athletics, the rugby community looks forward to witnessing his journey and achievements in the years to come.

2024 LANGARA TRIP AUCTION – DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING!

Posted on October 18, 2024November 6, 2024 by Jeff

The Raymond James Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship, presented by Loughheed Wealth Management and hosted by the University of Ottawa has launched its 2024 Langara Fishing Adventures Trip Auction.

CUMRC 2024 LANGARA FISHING ADVENTURE AUCTION

From now and running through the first day of the 2024 CUMRC on November 13, you can bid to purchase this trip of a lifetime. The top bid (now that the minimum $6,000 bid has been received) by November 13 at 12:00 noon wins the trip. But you can pre-empt the other bidders with a “BUY IT NOW” commitment of at least $10,000 which in addition for the trip for 2, will also give you a VIP pass for 2 for all 12 CUMRC games running Nov. 13-17 in Ottawa, and 2 tickets to the opening tournament brunch on Thursday, November 14. To be eligible for these extra perks you must complete payment to the University Rugby Supporters Fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation within 3 days of our acknowledgment that you have the winning bid.

To make a payment on your winning bid, go here: https://canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/index.php/support-a-fund/club-funds/university-rugby-supporters-fund/ To make your bid, send an email to jeffachan@gmail.com

Details are shown below:

2025 Langara Trip Auction 20241016

2025 UNIVERSITY COACHES AWARDS INITIATIVE

Posted on October 18, 2024October 18, 2024 by Jeff

Proud once again that the CRF is sponsoring the 2025 University Coaches Awards in partnership with the Crusaders International Academy in Christchurch, NZ.

The following memo was circulated to all U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Head and Assistant coaches, and all CUMRC-eligible Men’s Rugby Head and Assistant coaches.

CRF 2025 University Coaching Awards 20241008