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:

Fletcher’s Fields Makes Another Ground-breaking Donation to the Canadian Rugby Foundation

Posted on January 14, 2026January 14, 2026 by Jeff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON and VICTORIA, BC – January 15, 2026

On November 23, 2021, the Canadian Rugby Foundation (the Foundation) was pleased to accept a historic donation in the amount of $11.65 million from Fletcher’s Field Limited (FFL), this following the sale of its Fletcher’s Fields rugby facility in Markham, Ontario to the City of Markham.

Now, just over four years later, the shareholders and Board of Fletcher’s Fields have unanimously followed up their 2021 donation with an additional $7.7 million being added to the six existing FFL endowment funds. These funds will be donated in two tranches on January 15 and June 30, 2026. Including an additional $1.5 million that was donated to the Toronto Scottish FFL Fund in 2025, this will bring the total FFL contribution to the Foundation to $20.85 million.

Fletcher’s Fields was originally established in 1966 and served the needs of the rugby community in Ontario for 59 years. In that time, Fletcher’s Fields hosted Canada versus England, Ireland, Wales, USA, Argentina and Japan, and many Canada and Ontario age-grade tournaments and championships.

While Fletcher’s Fields ceased operations in 2024 following its Summer Celebration of Rugby, its legacy continues on with great memories of game performances and social gatherings on and off the Fletcher’s pitches, and through the subsequent performances of players, coaches, officials, and rugby administrators who met, played, and developed their skills at Fletcher’s Fields through the years. And importantly, the proceeds of the property sale have created very significant endowment funds that will benefit current and future members of the 6 shareholders and through the Rugby Ontario RO Fund, and the Fletcher’s Patrons Fund, clubs all across Ontario.

The increase in the Foundation’s assets, which will now exceed $30 million at the end of June will enable more initiatives with greater impact that support the growth of rugby in Ontario and across Canada.

Said Steve Hall, the Fletcher’s Fields Chair, “since our original donation of $11.65 million to the Canadian Rugby Foundation, the wisdom of that decision has been repeatedly proven. Our involvement on the CRF Board, and the subsequent election of one of our Directors (Jerry Marriott) to the CRF Executive Committee and Investment Committee, has enabled Fletcher’s Fields to observe how the Foundation operates, and the quality of its stewardship over the assets in the FFL endowment funds, and indeed all 90 of the Foundation’s funds. That involvement has also helped shape the Foundation’s strategy, and growing contributions to the growth and development of rugby in Ontario and more broadly, the entire country.

It’s because our trust in the Canadian Rugby Foundation has been so well earned, and our partnership with the leadership of the Foundation has been so productive, that the FFL Board and its shareholders unanimously supported the additional donations that complete the divestment of all funds from the sale of the Fletcher’s Fields property”.

“The Canadian Rugby Foundation is very appreciative of the Fletcher’s Field group for following up its historic 2021 donation with these 2025 and 2026 contributions to the Foundation, bringing its total donation to $20.85 million, arguably the largest combined gift to an athletic endowment in Canadian history. We are committed to continue to grow our endowment funds and assist the growth of grassroots rugby across Canada”, said Mike Holmes, the Foundation’s Chair.

Added Jeff Chan, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, “in addition to the oversight we provide to the 6 FFL funds, we continue to finance the Fletcher’s Patrons Fund honouring the Fletcher’s Field “Patrons” who in 1995-1996 helped finance major renovations to the clubhouse, pitches, and scoreboard, and grandstands at the property. The Patrons Fund now totals over $165,000 having grown from the Foundation’s original $120,000 contribution, and its annual returns are directed by its FFL trustees towards new grassroots initiatives that will help develop rugby in the Province of Ontario”.

Fletcher’s Fields Limited

There are six equal shareholders of FFL as follows: Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club Inc., Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club, Rugby Ontario, The Nomads Rugby Football Club of Toronto Inc., The Toronto Saracens Rugby Football Club, and the Toronto Scottish Rugby Football Club.

The four FFL-nominated Directors elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors are Jerry Marriott, Andrew Wright, David Butler, and most recently, Tim Matthews.

Canadian Rugby Foundation

The Canadian Rugby Foundation, established in 2003, is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) designated as a public foundation (registration number 869159186). The mission of the Foundation is to contribute to the growth and development of rugby in Canada by “Investing in the Future of Canadian Rugby”. To accomplish this, the Foundation creates and manages endowed funds or awards funds in partnership with local rugby clubs and Fund sponsoring individuals or organisations to promote and support rugby activities by making grants to and through qualified donees.

For more information, please contact any of the below:

For the Canadian Rugby Foundation

Michael Holmes
Chair
Email: mike@phre.ca

Jeff Chan
Chief Executive Officer
Email: jeffachan@gmail.com

For Fletcher’s Fields Limited

Steve Hall
Chair, President
Email: steve@spell-bound.ca

Pat Hodgins
Chief Executive Officer,
Email: pjhodgins23@gmail.com

Announcing New Capital Fund for the Brock RFC

Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce the creation of a new fund – the Foundation’s 90th – by the Brock Rugby Football Club in October 2025.

BROCK RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

History

The Brock Rugby Club was founded in 1978 by Bob Barrow, a teacher at Brock High School, and a former player at the University of Western Ontario after being urged to start a community club by former student Peter McCuaig.

Barrow coached both boys’ and girls’ rugby from 1975-1997, leading the high school team to multiple Kawartha and regional titles, two provincial championships, and the Barbarian Cup in 1980. He also led six UK rugby tours for the high school and three for the Brock Rugby Club. Bob Barrow, was inducted into the Ontario Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017 for his decades of dedication to the sport in the Brock Township and in the Niagara region.

Hall of Fame article

The club continues its strong traditions and values, with teams at various levels including a Senior Men’s Team, a Senior Women’s Team, Junior teams for U-18, U-16, and U-14 Boy’s and Girl’s, and a Co-ed U-12 Tackle Team. The club boasts one of the largest junior and flag rugby programs in the province, and has a history of producing high-level players, with some alumni moving on to play for the Canadian national team and other professional circuits.

Location: S1205, Durham Regional Rd 13, Brock, ON L0C 1H0. Brock is located on the east shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 1.5 hours northeast of Toronto. Directions.

BROCK GREEN SPACE CAPITAL FUND

The Brock Green Space Capital Fund was created as a vehicle to raise funds for a new field and additional capital projects for the Brock Rugby Club. This will include the development of new green space including a playing field and practice areas. This development will include any and all expenses associated with the working of the land area to turn the raw land into suitable playing space.

Construction is not scheduled to begin immediately. The preliminary project plans call for the beginning of planning, construction, and other major expenses or expenditures to commence approximately June of 2026. Disbursements from the Fund to the Brock Rugby Football Club Inc. will begin at that time and will be scheduled over an approximate 1-year period. The estimated completion date is August 2027. The total cost estimate is $100,000.

In addition to donations to this fund, the club will be applying for grants to complete the funding requirements.

TO HELP SUPPORT THIS PROJECT, DONATE TO THE BROCK GREEN SPACES CAPITAL FUND, GO HERE:

Rebecca Kochuk Selected for 2025 Judy Seddon Memorial Award

Posted on August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Judy Seddon Memorial Award, honoring the
enduring legacy of Alberta’s beloved “Rugby Mom.” This year’s award goes to Rebecca Kochuk, a
remarkable individual whose dedication to sport, education, and community embodies Judy’s
commitment to the sport of rugby and community service.

A passionate athlete and mentor, this year’s honoree began her rugby journey in grade 8—a
transformative experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to the game. Today, she channels that
passion into coaching the girls’ team at Bert Church High School in Airdrie, instilling confidence and self-
worth in young athletes and continuing Judy’s tradition of nurturing future generations.

As a player, she competes with distinction for the Canucks RFC, the University of Calgary Dinos, and the
Senior Women’s Maverick/Wolf Pack. Her leadership on and off the field reflects the values Judy
championed throughout her 35+ years of contributions to rugby in Alberta.

Academically, Rebecca maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA at the University of Calgary, where she is accelerating her
Bachelor’s degree with year-round coursework. She aspires to become a Speech-Language Pathologist,
helping children build confidence in communication—an extension of the empowerment she fosters
through rugby.

The Judy Seddon Memorial Award will support her continued academic and athletic pursuits, enabling
her to further Judy’s legacy through community building for women’s rugby in Alberta.

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

Building at Maple Grove Rugby Park

Posted on August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 by Jeff

The MGRP Capital Fund was established by Rugby Manitoba in May, 2025 as a vehicle to raise funds for improvements to the Maple Grove Rugby Park.

Maple Grove Rugby Park was established in 1985 as the home of the majority of the Winnipeg‐based rugby clubs with 5 International Sized Rugby pitches, and has evolved into a multi‐sport facility which has hosted numerous school, club, provincial, national and international events for rugby, flag football, lacrosse, ultimate and volleyball. The Maple Grove Rugby Park Founders Committee was the group responsible for the invention, creation, development and construction of Maple Grove Rugby Park, the premier rugby facility in Western Canada.

In August, 1984 the corporation Maple Grove Rugby Park Inc. was created. An internal structure was hammered out, land identified and approved, plans for construction discussed and approved, and fund-raising plans discussed and implemented. The committee raised approximately $300,000 and implemented the first sport-developed and managed facility in Winnipeg, all without government funding.

The MGRP Capital Fund has now been set up to ensure funds can be raised to support enhancements and/or on-going operational support for Maple Grove Rugby Park. This could include major capital projects such as an additional field, new turf, or renovations to the clubhouse, or smaller acquisitions of equipment (turf maintenance or training equipment, lighting, sound systems, etc., or ongoing maintenance and repair of the park, fields and clubhouse. Under the auspices of the Canadian Rugby Foundation, a charitable foundation, all donations to this Fund are eligible for a tax receipt.

TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE MGRP CAPITAL FUND, GO HERE:

Coming Home to Windsor Park with CWRFC Capital Fund

Posted on August 12, 2025August 15, 2025 by Jeff

The Castaway Wanderers have established a new fund with the Canadian Rugby Foundation to help raise money for a new clubhouse adjacent to their current playing field at Windsor Park in the Oak Bay area of Victoria, BC. The building on the right photo is the Oak Bay Community Centre used as the club’s locker and meeting rooms

Named the CWRFC Coming Home Capital Fund, this signals a move of the existing clubhouse from downtown Victoria to Windsor Park (thus the “Coming Home”) and will serve as a vehicle for donors to the project (purchase of property, relocation of a house to accommodate the clubhouse, and renovations to the house) to make a contribution and simultaneously receiving a charitable tax receipt through the Foundation.

The property is across from the tennis courts at Windsor Park as shown here. The house shown below is the one being considered moving on to the property we will purchase. It has been photoshopped onto the property to give a sense of how our new home will fit.

IMAGINE THIS:

The history of your club and its players creating your club place adjacent to your
playing field
Celebrating a victory with YOUR team in YOUR clubhouse whether 14 or 35 years old
Gathering parents and their CWRFC children for a social evening
CW teams hosting supporters, visitors and guests in THEIR clubhouse right after the game
Deepening the unique social side of rugby into our CWRFC culture for families, players, alumni and supporters
Imagine, COMING HOME to where it all began in 1912!

TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE AND MAKE A DONATION TO THE CWRFC COMING HOME CAPITAL FUND, GO HERE:

YOU CAN HELP!
For further information or an offer toward the plan, please contact Chris Spicer at 250-888-8859 or
cspiceradvancement@shaw.ca

SABRFC Alumni Endowment Fund Established

Posted on August 4, 2025August 4, 2025 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce that the SABRFC Alumni Endowment Fund was established on July 21, 2025.

STE. ANNE DE BELLEVUE RFC

What is now the Ste. Anne de Bellevue Rugby Football Club originated as the Macdonald College rugby team in 1964. Last year (2024) marked the 60th anniversary of the original founding date.

In 1981 the club officially became the Club de Rugby de Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. The hard work and dedication shown by every player, coach, and volunteer over the last four and a half decades have produced the biggest and most successful rugby club in Quebec, and one with a solid international reputation.

SABRFC ALUMNI ENDOWMENT FUND

The SABRFC (Sainte Anne de Bellevue Rugby Football Club) Alumni Endowment Fund is intended to support the operations of the club through disbursements from the fund’s donations, endowment returns, and other contributions. These are to continue the objects of the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Football Club (Fund Sponsor) and are consistent with the broad objects and purposes of the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Football Club, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting all CRA requirements.

As the Fund’s name indicates, the fund was set up by a group of dedicated club alumni, past and current men’s and women’s rugby members of the club who are interested in the long-term viability and financial stability of the club. This is to be established through the endowment fund, where the assets donated to the fund are invested in perpetuity with the returns disbursed annually.

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:

Facilities .
Equipment purchase
Training equipment
Turf installation and landscaping
Labour expense
Member services
Administration
Competitions
Player assistance and awards
Miscellaneous

TO SUPPORT THE CLUB AND DONATE TO THE SABRFC ALUMNI ENDOWMENT FUND, GO HERE:

Stampede Sevens Award Fund the Newest Fund Out of Alberta

Posted on May 4, 2025August 12, 2025 by Jeff

Late April saw the establishment of a new Awards Fund by the Stampede 7’s Alberta Rugby Society.

The Stampede 7’s Award is dedicated to supporting the next generation of rugby athletes as they transition into post-secondary education. This award recognizes outstanding high school rugby players who have demonstrated high performance on the field and dedication to the rugby community.

The Award is intended to provide funding from its endowment for annual awards that further the broad objectives and purposes of the Stampede 7’s Alberta Rugby Society, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada, and that meet CRA requirements. The Stampede 7’s Award is named for the annual 7’s tournament held in Calgary during Stampede.

Award Criteria:
1. Must be a Grade 12 student graduating in the year in which they are applying for the award
2. Must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution with a program starting before February of the following year
3. Must be actively involved in the rugby community (player, coaching, refereeing, volunteering, or other contributions)
4. Participation, leadership, sportsmanship, and impact on the rugby community will be evaluated for each applicant

Application Process:
1. Completed application form
2. Personal statement (500-750 words) detailing:
a. Your rugby journey and achievements
b. Your involvement in the rugby community
c. How rugby has shaped your character and future goals
d. How this award will support your academic and athletic aspirations
3. Proof of post-secondary enrollment
4. Please include 2 references (1 must be rugby related; i.e.: coach, VP, alumni…), with contact information.

Other Information:
• 2 Awards are available (ideally one woman and one man chosen)
• The Stampede 7’s Rugby Board will review applications based on complete applications.
• Application deadline is the first Monday of September
• Awards selected the last Friday of September

TO SUPPORT AND MAKE A DONATION TO THE NEW FUND, GO HERE:

Toronto Saracens Start New Alumni Endowment Fund

Posted on April 25, 2025April 25, 2025 by Jeff

To complement their Fletcher’s Fields Legacy Fund, the Toronto Saracens have now established a new Toronto Saracens Alumni Fund with the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

The Toronto Saracens Legacy Fund was established in April 2025, and was driven by a group of Saracen alumni. The Saracens have a long proud history since their founding in the early 1950’s. With 70+ years of playing rugby, there are now over one thousand Saracen Alumni spread around the world.

Many Saracens Alumni continue to stay involved with the Club in Board positions and as spectators. The cheering of Alumni on the sidelines and the volunteer Alumni working behind the scenes keep the Saracens strong as a Club.

The Toronto Saracens Alumni Fund is intended to provide funding from its endowment, and from capital withdrawals that continue the objects of the Toronto Saracens Rugby Football Club. These include:

To encourage and further the game of rugby in Ontario and Canada;
To actively support rugby players in the Province of Ontario by furnishing equipment, kit, and facilities for the game of rugby;
To promote all forms of rugby and to arrange matches and rugby competitions and to offer or grant and contribute towards prizes, awards, scholarships and honorariums related to playing rugby in the province of Ontario.

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

1. CLUB OPERATING EXPENSES including any of the following:

Facilities
Labour expense
Member services
Administration
Competitions

2. JUNIOR PROGRAM EXPENSES. These may include:

Camp fees for junior members to attend Ontario or National camps and competitions
Recruitment of junior members
Junior team coaches’ compensation
Junior team member services including kit and equipment
Other Junior expenses

To support the Toronto Saracens and donate to the Alumni Fund, please go HERE: