Category Archives: Funds

SAMANTHA REBITT WINS 2022 COURTNEY TAAFFE AWARD

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We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2022 Courtney Taaffe Award is Samantha Rebitt.

Samantha is a second-year student at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, pursuing a double major in Biology and Environmental Science. She currently plays scrum half for the Dalhousie Women’s club team, but her ties to rugby start on Vancouver Island, in BC.

Samantha grew up in the Comox Valley, attending GP Vanier high school, where her love for rugby began. She joined the Vanier rugby team in grade 9, and her passion for the sport grew over her high school years, turning her into a captain of the senior girls’ rugby team. Currently she keeps up with the sport by not only playing for Dal, but also by returning to help coach the Vanier girls’ rugby team when she is back on the island.

Besides rugby, Samantha enjoys many other sports including mountain biking and volleyball. She is also a member of the Rotaract Club of Halifax, helping give back to her community, and is passionate about the environment and nature.

Currently, her future plans include either conservation ecology or teaching, spending lots of time in nature, and of course, continuing to be involved in the rugby community.

Samantha would like to thank everyone involved in the Canadian Rugby Foundation for their continual devotion to the sport and is extremely honoured and grateful to receive the 2022 Courtenay Taaffe Memorial Award.

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The Courtney Taaffe Award is presented by the Canadian Rugby Foundation (in conjunction with the Charlton L. Smith Foundation and the Taaffe family)

Courtenay Taaffe was vibrant, determined, talented and dedicated; she had endless energy and enthusiasm for her passions in life, one of which was the sport of rugby.  This scholarship was created in 2005 to honour Courtenay’s rugby passion and life achievements.  The successful recipient will share some of the many qualities Courtenay did including a strong work ethic, both in the classroom and on the field, as well as an enthusiastic and determined personality.  She played hooker and flanker for UVic, James Bay, Crimson Tide and Team B.C.  She coached the JBAA junior women, the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide junior women, the Vancouver Island Japan Club team and the Stelly’s Secondary Queen Bees. Courtenay set a precedent for hard work and accomplishment in the sport of women’s rugby. Courtenay passed away at the age of 29 of a rare and aggressive lymphoma.

This scholarship is annually awarded to a female athlete who excels in rugby, academics and community service. It is open to 17-28 year old players/coaches/referees who are pursuing a full-time degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian university or college on Vancouver Island. Students commencing or continuing full-time studies in the fall are eligible.

For more information on the Courtney Taaffe Award and Fund, go here: https://canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/index.php/support-a-fund/scholarship/courtenay-taaffe-memorial-scholarship/

INAUGURAL LIAM GEDDES MEMORIAL AWARD GOES TO UBC’S RELMU WILSON-VALDES

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The inaugural Liam Geddes Memorial Award was presented to UBC Thunderbird Relmu Wilson-Valdes at the 2022 Canadian University Rugby Championship awards banquet on December 3, 2022.

The Award is named after the late Liam David Geddes, a Queen’s varsity rugby player who passed away earlier in 2022. Liam played in the back row for the Gaels at the 2018, 2019 and 2021 CUMRC tournaments and the Award will now be presented annually to the outstanding back row player at the tournament.

Liam’s parents, Dr. Alison Longhorn-Geddes and Colin Geddes attended the entire tournament at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium, and while on their extended trip from Lindsay, ON even had time to take in a concert from their hometown favourite band, the Barenaked Ladies. Wearing their trademark orange Queen’s Rugby toques, Colin and Alison were recognizable anywhere in the crowd, and made many new friends in the university rugby community from across Canada.

The 2022 winner of the Liam Geddes Memorial Award is UBC’s No. 8, Relmu Wilson-Valdes, who was also named to the tournament First XV All Star team. He scored 2 tries in UBC’s opener against Calagry and was named the Thunderbird’s player of the game. In the second game versus Guelph, Wilson-Valdes scored one try and in their Gold Medal winning game versus the McGill Redbirds, he scored UBC’s opening try after just 4 minutes. Relmu was also a finisher for UBC in their game against Queen’s in the 2021 CUMRC, the last competitive game played by Liam.

 

Shown below, Wilson-Valdes receives his trophy, a keeper plaque, and a symbolic cheque for $1,000 which will go to his Athletic Financial Award or towards tuition.

 

For more information on the Liam Geddes Memorial Award and to donate to the Fund, go here: https://canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/index.php/support-a-fund/scholarship/liam-geddes-memorial-award-fund/

Introducing the David Robinson Memorial Award Fund

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We are pleased to announce that The David Robinson Memorial Award Fund was established in today following the passing of noted Alberta and national Rugby official and educator David R. Robinson.

The Fund is intended to provide funding from its endowment for annual awards that further the broad objectives and purposes of Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada while meeting CRA requirements. The award is presented annually to a rugby student-athlete entering or already enrolled in a university or college who has been actively participating as a rugby player, coach, official, administrator or volunteer at the club or high school level, and who has expressed an interest in continuing their rugby involvement as an official.

The David Robinson Memorial Award is named for David Russell Robinson.

David Robinson Bio

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, we lost David Robinson, an outstanding member of the rugby community. David was an active referee for 30 years in Alberta and British Columbia but was often found refereeing around the world. David never missed an opportunity to take his boots and whistle with him on his travels, creating a legacy of having refereed in over 20 countries. David was often seen talking to new match officials about his global referring experience. On the field, David was willing to help whenever and wherever he was needed, from his annual run at the Stampede Rugby 7s, shadowing new match officials, refereeing age-grade matches, or the highest level of Provincial tournaments and Provincial finals. David’s community involvement was not limited to the field. David never missed an opportunity to host a visiting match official. He opened his home, shared his family and community, and ensured everyone got the most out of their visit and the game of Rugby, which he loved. David was a founding member of the Rugby Alberta Match Officials’ Association (RAMOA) and sat on its first board, serving as both treasurer and president during his time. David’s connections during his travels played a key role in helping RAMOA set up ongoing Match Official exchanges in Northern California. ln recent years, David became World Rugby Educator, influencing hundreds of new match officials with his personality and style. ln addition he became a Citing Commissioner for World Rugby and Major League Rugby and has been involved in several tournaments throughout Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean. Our thoughts and condolences go out to David’s family, friends and the community he tirelessly served. A life well lived in service of others is a life we should all celebrate. – Rugby Alberta

David was a founding member of the Rugby Alberta Match Officials’Association GAMOA) and sat on its first board, serving as both treasurer and president during his time. David’s connections during his travels played a key role in helping RAMOA set up ongoing Match Official exchanges in Northern California. David was often seen talking to new match officials about his global refereeing experience. David never missed an opportunity to take his boots with him on his travels, creating a legacy of having refereed in over 20 countries. On the field, David was willing to help whenever and wherever he was needed, from his annual run at the Stampede Rugby 7s, shadowing new match officials, refereeing age-grade matches, or the highest level of Provincial tournaments and Provincial finals. David’s community involvement was not limited to the field. David never missed an opportunity to host a visiting match official. He opened his home, shared his family and community, and ensured everyone got the most out of their visit and the game of Rugby, which he loved. – Rugby Canada

While details of the Award application process are in development, the selection criteria will include:

1. High school graduate from Alberta
2. Enrolled in or entering a Canadian university or college
3. Academic achievements
4. Rugby achievements and involvement
5. lnterest in officiating

To continue David’s legacy and honour his contributions to rugby, GO HERE TO DONATE TO THE DAVID ROBINSON MEMORIAL AWARD FUND AND SCROLL DOWN TO THE FUND NAME:

 

Announcing the Liam Geddes Memorial Award Fund

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We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Liam Geddes Memorial Award Fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation. The Award is named in honour of Liam David Geddes (October 27, 1999 – March 11, 2022).

The Liam Geddes Memorial Award is intended to provide funding from its endowment for an annual award presented initially to the outstanding back row player at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC) and later when appropriate, the national university men’s Back Row Player of the Year, consistent with the broad objectives and purposes of Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada, while meeting CRA requirements. The Fund has been kickstarted with donations from Liam’s family and friends.

Liam loved hard, worked hard, and played hard. Liam first began to play rugby for his high school, in Lindsay, ON. He went on to play with the Lindsay Rugby Club, and represented Ontario with U17 and U18 squads. He was a varsity athlete with the Queens Men’s Rugby Program, helping them to achieve gold medals in OUA finals in 2018, 2019, and silver in 2021. He represented Queen’s Men’s Rugby at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC) in 2018 in Victoria, 2019 in Montreal, and most recently 2021 in Kingston.

At the time of his passing, Liam was a 4th-year student at Queens University, about to graduate with Honours with a B.Sc. in Kinesiology. He was an academic all-star during all four years of his studies, and was awarded his degree posthumously in June 2022. His plans for further schooling, with the ultimate goal of acceptance into medical school, were unfortunately cut short by his untimely death.

Liam was known by all for having a kind heart, quick wit, and keen intellect. He was ever humble and known to give the greatest bear hugs to anyone he was with. Liam was also known for being a clothes horse, with an eye for style. In addition to being very close to his parents, sisters and extended family, he had an extremely large group of well-loved friends throughout his home in Kawartha Lakes, ON, as well as his second home in Kingston, ON. Liam was tenacious on the rugby field from his position in the back row, but he also had a kind and caring spirit and was ever ready to lend a helping hand, or a compassionate ear.

Liam had registered as an organ donor of his own accord several years before his passing. Through his gift of organ donation, Liam was able to profoundly impact the lives of 4 organ donor recipients (lung, liver, and both kidneys), and their families.

You can continue Liam’s legacy through the Liam Geddes Memorial Award Fund by making a donation to the endowment fund here and scrolling down to the Fund name.

Liam Geddes Article 20221027

Rugby Canada Announces Monty Heald Fund Grant

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In the leadup to the Rugby World Cup in Auckland and Whangārei, New Zealand this fall, from October 8 to November 12, the Foundation’s Monty Heald Fund has made a significant grant to Rugby Canada in support of the Senior Women’s 15’s team. Details follow in the Rugby Canada media release: July 2022_CRF MHF_en

 

Globe and Mail Covers the Fletcher’s Fields Donation to the Foundation

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Sale of Fletcher’s Fields provides historic boost to Canadian Rugby Foundation

NEIL DAVIDSON
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
THE CANADIAN PRESS
December 23, 2021

Canadian rugby has received a historic boost in the form of an $11.65-million donation.

The money, which is going to the non-profit Canadian Rugby Foundation, comes from the $21.5-million sale of the eight-hectare Fletcher’s Fields rugby facility in Markham, Ont.

Established in 1966, Fletcher’s Fields features six rugby fields and has hosted Canada test matches against Argentina, England, Ireland, Japan, the U.S. and Wales, as well as numerous Ontario championships. It is named after the late Denis Fletcher, a rugby enthusiast who helped grow the game in Ontario.

Fletcher’s Fields Limited, which owned the facility, is comprised of six equal shareholders: Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club, Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club, Rugby Ontario, Nomads Rugby Football Club of Toronto, Toronto Saracens Rugby Football Club and Toronto Scottish Rugby Football Club.

The $11.65-million donation will translate into six endowment funds, representing each of those shareholders. The remainder of the sale proceeds is being held back as the clubs determine their future venue and capital plans.

The Foundation will administer the endowment funds, retaining some of the proceeds with the bulk of that revenue going back to the original shareholders.

Foundation chair Mike Holmes called it a “historic donation.”

“It will enable us to invest significantly more funds in development of grassroots rugby in Canada,” Holmes said in an interview.

“That’s the mission of the foundation – to grow our capital so that we have more and more income arising from that capital,” he added. “And in time we have more and more money to spend on growth of grassroots rugby in Canada.”

Established in 2003, the Foundation offers scholarships and manages several funds, including the Captain’s Fund, which helps the under-20 and other national age-group programs and the Monty Heald National Women’s Fund, which assists women’s national team programs.

The Foundation’s assets now exceed $18-million. Rugby Canada’s annual revenue totalled $9.2-million in pandemic-affected 2020 and $14.9-million in 2019.

Fletcher’s Fields will continue hosting rugby and other sport competitions until October, 2024, with shareholder clubs hoping to have new localized facilities ready for the 2025 season.

In recent years, the Fletcher’s board opted for a long-term review with the facility’s increasing need for capital improvements and out of a desire for greater access to rugby across the city. That led to the board accepting a purchase offer.

In addition to the six new endowment funds, the Foundation has contributed $120,000 and committed to an annual contribution towards a new Fletcher’s Patrons Fund that honours those who helped finance major renovations and build grandstands at the property. The returns from the fund will go toward initiatives to help develop rugby in Ontario.

 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-sale-of-fletchers-fields-provides-historic-boost-to-canadian-rugby/

Fletcher’s Patrons Fund

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Fletcher’s Fields Limited (FFL) is a share capital corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). FFL is a not-for-profit organization within the meaning of paragraph 149(1)(l) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). On its initial incorporation as a letters patent corporation under the Corporations Act (Ontario) in 1970, the objects of FFL were stated in part as follows:

a) To establish, maintain and operate athletic facilities and to promote an interest in athletic games, recreation and sports;

b) To construct and operate grandstands, arenas, playing field, booths, refreshment rooms, food services and other buildings and conveniences whether of a permanent or temporary nature;

c) To arrange or hold matches and competitions of every nature and to offer or grant and contribute towards prizes, awards and distinctions;

d) To buy, sell and deal in all kinds of equipment, apparatus and provisions required by or conveniences for the persons frequenting the Company’s facilities; and

e) To use such facilities and to permit the same or any part thereof to be sued on such terms as the company shall think fit for any purposes, public or private, and in particular for public and other gatherings and meetings, exhibitions, picnics, tournaments and other performances.

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. The Foundation and FFL have entered into a donation agreement (the “FFL Master Agreement”) effective June 1st, 2021. In addition, the Foundation established from its own Unrestricted Fund a restricted fund to be named the “Fletcher’s Patrons Fund” in the amount of $120,000.

The Fletcher’s Patrons Fund is named for the generous supporters or “Patrons” who in 1995 enabled Fletcher’s Fields to undertake major renovations to the clubhouse and install an electronic scoreboard and a grandstand to accommodate three thousand spectators. Funds for the improvements came by way of an Ontario grant and a major fundraising drive in the rugby community. The fundraising drive involved donors contributing one thousand dollars to Fletcher’s in return for being named a patron and receiving free entry to games. Almost $150,000 was raised from members of the FFL shareholder clubs and other Ontario rugby clubs.

The Fletcher’s Patrons Fund is intended to provide funding from its endowment, and from capital disbursements that continue the objects of FFL. These include:

(a) To encourage and further the game of rugby in Ontario and Canada in accordance with the laws of World Rugby (“WR”);

(b) To actively support rugby players and participants in the Province of Ontario by furnishing equipment, kit, and facilities for the game of rugby; and

(c) To promote all forms of rugby recognized by WR 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.

Fletcher's Fields

 

USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE FLETCHER’S PATRONS FUND:

Announcing the Steven Batie Memorial Fund

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The latest of the Foundation’s Awards Endowment Funds has just gone live with the creation of the Steven Batie Memorial Fund.

The Fund was created by Steven’s family in October 2021 to honour his 25-year legacy in Canadian rugby. He was a leader both on and off the pitch at the club, provincial and national U21 level and his legendary tenacity during the game was matched only by his kindness, warmth, and welcoming nature off the field.

Steven’s rugby life began with the Ladysmith Secondary School Blues Rugby Program, followed by the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Club. After high school, Steven became a beloved member of the UVic Vikes Rugby Program for six years, meeting and playing alongside lifelong friends under the mentorship of Doug Tate.

   

Steve focused his education on finance following his undergrad by completing the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) Financial Management program. He began his career in finance in the banking industry, earned his CFP designation, and ultimately transitioned away from the traditional financial institutions to become a financial planner, investment advisor, and owner of Rothdale Pacific Wealth Management in Vancouver.

After UVic Steve went on to become a long-standing member of the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. For 15 years, he played at every level with the club while helping coach and mentor new players. He also volunteered his time and expertise to provide additional fitness training to support players trying out for representative teams. Burnaby Lake was also where he met his wife Jean and his family is grateful to the club for embracing the entire Batie family.

Steven was also a valued member of a number of representative teams, including the Mid Island Tsunami, the Canadian U21 Men’s World Cup Team, and BC at all levels, including starting in BC Bears’ famous 2014 victory over the Uruguayan Men’s National Team.

Support of this fund will help grow the game of rugby and support the two clubs – University of Victoria Vikes Men’s Rugby program and the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club – that brought Steven so much joy and happiness during his life, in addition to keeping his spirit alive for his family.

In addition to supporting this fund, Steven’s family asks that you also honour his life and legacy by being kind – to yourself, your teammates, your friends and even strangers – for everyone you meet may be fighting a battle you know nothing about. In closing, the family has asked that we share the words Steven’s dad would say to him before every single game (and most practices) over his 25 years playing rugby:

Play Hard.
Play Safe.
And Have Fun.

The Steven Batie Memorial Fund will be officially unveiled at Steve’s Celebration of Life on November 14, 2021.

Announcing 2022 Grassroots Rugby Assistance Grants

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It’s no secret that the past year and a half have been hard on grassroots rugby across Canada. With COVID-19 protocols restricting play and most forms of activity that would normally engage club members, incoming revenue has been drastically reduced if not eliminated, and membership has taken a hit with the risk that some younger players might not return at all.

The Canadian Rugby Foundation has recognized these hardships, and are making available some funding to help clubs across Canada recover from the recent months. The Foundation’s Board approved new Grassroots Rugby COVID-relief grants to assist clubs who have been hard hit this year by the effects of COVID-19. A total of $40,000 is being made available through the provincial and territorial rugby unions to assist their most affected clubs.

Each provincial union has been invited to apply for assistance to a maximum of $5,000 per union, with funding available starting January 2022 on the condition that the CRF grant is matched by the union/clubs.

The deadline for applications is November 15, 2021 at 5:00pm EST.

The email that was sent and the application form can be seen below. If your club could use this type of support, contact your provincial union for more information.

Grassroots Assistance email to PRUs 20211013
Application for Grassroots Assistance

 

UPDATE: The following 5 Provincial Rugby Unions applied for and were subsequently approved for $5,000 grants payable in March 2022.

  • Rugby Ontario
  • Rugby Quebec
  • Manitoba Rugby
  • New Brunswick Rugby
  • Newfoundland Rugby

 

Monty Heald Senior Women’s Fund

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The Monty Heald Fund is in support of Rugby Canada’s Senior Women’s XV program.

With the help of generous donors like you, the Fund has been a great success. Together we make it feasible for the players to concentrate on their training and preparations without having to worry about also paying to play.

Our Senior Women’s National program had an amazing 2022 and the team’s cohesiveness and desire were on full display during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. While disappointed in a fourth-place finish, they were the talk of the tournament for their grit and tenacity throughout. The team had great success in part due the funding supplied by the Monty Heald Fund which enabled added training days and supported team soft centralization. (Approximately $100,000.) Rugby Canada did also supply more funding this year than ever before, but with only so much capacity to draw from, our MONTY HEALD FUND must continue to raise money to ensure a robust program for our women.

Rest assured that 100% of your donation goes directly to support the Senior Women’s XVs team and is dispersed through the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

Our team does not want to lose the momentum we have coming off the World Cup and numerous fixtures and camps are already being set for 2023. Up to 10 tests are forecasted at this time and plans include up to 4 matches on home soil. We look forward to the opportunity to compete in the PAC4 tournament again and the exciting launch of the Global WXV Competition!

Thank you in advance for your support!

Recent Results

2022 Pac 4 tournament
June 5 Canada 36 USA 5
June 11 Canada 0 New Zealand 28
June 17 Canada 22 Australia 10

July 24 Canada 34 Italy 24
Aug 27 Canada 31 Wales 3
Sept 24 Canada 24 Fiji 7

2021/2022 World Cup
Oct 9 Canada 41 Japan 5
Oct 16 Canada 22 Italy 12
Oct 23 Canada 29 USA 14
Oct 30 Canada 32 USA 11
Nov 5 Canada 19 England 26
Nov 11 Canada 0 France 36

2023 Results

March 25 Canada 66 South Africa 7
April 1 Canada 50 USA 17
July 8 Canada 21 New Zealand 52
July 14 Canada 45 Australia 7
September 23 Canada 24 England 50
September 30 Canada 12 England 29
October 20 Canada 42 Wales 22
October 26 Canada 12 England 45
November 3 Canada 29 France 20

   

  

   

Canadian Press Monty Heald Obituary

More about the Monty Heald National Women’s Fund objectives and administration

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE MONTY HEALD SENIOR WOMEN’S FUND: