Thunder Rugby is an Indigenous-led organization featuring former national team players Bobby Ross (Songhees Nation) and Phil Mack (Toquaht Nation) as leading figures. Director of Thunder Rugby is John Lyall, a rugby player for over 25 years, who is of Kwakwaka’wakw descent. They’re focused on creating opportunities through rugby for Indigenous youth.Continue reading→

It is my pleasure to report to you on the inaugural grants awarded by the Purdey Group Fund, announced on May 1, 2021 to the teams awarded a grant or who were unsuccessful in their submission – 19 teams in all.
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MISSION:  To eliminate the “PAY TO PLAY” experience presently felt by participants in the National Senior Women’s XV Rugby Team, leave a legacy fund for future teams where possible, and provide funding for the National Age Group Women’s Rugby Teams.

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The Brantford Harlequins RFC Charitable Fund is comprised of 2 components, the Endowment Fund and the Capital Projects Accumulation Fund. 50% of each and every donation will be allocated to these two components. The Fund was established on October 29, 2019.

History

In July 1950, a notice appeared in the Toronto Star stating that “British Rugby” was about to become active again in the Toronto area and was asking players to join the Wanderers; the only club in Ontario. At that time, rugby in Ontario was relatively unknown and was only being played by a select group of men. Previously, attempts had been made to set-up leagues in the Toronto area, but somehow always ended in failure. Despite being comparative newcomers and with very few influential connections, the Jones brothers pressed on and called a meeting of friends and interested local soccer players. After the first meeting, George and Vince were convinced they had enough players to form a club; The Brantford Harlequin Rugby Football Club. On September 23rd, 1950, the Jones brothers were notified and the first official league game would take place in Brantford on September 30th against the newly formed Toronto Nomads. Then adversity struck. The newly recruited soccer players had an important game that could not be rescheduled and a couple of other players for unavoidable reasons could not play. The Harlequins were left with four players. A telegram was sent to the Nomads, not calling the game off, but with a message, “Don’t come to Brantford, we will come to Toronto.” So on that historic day, the 30th of September, 1950, the Brantford Harlequins showed up with four players to take on the Toronto Nomads. George and Vince figured that they could get enough players from the previous games that had been played ahead of them to field a full 15-player squad. They had figured correctly and had enough volunteers to make nearly two teams. The Harlequins lost their first game 16-8 but this did not foreshadow the entire season. In the following weeks, the soccer players returned and new players arrived. The Harlequins were fielding 15 players for every game. By season end, the Brantford Harlequins shocked the league by capturing the O.R.U. championship title with a three-point lead over the other five clubs. And so, the “Cinderella Club” that had to borrow kits, balls, players, cars, and anything else they needed, were champions.

Facilities

In the fall of 1975, the Brantford Harlequin Executive with the aid of George Jones purchased 39 acres of land in the northeast section of Brantford on Power Line Road. For years the Harlequins dreamed of having their own fields to play on and by the summer of 1976 two fields were constructed and landscaped. Three years later, in the summer of 1979, the Harlequins completed the construction of their clubhouse.

Over the past 35 years, the Harlequin facilities and grounds have undergone several additions, renovations, and improvements. At present, the Harlequins own and maintain 39 acres of bush and landscaped property, three regulation-size rugby fields, and a clubhouse containing four change rooms, showers, and washrooms: a concession and lounge area. In addition, there is a large parking area.

The Harlequin grounds and facilities are shared by the Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior, and Mini Rugby programs. The fields are also utilized part-time but the local high school rugby league, the regional representative Senior Men’s team for the Niagara Rugby Union, and local minor sports organizations.

The Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund will accumulate permanent capital.   This capital will generate interest that will be paid to the club each year for the expenses outlined below.  The Brantford Harlequins RFC Foundation Representatives require that all payments be approved prior to the expense being incurred by the recipient.   All approvals will be at the discretion of the Foundation Representatives and an Endowment Fund “Request For Funds” application must be completed by the recipient.

Annual guidelines for amounts and eligibility for receiving these funds will be published each January/February when it is known how much is available to be paid from The Endowment Fund.  The Foundation Representatives will be responsible for formulating and publishing these guidelines each year.

1)      Brantford Harlequins coach development and/or compensation

2)      Brantford Harlequins member/player/coach support for Elite programs outside of the Brantford Harlequins RFC club program

3)      Brantford Harlequins members who are referees are eligible for educational and development support as well as expenses related to refereeing at out of province Elite level events

The Capital Projects Accumulation Fund (CPAF)

The CPAF will accumulate capital that can be drawn upon to fund Brantford Harlequins RFC Executive Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee (Futures Committee) approved capital projects for the improvement of and expansion of the Brantford Harlequins RFC facilities.  This includes but is not limited to the acquisition of real property.   In order to be eligible for funds from the CPAF a project must have a cost of more than $20,000.00.   This fund is not to be accessed for repairs and maintenance.

USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE BRANTFORD HARLEQUINS RFC CHARITABLE FUND:

The Thunder Indigenous Rugby Fund was relaunched in 2021 with the ambitious goal of raising a $1 million endowment fund to among other things, support a tour of New Zealand to connect with the Maori Rugby community. Due to COVID complications in New Zealand, this plan has been deferred, and in its place is a Summer 2022 tour of Oregon and California on the way to the Los Angeles Invitational Tournament, held in conjunction with the HSBC LA 7s.

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Program Description: The Thunder continue to soar, promoting the great game of rugby to Indigenous communities in Canada.  The Thunder focus on Sevens Rugby, an exciting version of rugby which is now recognized as an Olympic Sport.

Goals: Thunder Rugby aims to offer a structured vehicle to promote the game of rugby to Indigenous communities and to identify potential high performance Indigenous athletes. Thunder Rugby hopes to provide Indigenous youth with improved opportunities for advanced education and personal growth through the connections and values of rugby.

Targets:

• Fund an annual rugby tour for Indigenous Youth, starting with NZ in 2022
• Develop a full-time Thunder Rugby Development officer position
• Continue to offer Summer Rugby Camps for Indigenous Youth
• Showcase Indigenous athletes at 7s tournaments
• Grow programs for U18, U16 and U14 Indigenous youth
• Introduce rugby to Indigenous communities
• Expand coaching staff and facilitate coach development.

Website www.thunderrugby.ca
Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThunderIndigenousRugby/
Twitter at twitter.com/ThunderRugbyCA

USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE THUNDER  INDIGENOUS RUGBY FUND: