SUPPORTING HIGH-PERFORMANCE RUGBY IN CANADA

Posted on April 13, 2024May 2, 2024 by Jeff

We are pleased to announce that at its last Board meeting, the Canadian Rugby Foundation allocated $55,000 from its 2024 Unrestricted Fund budget towards Men’s and Women’s High-Performance Rugby in Canada.

MEN’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE

A Board Committee consisting of Chair Hans de Goede, John Lecky, and Jerry Marriot with Jamie Levchuk from Rugby Canada recommended the following allocation for the Men’s side based on input from Dr. John Gillis, Stephen Aboud and Nathan Bombrys: $27,500

• Ontario: $4,000
• Quebec $4,000
• Prairies: $3,500 (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
• 2024 Coast to Coast Cup in Halifax, $16,000 (including Atlantic Provinces)

The 2024 Coast to Coast Cup tournament is the highest level of senior men’s competition in the country, and runs June 19-22 in Halifax (the finals on June 22 at the Wanderers Grounds) and will feature the Atlantic Privateers, a combined Toronto Arrows Academy/Rugby Ontario team, the Prairie Fire, and a fourth team to be determined. The plan is for 2025 and beyond to have representatives from all regions of the country, and eventually West and East playoffs and a true national senior men’s championship.

WOMEN’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE

A Board Committee consisting of Liz Ferguson (Chair), Colette McAuley, Stephanie White, Davine Burton, and Kevin Rouet (Rugby Canada) recommended the following allocation:

2024 University Rugby 7s Tournament hosted by Concordia University March 17 & 18: $7,000

2024 Canada West v Canada East camp, June 22 in Ottawa: $20,500.
Selection of players to participate will build on regional competitions (in Atlantic provinces, the BC
games, the ON/QU competition and a north/south Alberta competition, and exploring opportunities to include players in Saskatchewan & Manitoba). The intention is to involve many players on the cusp of national selection and those with the potential to get there in the next year or so.

2024 Canadian University Coaching Awards Announced

Posted on February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 by Jeff

The following 11 Men’s and Women’s University Rugby Coaches have been selected to the 2024 cadre attending the Crusaders International Academy Accelerator Coaching program from May 20 through May 31, 2024 in Christchurch New Zealand. Each will have their program fees plus room and board paid, and travel costs subsidized. These coaches follow the group of 7 coaches who went to the Crusaders program last year.

SELECTED COACHES

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

Simon Chi, Head Coach, University of Calgary Women’s Rugby
James Flemming, Head Coach, University of Ottawa Men’s Rugby
Chris Jones, Head Coach, McMaster University, Women’s Rugby
Jessie-Ann Gibson, Assistant Coach, University of Guelph Women’s Rugby
Jessica Joubarne, Assistant Coach, Carleton University Women’s Rugby
Zak Scovoranski, Assistant Coach, Mount Royal University Men’s Rugby
Lancelot Satge, Head Coach, University of Montreal Men’s Rugby
Jay Shaw, Head Coach, University of Waterloo Women’s Rugby
Brent Wood, Assistant Coach, University of Calgary Men’s Rugby

and selected by the BC Rugby Union and funded by the Gerald McGavin Coaching Award Fund of the Canadian Rugby Foundation are:

Darcy Patterson, Assistant Coach, University of British Columbia Women’s Rugby
Jon Mergui, Assistant Coach, University of British Columbia Men’s Rugby

Congratulations to all eleven 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 ability. The focus of this initiative is on university coaches as we and our lead donors believe the men’s and women’s university 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 university student-athletes and coaching colleagues, and 3) share that information with rugby coaches in their local and provincial rugby communities.

This award is administered by members of the Foundation’s University Rugby Initiative committee consisting of Mike Holmes, Doug Tate, Dave Lougheed, Colette McAuley, 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 we will be 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/) Nine university coaches selected by the Foundation, and two selected by the BCRU will join 14 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.

S&C Initiative

On a side note is another initiative from the University Rugby Initiative related to Strength & Conditioning that Dave Lougheed and “For the Love of the Game” is leading. Although the varsity rugby programs at many of the universities in Canada have excellent support from their Athletics department, the same cannot be said for the majority of teams.

With the goal of making Canada’s national rugby teams among the fittest in the world, we will be embarking on a pilot with Men’s and Women’s university rugby teams to establish a national strength & conditioning and fitness tracking system using TeamBldr which many teams are already familiar with, and to provide access to third-party S&C experts where university resources aren’t available. Tracking results will of course be available for each team, but will also used for talent identification and an indicator of commitment to improving and maintaining fitness by Rugby Canada for its national age-grade and senior teams. More details will come as details are ironed out.

For the Love of the Game Joins the Foundation to Create a New Endowment Fund

Posted on February 20, 2024February 20, 2024 by Jeff

The For the Love of the Game Fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation was established in January 2024 to act as the endowment fund for the registered not-for-profit organization “For the Love of the Game Experience Ltd.” founded in 2015 by former Canadian international Dave Lougheed. The mission of For the Love of the Game is to “inspire excellence through experience for athletes, coaches and their passionate supporters”.

For the Love of the Game has already partnered with the Foundation on a number of initiatives including sponsorship of the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship and the Canadian University Coaching Awards and continues to support initiatives through the Canadian Rugby Foundation that align with its mission, vision and values.

Please visit www.fortheloveofthegame.info for more information about For the Love of the Game.

Fletcher’s Fields Launches 2024 Summer Celebration of Rugby (SCOR)

Posted on February 8, 2024February 8, 2024 by Jeff

We are pleased to support the Fletcher’s Fields 2024 Summer Celebration of Rugby, marking the final season to be played at the historic Fletcher’s Fields in Markham, Ontario. The Foundation’s partnership with all six shareholders of Fletcher’s Fields Limited helped launch the Foundation to new heights at the end of 2021, and we are only too happy to continue our partnership with this summer’s celebration.

The official media release announcing the Summer Celebration of Rugby

Rugby Legend Honoured with New Kevin ‘Lunk’ Wirachowski Award

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Jeff

Friends, colleagues in the rugby, local, international, and business community, and family of Kevin Wirachowski recently established a new Canadian Rugby Foundation Award Fund to create a lasting legacy for the man variously known as “Lunk’, ‘Lunker’ and ‘Lunkster”.

The Kevin ‘Lunk’ Wirachowski Award Fund provides funding from its endowment for an annual award that furthers the broad objectives and purposes of Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation by assisting successful applicants with their post-secondary education, thereby helping to grow and develop rugby in Canada.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Kevin ‘Lunk’ Wirachowski Award, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Active Participation: Applicants must demonstrate active involvement in playing rugby and a
commitment to staying engaged in the sport. Applicant must be a current front-row player and actively engaged in developing their front-row skills
Gender and Age: Applicants must be students actively participating in rugby in Canada. The award is open to all genders. Applicants must be between 17 and 24 years of age.
Academic Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time degree (graduate or undergraduate), diploma or certificate program at a Canadian university, college or trade school, and be in good academic standing. The school program should commence in the academic year for which the award is granted. Students starting their studies in the fall semester are eligible.

Selection Criteria:
The selection of the Kevin ‘Lunk’ Wirachowski Award recipient will be based on the following criteria:

The extent to which the application, supporting letter and references demonstrate compliance with the eligibility criteria above.
Contribution to the Rugby Community: Applicants should exhibit a recognized contribution to both the local community and the broader rugby community, showcasing their impact both on and off the field. Applicant must be in good standing with his or her School team, Club team, Provincial team, National Age-grade or senior team if applicable, and Community.
Leadership: Demonstrated leadership on and off the field.

Further details on Lunk, the Award and Fund, and a link to make donations to the Fund are here:

Rick Bourne Among 2023 Inductees into Rugby Canada Hall of Fame

Posted on December 15, 2023December 15, 2023 by Jeff

December 12, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the Hall of Fame class for 2023. Nine Canadian rugby icons will have their distinguished careers celebrated forever as they enter the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame.

Since the inaugural Class of 2016, the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame has recognized and welcomed the most dedicated and decorated members of Canada’s rugby community to its growing list.

The Rugby Canada Hall of Fame was established to honour and preserve rugby’s culture and heritage in Canada by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of rugby participants throughout our country.

“This year’s class of inductees to the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame showcases nine outstanding women and men who have brought honour and fame, on and off the field, to the history of rugby in Canada,” said Mike Luke, Chair Rugby Canada’s Hall of Fame Project Team. “Their skills as former international rugby players and match officials, administrators and leaders in the game, has made them great contributors to Canada’s place in the world of rugby.”

Inductees will be celebrated at the 2024 HSBC Vancouver Sevens on Saturday February 24, 2024. Tickets for the HSBC Vancouver Sevens can be purchased at vansevens.com.

Please view a brief overview of the inductees below and click on the corresponding links to learn more about each inductee’s outstanding contributions to the sport of rugby in Canada.

CLASS OF 2023

RICK BOURNE – BUILDER

Bourne has held several positions at the national and international levels, serving on Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors from 2003 to 2019, including five years as President. He was Canada’s Rugby Americas North representative from 2012 to 2019 and currently holds an active position on the board of HSBC Vancouver Sevens as well as director roles with the Canadian Rugby Foundation and the Canadian Rugby 7s Fund. Rick is also a long-time Contributing Member to the Canadian Rugby Foundation Contributing Member.

Click Here For Full Bio

Complete 2023 Class Announcement: https://rugby.ca/en/news/2023/12/rugby-canada-announces-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023

Maria Samson Appointed Chair of the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship

Posted on December 6, 2023December 7, 2023 by Jeff

As previously announced on November 16 at the 2023 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship banquet, Maria Samson has been appointed the Chair of the CUMRC Organizing Committee effective January 1, 2024.

Maria joined the CUMRC Board in January 2020 while she was still head coach for the Mount Royal University (MRU) Men’s Rugby team, and a member of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors. She was a highly decorated member of the Canadian Senior Women’s team as the 2012 Women’s XVs Rugby Canada Player of the Year and a 2014 Rugby World Cup Silver medalist. She also counts time with the McGill University Martlets, SABRFC, Windsor Rogues, Fort McMurray Knights, Alberta Wolfpack, Calgary Hornets and Calgary Saints, as well as travelling teams the Dog River Howlers, Stars Rugby and Canadian Classics.

Since joining the CUMRC Board, Maria has also served as Vice Chair of Rugby Canada, and only retired as the MRU head coach following their 2023 playoff run. Her CUMRC duties kept expanding and included her roles as our social media creator, broadcast commentator, Instagram interviewer and tournament director at the 2022 and 2023 championships, our rules and regulations head, and beginning in 2023, CUMRC Vice Chair.

Maria takes the reins from Jeff Chan, the current Chair and co-founder of the CUMRC in 2017. As has been recounted numerous times, in 2015-16, Jeff had been frustrated by the lack of a national university championship in Men’s Rugby which led to all university programs eending their schedules after their conference championships. Working with fellow co-founders Mike Holmes of the Canadian Rugby Foundation, which became the lead CUMRC financial sponsor, Doug Tate, the long-time head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes, and Bishop’s University rugby alumnus Keith Labbett, the foundation was laid at the inaugural 6-team tournament hosted by the University of Guelph in 2017. Except for the 2020 COVID year, the CUMRC has met all but one of its goals:

grown (from 29 to 33 teams competing to qualify, and 8 teams in the tournament);
helped develop the calibre and depth of university men’s players and programs across the country;
been recognised as a crucial step in the pathway towards Canada’s Men’s senior team; and
established and maintained the national university men’s rugby championship.

The lone exception is gaining the endorsement of Men’s Rugby by U SPORTS as an official sport, (as is the case for Women’s Rugby) and as it has been the case with the OUA and RSEQ conferences for many years. This remains a work in progress by Rugby Canada.

It is now time for the CUMRC to take another step in its evolution, with Maria taking the lead, working with the University of Ottawa as the 2024 host, coordinating the University Men’s Rugby Coaches Association, and working with the Canadian Rugby Foundation’s University Rugby Supporters Fund to continue to develop university Rugby Coaches across Canada.

Good luck Maria!

Tattyannah Jackson Wins Inaugural Rick Bourne Rugby Award

Posted on November 29, 2023December 7, 2023 by Jeff

Following the announcement of the new Rick Bourne Rugby Award during his induction into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame, in June 2023, we are now pleased to announce the inaugural winner of the Award, Tattyannah Jackson of East Gwillimbury, Ontario.

Tattyannah Jackson

Tattyannah is a third-year student at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON majoring in Sociology and Psychology. Her background in rugby has been relatively short, but has rapidly developed to a starting prop position on the Queen’s University Gaels, a top-3 university women’s rugby program in Canada, and a selection to the Ontario senior women’s and Canada’s U20 team in 2023. Her earlier development has come through the high school system and the Aurora Barbarians RFC with coach Nick Daniels.

Of her experience at Queen’s, she says “My time at Queen’s has been a wild ride over the last three years. I’ve had to take the time to discover myself as a person and a player. This team has helped me come out of my shell, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My experience here has been one-of-a-kind, thrilling, and once-in-a-lifetime, and has given me a sense of pride and accomplishment.

On her selection to the U20 team this past summer, Tattyannah says, “Being able to represent Canada’s U20 program has been one of my most recent accomplishments. It was an incredible opportunity to meet other female rugby players and play alongside some of the best players in the country. It taught me a lot to be able to play with such amazing women, and it meant a lot to form new friendships within that community. Knowing that my efforts and hard work were ultimately worthwhile gave me confidence and dignity. Moving forward, my goal will be to continue in the Canada age-grade program, with the goal of one day representing Canada at the senior women’s level.”

Looking ahead, her aspirations in rugby burn bright. “ I’m resolutely focused on donning the U23 Canada jersey, an honour that would signify a remarkable progression in my rugby career. Beyond that, I am steadfast in my commitment to reaching the pinnacle of the sport: the senior women’s team. The thought of representing my country on the international stage and competing at a Rugby World Cup fuels my training and propels me forward. Each step I take, both on and off the field, is driven by the indomitable spirit that rugby instilled in me.

Rick Bourne Rugby Award

The Rick Bourne Rugby Award provides an annual financial award of $2,000 and aims to support students of any gender who are actively involved in playing rugby in Canada. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Rick Bourne, a prominent figure in the Canadian rugby community for over six decades. Rick Bourne’s leadership, passion and generosity have made a significant impact on rugby in Canada, making this award a deserving tribute to his legacy. The awards will be funded from donations to the endowment fund and earnings on the fund’s assets. More details on the award are here.

“We had many impressive candidates apply which is hopefully a fantastic sign of where rugby is headed in this country,” said Rick Bourne. “The selection criteria for this award consisted of a candidate’s active participation in rugby, a commitment to stay engaged in the sport and an overall commitment to the rugby community positively impacting the sport both on and off the field. Tattyannah Jackson, this year’s winner, is a testament to Tattyannah’s commitment to rugby and we very much look forward to this continued dedication to the sport and watching Tattyannah’s rugby career well into the future.”

On being notified of her award, Tattyannah stated, “I am truly honoured and grateful to be the first recipient of the Rick Bourne Rugby Award. Rick Bourne’s legacy in rugby is inspiring, and receiving this recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a reminder of the values and dedication that make rugby a special sport. I am thankful for the support and encouragement from the rugby community, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the spirit of the game.”

Canadian Rugby Loses a Titan: RIP Bill Webb

Posted on August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 by Jeff

Sad news as we lost Bill Webb, a Canadian Rugby Foundation Board member and CRF Investment Committee member, on August 28. He will be sorely missed by all in the Canadian rugby community and remembered for all his contributions to rugby in this country at the club, university, national, and professional levels.

William “Bill” Reid Webb passed away peacefully at North York General Hospital on Monday, August 28th, 2023, in the presence of family after a bout of prostate cancer.

Bill was the loving son of the late Roberta Webb (née Heard) and was survived by his father, William A. Webb. He was the beloved husband and “the rock” to Dr. Agnes Wong for more than 26 years. Devoted and proud father of sons James and Stephen. Loving brother to Robert J. Webb, brother-in-law to Noriko, and a caring uncle to Masato and Aiko. Bill’s unwavering dedication to his family truly reflected his character.

Bill was born in Toronto, Ontario. Throughout his 59 years, Bill led a life of accomplishments filled with adventures. He was a proud graduate of Wilfred Laurier University (BBA ‘86). After spending two years working in the UK and travelling extensively around the world, including being a trekking guide in the Himalayas, he went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree from McGill University (MBA ‘93), where he met his wife and soulmate, Agnes. Bill had a long and distinguished career, including being the Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer at Gluskin Sheff + Associates (1995-2015), a founding partner and later an advisor at Waypoint Investment Partners (2017-present), and most recently, the Co-Founder and President of the Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club (2018-present), photos of which can be found here:

Rugby was a fundamental part of Bill’s life, from his early days with Brantford Collegiate Institute, the Brantford Harlequins, and the Laurier Golden Hawks to leading Canada’s first and only professional rugby union team. He also served on the Rugby Canada Board of Directors, co-chaired the campaign for building the Al Charron National Training Centre, and passionately supported the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF). His friends and family will deeply miss him, as he left a lasting legacy in the rugby community.

Bill will be remembered as a loyal friend and compassionate man who believed in giving back to the community through his actions and philanthropy. His legacy of kindness and integrity will live on in the hearts of those who had the opportunity to know him.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests a donation be made in memory of Bill to TIRF (https://tirfrugby.ca/make-a-difference/donate/), the Canadian Cancer Society (https://cancer.ca/en/) or True Patriot Love (https://truepatriotlove.com/).

The family will receive visitors at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes (6191 Yonge St, Toronto, ON) on September 8th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Another brief visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on September 9th, followed directly by a funeral mass at Blessed Trinity Parish (3220 Bayview Ave, North York, ON). The funeral service will be followed immediately by a reception at the Miller Tavern (3885 Yonge St, Toronto, ON) from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrettnorthyork.ca for the Webb family.