FOUNDATION MILESTONES

2000-2009

2000 – Mark Wyatt, Mike Holmes and George Jones meet with John Lecky and Gren Thomas and obtain their support to establish a new Foundation to help raise funds for rugby in Canada in a tax-advantaged way for future donors. This was to become the Canadian Rugby Foundation. Gren Thomas pledges $1 million in future donations to help kickstart the Foundation’s first Fund.

2001 – Rugby Canada Board of Directors endorses concept of the Foundation after the presentation of a business plan by board members Roger Smith and Mike Holmes. Dr. Pat Parfrey, then President of Rugby Canada, becomes one of the early and continuous supporters of the Foundation.

2003 – Canadian Rugby Foundation registered as a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and as a registered charity under the Income Tax Act designated as a public foundation (registration number 869159186).

2003 – Mike Holmes appointed inaugural President

2003 – Bob Hager and Bruce McFarlane become the first two members of the Foundation after Gren Thomas and the founding directors.

2004 – Former National Team player Aaron Abrams hired as executive director

2005 –  Deacy, Parfry and Browne legacy fund for Newfoundland Rugby”  launched.

2006 – Gerald McGavin Fund started

2006 – Hong Kong and Olympic 7s Fund started by Randy Heward, John Woodward, and others in Hong Kong, raising over $1 million to assist the Canada 7s team in the Summer Olympics and HSBC 7s Series

2007 – Under President Pat Aldous, the Foundation continued to prosper. Matthuw Ronald Jones was hired as executive director and helped establish some of the more significant scholarships and funds within the Foundation.

2007 – The first club fund established by the Castaway Wanderers RFC

2007 – Foundation assets surpass $1 million

2010-2019

2010 – Decision made to return to a volunteer-run organization with the goal of keeping administration costs to a minimum. Mike Holmes assumed Chairmanship in Pat Aldous’ place.

2010 – First student award presented

2011 – Bob Hager, one of the first contributing members, passes away

2011 – Foundation assets surpass $2 million

2012 – Thomas Family Award Fund established

2012 – First club fund in Ontario established by the Toronto Scottish RFC

2015 – Fund first tours of BC Rugby girl’s and boy’s teams  to Ireland and Newfoundland teams to Ireland

2016 – Monty Heald Senior National Women’s Team Fund established

2016 – Foundation assets surpass $3 million

2017 – U20 Fund established, and raises $1 million

2017 – Provide the bulk of funding to assist  Canada’s first trip to Women’s World Cup where Canada finished 5th.

2018 – Thunder Indigenous Rugby Fund established and later relaunched in 2021 with ambitious goal to create a $1 million endowment

2018 – Establishment of the first Men’s and Women’s Club Championships led by Hans de Goede and Davine Burton (2019) respectively

2019 – Foundation surpass the $4 and $5 million milestones

2019 – Foundation funds first Canadian U20 camp, organized by founder  Dr. Pat Parfrey,

2019 – Pacific Pride Legacy Fund established

2020-2023

2020 – Passing of George Jones, one of the original founders

2020 – Foundation reaches 51 Funds, with a balance of $5.9M in assets

2021 – March 1, Jeff Chan appointed Executive Director on a part-time basis with a mandate to grow the Foundation’s funds and assets

2021 – Historic agreement with Fletcher’s Fields Limited (Markham, Ontario) to accept a donation of $11.65 million and to create 6 new Funds (Aurora Barbarians, Markham Irish, Rugby Ontario, Toronto Nomads, Toronto Saracens, Toronto Scottish, and the Fletcher’s Patrons Fund) Article here.

2021 – Dec. 1, established 15th new Fund of 2021 (Strathcona Druids). Other new Funds in 2021 included Judy Seddon Memorial Awards Fund, Niagara Old Boys Capital Fund, Strathcona Druids RFC Capital Fund, Dennis Crawford Memorial Award Fund, Steven Batie Memorial Award Fund, Quinn Lauridsen Memorial Award Fund, and Tillman Briggs Capital Fund

2021 – Received $12.77M in total donations from 596 donors including 143 donors over $1,000 and 6 over $25,000. Contributing members ($25K+ lifetime donations) now total 43. Earned $825.9K in net investment income after fees over the full year. Foundation’s assets reached record $19.04M

2022 – April 22, new Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Foundation and Rugby Canada to formalize their working relationship

2022 – July 1,  website relaunched

2023 – Two Directors passed away – Pat Aldous on February 14 and Bill Webb on August 28

2023 – Reached 75 funds, established new Hybrid University Rugby Funds