Formerly the U20 Fund, with name change now aligned with the various age-grade teams (e.g., U18, U20, U23) that have been beneficiaries of the former U20 Fund.
The Canadian Rugby Foundation maintains a Men’s Age-grade Rugby Support Group Fund led by Mike Holmes, it was created to provide a permanent endowment fund to reduce the requirement for U20 player contributions and to enhance the national U20 team’s preparation. There’s a partnership in place with Rugby Canada whereby they match Canadian Rugby Foundation contributions to ensure Canada has well-prepared ge-grade teams going forward.
In 2020 we had the optimal Canada Men’s U20 program planned ( until COVID-19 struck) with a tour to Portugal in February, a camp or tour in May, x 2 World Trophy qualifier games v USA in June, and the World Trophy in September. That remains our preferred structure.
There was no World Trophy in 2021, but we held an excellent 8-day selection camp in Shawnigan Lake School. Reports on player enthusiasm, fitness, and skill were strong. We made all the arrangements for a 3-game Canada U21 tour to the UK, including a game vs. England U20. This was cancelled this month because of Omicron.
This forward planning is predicated on having guaranteed funds from the Foundation, matched financial support from RC, funding from World Rugby, subsidized use of SLS, and a small player contribution. We believe this program to be a primary building block for Canadian rugby together with the Pride and the Toronto Arrows. 27% of this year’s RWC squad played on our U20 teams in 2018 and 2019.
At the CRF we have a Men’s Age-grade Rugby Fund and the Captain’s Fund, the interest from both going annually to the Men’s Age-grade programs. Rick Powers, former President of Rugby Ontario, recently pledged $250,000 (paid annually over 10 years ) for the Men’s Age-grade and Women’s Age-grade Rugby Funds. This will be divided 60 % for the men and 40% for the women. We are very keen to find new donors as each million in capital provides $40,000 per year for these teams FOREVER.
With backing from the Men’s Age-grade RugbySupport Group Fund, it’s hoped that Canada will do even better in coming years with a new crop of athletes and some returning from this year’s campaign. We would like to thank the members of the committee who oversee the fund and spearhead the efforts to grow it: David Robertson, Andrew Purdey, Dr. Pat Parfrey, and Mike Holmes.
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USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE MEN’S AGE-GRADE RUGBY FUND:
