(LANGLEY, BC) – In partnership with the Government of Canada, Rugby Canada celebrated and marked the groundbreaking and naming of the future Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence High Performance Training Centre in Langford, BC on Monday, December 5th, 2016. At the event, Rugby Canada unveiled the name of the future centre – The Al Charron Rugby Canada National Training Centre – named in honour of Canadian rugby icon, Al Charron, in recognition of his tireless devotion and commitment to the sport of rugby in Canada. The milestone announcement will also recognize the contributions to the sport of rugby in Canada made by those behind the name, the significant investment made by our lead donors, and by its principal capital funding partner, the Government of Canada.
Al Charron (Ottawa Irish, Rugby Canada)
When someone mentions rugby in Canada, Al Charron’s name will definitely emerge from the conversation. Simply put, the two are synonymous. Today marks an important date in Rugby Canada’s history with the ground-breaking and naming of the new Rugby Canada High Performance Training Centre in Langford, BC – The Al Charron Rugby Canada National Training Centre, named after the Canadian legend himself.
Making his Canadian debut in 1990, Al made 76 appearances (25 as captain) and scored 44 points before retiring in 2003 after his last, and fourth total, rugby world cup. Al played in the back-row, but on occasion played as a prop when needed. He is one of five players to play at four World Cups for Canada.
Al also saw success overseas playing for British clubs Bristol and Birmingham Moseley, as well as French clubs Pau and Dax between 1997-2000.
In 2012, the inaugural Al Charron Cup took place. The Cup now takes place annually and is taken part in by senior men’s clubs across Eastern Canada. It is predominately for these players to exhibit their skills in front of Atlantic Rock coaches for provincial team selection.
Al Charron is a current member of the Eastern Ontario Rugby Wall of Fame, the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame, and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. On top of those accolades, he is also recognized for being one of the top 100 athletes to come from Ottawa.
About Rugby Ontario:
Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to promote, govern, and develop rugby at all levels in a safe, affordable and enjoyable environment within the province of Ontario.
For more information, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/
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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Baxter
Communications Coordinator
Rugby Ontario
Office: 647-560-4790 x 106
kbaxter@rugbyontario.com
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