Ontario Blues Frequently Asked Question 2022 

 

Age Grade  Girls  Boys 
U19   

2003-2004 

U18  2004-2005   
U17    2005 
U16  2006-2007  2006 
U15    2007 – 2008 

 

 

Tryouts 

 

Question: How to I register to tryout?  

 

Closer to the tryout dates, a registration link will be posted here. It will also available on the Rugby Ontario website. To register, you will need to follow the link and complete the steps as outlined.  

 

Question: Can I register in person?  

 

No, players/parents must register for all tryouts online before attending. 

 

Question: I am not registered with a club; can I still try out? 

 

Due to recent changes to Rugby Canada’s insurance policy, all athletes participating in tryouts MUST be registered with a club. For athletes transitioning from High School rugby and unaware of the club landscape, you can follow the link below to learn more about the various clubs in Ontario.  

http://www.rugbyontario.com/content_page/10016022/  

 

Question: When are tryouts?  

 

Regional trial dates will be released shortly. When that is announced, Rugby Ontario will also be releasing the date for a central trial session taking place at the Whitby Dome. 

 

Question: I cannot attend all tryouts, Can I still tryout?  

 

If you are unable to attend 1 or more of the tryout dates due to an unavoidable conflict, please let the coaches and team staff know ahead of time. If you miss one of the tryouts, you are still eligible for selection to the provincial team. 

 

Question: What is the cost to attend the provincial tryouts? 

 

The cost to attend provincial tryouts will be announced shortly. This is a one-time fee that covers participation at all tryouts. All revenue collected through the tryout process goes to offsetting costs associated with the tryout, and all surplus goes towards supporting the Ontario Blues program. 

 

Question: I am a u18 Boys player, where do I engage this year?  

 

As of 2022, the u18 Boys program has transitioned from the Ontario Jr Blues program to the Ontario u19 Blues program. Moving forward the Ontario u19 program will operate as a dual age band program for athletes born in 2003 and 2004. This adjustment to the provincial structure allows u18 players to engage i in a two-year development cycle as they train and prepare for selection to the Canada u20 program. For more information on the u19 program, please refer to the Ontario u19 Blues Sections of the Q&A. 

 

Selection Process 

 

Question: Do I need to be a member of a rugby club to play for the Ontario Blues? 

 

Yes, if selected to join the Ontario Blues Program, all players MUSTregister with a local club. Club Rugby is a critical part of the athlete development pathway and the Jr Blues schedule is designed to avoid conflict between provincial and club rugby as much as possible. 

 

Question: How does the selection process work? 

 

Based on performance and potential demonstrated at the provincial tryouts, as well as identification through high school and club rugby, the top 60 athletes in each age grade will be selected to train together for 4 more weeks.  After those weeks, 48 athletes will be selected and divided into two balanced teams, Ontario Navy and Ontario White. The remaining 12 athletes will be listed as “Non-Travelling Reserves”. 

 

Question: Which Team is AAA and which is AA? 

 

This year, rather than having a AAA team and AA team, Rugby Ontario is creating two evenly skilled teams, Ontario Navy and Ontario White. These teams are not regionally based and will be built to be competitive with each other. After these teams have been selected, they will operate as independent teams in preparation for competition. 

 

Question: What is a “Non-Travelling Reserve”? 

 

“Non-Travelling Reserves” are athletes that will be eligible to enter either program in case another athlete withdraws for any reason.  

 

General Questions 

 

Question: When do the Ontario Blues Train?  

 

All Training sessions for the program are held on Sundays so as to avoid conflict with club rugby. Sessions times will be announced in the near future. All training sessions will include components of core skill development, position specific development, game play, and off field learning.  

 

Question: What competition do the Ontario Blues compete in? 

 

All Ontario Blues teams will compete in one competition this year. Additionally, Blues teams will participate in tour games over the duration of the summer. The frequency of these tour games varies depending on the age group and team. 

 

 Our teams will compete in the “Cross Border Series – Presented by Guelph University”. Here, our teams will compete against touring sides from the United States and the UK from July 13 – July 16. Meals and accommodation cost for all competitions are included in the program fee. 

 

Question: What are tour games? 

 

Tour games are one-off competitions, hosted here in Ontario, against touring sides from the United States and UK. These games will likely take place around mid to late July. 

 

Question: Will the Ontario Blues program interfere with my club commitment?  

 

No, The Ontario Blues program is designed to minimize conflict between club and provincial commitments.  

 

Question: What is included as part of the Ontario Blues program?  

 

Included in player dues are: meals, accommodations and transportation for major competitions, field times/facility rentals, athletic therapist support, on field/sideline apparel, Hudl film review software, head check concussion monitoring app and more. 

Question: When are tryouts?  

 

Number of trials and tryout dates will be announced shortly. 

 

Question: How does the selection process work? 

 

Based on performance and potential demonstrated at the provincial tryouts, as well as identification through High School, College, and University Rugby, the top 60 athletes in each age grade will be selected to train together until team selection (Date yet to be announced) On team selection day, 48 athletes will be selected for either the u19 Provincial Team, or the u19 Emerging Team. The remaining 12 athletes will be listed as “Non-Travelling Reserves”. 

 

Question: What competition do the Ontario u19 Blues compete in? 

 

This year, our U19 Provincial Team will be competing in two different major competitions along with the Guelph Training Camp. Training camp dates are yet to be determined. The first competition the u19 Provincial Team will participate in is the “Canadian Rugby Championships” (CRC) from July 29th – August 6th 

 

Want more information?

For inquires regarding the Ontario Blues Program please contact info@rugbyontario.com