Scarborough, ON – January 12, 2026 – Rugby Ontario is proud to announce the creation of the Rugby Ontario Endowment Fund, a major milestone marking the next phase in the organization’s long-term strategy to strengthen the sport’s sustainability, accessibility and pathways across the province.

The endowment fund – set to formally launch in January 2026 – will be established with an initial $200,000 investment from Rugby Ontario. This landmark move comes after several years of financial recovery, disciplined planning, and strategic governance following the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through steadfast commitment to responsible stewardship and long-term vision, Rugby Ontario is now positioned to take this progressive step toward supporting generations of athletes, coaches and match officials across Ontario.

The purpose of the endowment fund is to reduce and ultimately eliminate financial barriers for athletes pursuing provincial and national representation, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to rugby development. The fund will also support developing coaches and match officials, and broadly advance initiatives that strengthen Rugby Ontario’s mission to make rugby the most inclusive sport in Ontario.

A Vision for the Future of Rugby

“This is a transformative moment for Rugby Ontario,” said Marius Felix, Chair of the Board of Directors. “For decades, the pay-to-play model has created obstacles for many talented athletes. Establishing this endowment is a clear and meaningful step toward a future where opportunity in rugby is determined by passion, commitment and performance – not by financial means.”

Claude Germain, Treasurer of Rugby Ontario, emphasized the strategic nature of this decision: “Our Board and executive leadership team has worked diligently to stabilize and grow the organization’s financial foundation. The endowment is both a testament to that progress and an investment in the future. It will provide predictable, sustainable support year after year, benefitting athletes and leaders across the sport.”

Rugby Ontario CEO Myles Spencer highlighted the impact on the development and performance pathway: “We want every aspiring athlete, coach and match official in Ontario to know that their ambitions matter. This fund will help remove long-standing barriers and ensure that our provincial and national teams and leaders reflect the full potential of our community.”

 

Call for Volunteers: Endowment Fund Steering Committee

Rugby Ontario is now seeking volunteers to serve on the Endowment Fund Steering Committee, a group that will play a pivotal role in shaping the fund’s structure, governance and long-term impact.

The Steering Committee will be responsible for:

• Establishing eligibility criteria and the program charter for annual beneficiaries;
• Managing and vetting applications, and selecting donees;
• Leading fundraising efforts to grow the endowment over time; and,
• Reporting on the impact made possible through endowment-supported initiatives.

Individuals interested in contributing to this landmark initiative are invited to complete the Expression of Interest Form at the following link by January 23^rd, 2026:

Form Link

https://forms.office.com/r/3fM983cwKu

Applicants will be asked to submit a CV, references and a brief statement outlining why they wish to support the endowment fund and the future of rugby in Ontario.

 

About Rugby Ontario

Rugby Ontario is the provincial sport governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to lead, support and promote “Rugby For All” from communities to clubs to province. This mission signals a movement towards creating a more cohesive, supportive and progressive sporting environment that is responsive to the needs of all members. The organization is responsible for leading various provincial and high performance programs, including representative teams for junior/age grade boy’s and girl’s as well as senior women’s and men’s programs.