Dear Rugby Community,

 

As you may be aware, Rugby Ontario (RO) will leverage the return of the senior men’s interbranch rugby competition this Spring and use these matches to select a Senior Men’s Provincial Team. That team will travel to BC to play three high-level matches against the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide, the Vancouver Wave and the BC Bears. The tour to BC takes place between May 15th and May 24th and is a collaboration between RO and BC Rugby, with significant support from The Canadian Rugby Foundation.

Over the past few weeks, I have received feedback questioning why all three of the RO/BC matches are being played in BC. The answer is based on expense. A home and away series would, literally, double the cost of the competition and so RO and BC Rugby decided that one team would tour this year.

The exciting news for rugby fans here in Ontario is that plans are already underway for RO to host BC Rugby and possibly other provincial based teams to play a “best Vs best” competition in Ontario next year. Equally important from a player development perspective, is the goal to run this competition annually in support of senior provincial player development and by extension, provide the national team with a deeper pool of players to select from.

I want to emphasize the impact senior men’s and senior women’s interbranch matches will have in preparing players for higher level competition. We have seen this in the Ontario East and West women’s teams playing their counterparts from Quebec, and the number of players who have been identified as national team prospects. The impact age grade interbranch competition has had in helping develop players to represent Ontario over the past four years is now clearly evident. With the return of senior men’s interbranch this spring, another important development step is in place. If you are a player with aspirations to play at a higher level, or a supporter hoping to see rugby in Ontario continue to improve, it is truly an exciting time to be involved.

 

Yours in rugby,

Marius Felix

Board Chair, Rugby Ontario