Dear Rugby Ontario Members and Stakeholders,
As we have now entered the New Year, I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out on behalf of the Board of Directors of Rugby Ontario to give you a brief update on our latest activities and discussions on what 2017 will bring for rugby in Ontario.
Top of mind, currently, at Rugby Ontario is the strategic planning process for 2017-2020. We are all proud of what was accomplished over the last four years, but we also recognize that there is still much work to be done to improve the administration of our many operations and initiatives while continuing to help grow the game of rugby at all levels in Ontario.
Over the last several months, we consulted a wide range of stakeholders through interviews, "town hall" meetings and several other impromptu conversations to get a better understanding of the needs of our rugby community. These consultations fed into some enthusiastic blue-sky idea sessions and, ultimately, a working draft of the Strategic Plan for 2017-2020, which was discussed at length at our last board meeting on December 4th. Our plan is to work closely with Rugby Ontario CEO, Mike Brown, and his team to test and hone this plan over the coming months in preparation for our Annual General Meeting in April. While there are many details to work through, I'm very pleased to report that we (the board and executive members alike) are all buoyed by the ideas forming the foundation of the new Strategic Plan. There is a strong commitment to provide the leadership that is needed to administer and grow the game of rugby in our province by fostering a culture of participation, cooperation and excellence.
As we continue our strategic planning process, we are very much aware that many of you are doing some rugby planning of your own in preparation for next year. Please know that the executive team at Rugby Ontario is doing its best to get information to you as soon as possible regarding next year's season. In particular, please look for updates regarding scheduling of leagues and competitions as well as more information about the adoption of a new province-wide competition management system aimed at improving how we all communicate and organize our rugby lives.
Rugby Ontario’s board and executive team appreciate that the commitment and support of its members and stakeholders is essential to the continued success and growth of rugby in Ontario. The players, parents, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters who give their time (and, often, money) to make rugby games, practices and events happen throughout the province all year round are the lifeblood of our game. As such, please know that part of the strategic planning discussions we are having involves figuring out ways to make our operations, goals and objectives more identifiable and transparent to you. The goal, essentially, is to open up the lines of communication between Rugby Ontario and those it aims to serve. Hopefully, this brief note will act as a first step in this direction.
Finally, on behalf of the board, please accept my best wishes for the New Year and hope that it brings you health and happiness.
Yours in rugby,
David Butler
Rugby Ontario Chairman
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/
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Kevin Baxter
Communications Coordinator
Rugby Ontario
Office: 647-560-4790 x 106
kbaxter@rugbyontario.com
For all the latest information follow us:
Online: https://www.rugbyontario.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyOntario
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RugbyOntario
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RugbyOntario
