December 6, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the organization’s new strategic plan for 2024 until 2027 and beyond. The plan has been approved by Rugby Canada’s board after several months of consultation and collaboration with Rugby Canada’s executive leadership team and staff, national team players and representatives from all 10 provincial unions.

The new plan has put emphasis on three strategic aims:

1. Support Our Teams to Win: Build high performing national teams and provide training environments that achieve success.

2. Be a Leading Sports Organization: Transform Rugby Canada into a strong, world class national sports organization.

3. Expand Financial Capacity: Grow and diversify revenues, increase financial stability and create new opportunities.

The overview version of Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan can be found here.

“The launch of our new strategic plan marks an exciting next step in Rugby Canada’s ongoing process of change and improvement under strong leadership and reflects our commitment to deliver meaningful cultural and systemic change,” said Sally Dennis, Rugby Canada Chair. “Nathan [Bombrys, CEO] fully embraced the board’s mandate to transform Rugby Canada. His experience and vision have been the driving forces behind this achievement, as well as his tireless and successful determination to obtain buy-in from our stakeholders.”

“The plan is bold; it is clear; it contains ambitious but achievable goals; and tough choices have been made. From now on, no decision will be made, or step taken at Rugby Canada, without reference back to the plan to ensure alignment and consistency with its objectives. I am confident that, with Nathan at the helm and the continued support of our stakeholders, the plan will be implemented, and its strategic goals delivered. Now the real work begins.”  

Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan also comes with a new overarching philosophy of “One Squad”. The mentality behind “One Squad” is understanding that across the country, everyone has a role to play in helping us become a leading sports organization, expanding our financial capacity and the success of our national teams. Together, we will play rugby, learn, build and win as one. We will support each other through our defeats and celebrate our successes together.

“The opportunity to provide input to the new strategic plan and collaborate with Rugby Canada, including a recent in-person workshop hosted in Alberta, is a perfect demonstration of how we can learn together and build together to achieve success,” stated President of Rugby Alberta, Chris Cooke. “As one of the 10 provincial unions in Canada, Rugby Alberta looks forward to continued collaboration to ensure our provincial programs and priorities contribute to the overall vision for rugby in our country.”

The new plan displays a clear commitment to a new standard of performance, behaviour, attitude and decision-making as we enter a new era of rugby in Canada.

“As players, it is both reassuring and exciting to see our organization establish a clear direction,” said player ambassador, Sophie de Goede. “This clarity mitigates off-field stressors for players and enables us to focus on our part in the strategic plan - delivering world class performances. I think I can speak for all players in saying we look forward to representing Canada as ‘One Squad’ moving forward.”

As it is our ambition for Rugby Canada to be recognized as a top 12 rugby nation in the world on and off the field, our purpose will continue to be to inspire the nation and to lead, govern and support the game of rugby across Canada. We are ready to build on what came before us and honour rugby’s 150-year history here in Canada.

The full version of Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan can be found here.

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