from World Rugby
– World Rugby Awards to take place in an innovate virtual format on Monday, 7 December, 2020
– Special edition will recognise rugbys front liners who showed great solidarity during the pandemic and honour the best from the last decade of rugby (2010-19)
from CBC – Rugby Canada cuts staff, citing ongoing financial impact of COVID-19
15 of organization’s 46 staff affected, including 5 terminations, effective Oct. 1
Nathan Abdelnour Leaves Rugby Canada
Nathan who was the Manager, Match Official Development at Rugby Canada is leaving Rugby Canada. Yesterday he put this out on social media.
from World Rugby
As the intake of 12 new athletes and associated staff gathered together for the launch meeting of the Maple Leaf Academy at the end of August at the home of Rugby Canada in Langford, the room was already abuzz with excitement about what lay ahead for the countrys next generation of stars.
Rugby Canada in partnership with Toronto Arrows have hired Rob Howley as assistant coach to fellow Welshman Kingsley Jones. It’s a decision sure to raise a few eyebrows. Rob Howley was the assistant coach of Wales before he was caught up in a gambling scandal and removed from the position prior to the 2019 World Cup and given an 18 month suspension from rugby, it was dated back to September 16th 2019 when he was removed from the Wales coaching staff. The sentence was reduced by 9 months so in effect it was a 9 month suspension allowing him to work in rugby again as of June 16th 2020. The charge against him was breaching the anti-corruption and betting regulations set in place by World Rugby. He was betting on games, including games with Wales, while he was in a position of influence as assistant coach. The following from Wales Online summarizes the situation.
MLR announced the parameters of its 2021 season with a season start of March 20th and an end date of August 1st. In between will be an 18 week regular season, topped off by an Eastern and Western conference final and a League final.
The Local Sport Relief Fund has been developed to provide one-time financial relief for non-profit, community level sport organizations, clubs and associations at risk of collapse or insolvency due to the impacts of COVID-19. The fund is supported by the Province of B.C. and administered through viaSport British Columbia.
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is pleased to confirm coaching appointments for two former Canadian international players, Dr. Maria Gallo and Phil Mack.
from World Rugby
Eden Park, a venue steeped in Rugby World Cup history having hosted the mens finals in 1987 and the opening match and final in 2011, will break new ground as the host of the womens edition of a Rugby World Cup for the first time.
George Jones was a great rugby supporter and his rugby scholarship fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation has helped a number of rugby athletes further their rugby and professional careers. Julia Folk, Emma Watson, Lauren Kerr, Adrienne Saari, Brittany Sims, Ciel Arbour-Boehme, Danika Elias, Zana Everett, Lyric Atchison, Mackenzie Carson were some of the deserving winners.