Canadian Rugby Foundation Updates: 12 Scholarships Awarded; National Senior Women’s XVs Monty Heald Fund Update
Scholarships
The Canadian Rugby Foundation recently awarded 12 scholarships from the George Jones Fund (7) and the Thomas Family Fund (5). The names are listed below, click on the links below to read the scholarship winner profiles.
George Jones Scholarships
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Zachary Aldus
Marilee Archer
Randall Barton
Ashley Hammer
Anwuli Obi-Ossai
Rebecca Yang
Samantha-Joline Blum
Thomas Family Scholarships
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Isabelle Grise
Marlowe Kemp
Ryan Matthews
Sierra Stewart
Hunter Twigg
Monty Heald Fund Update from Stephanie White
Dear Friends of Womens Rugby,
It is with excitement and anticipation that I am sending you this update on our National Senior Womens XVs team. It has been a tough year for sport in Canada, yet we still have Rugby Canada Womens Alumni doing amazing things for the game. I thought I would reflect on what but a few of our past players have accomplished in 2020… there are no doubt more.
Kelly Russell Head Coach of Rugby Canada Maple Leaf Academy, Assistant Coach Canada U20 Womens 15
Dr. Maria Gallo Currently Canada Womens 15s assistant coach, recently named an Intern in the World Rugby Coaching Development Program
Dr Araba Chinton World Rugby Executive Leadership Scholarship recipient (2018) and now on the board of Own the Podium and Rugby Americas North Executive Committee Member as well as on World Rugbys Medical Committee
Julianne Zussman World Rugby Match Official
Dr. Sommer Christie – National Womens team Mental Performance consultant
Maria Sampson Rugby Canada Board Member
Andrea Burke – Broadcaster Womens Sevens CBC Sports
We should be very proud of our RC Leaders in the Womens game at the National/International level.
I know everyone is looking forward to next year!
The draw for the Rugby World Cup 2021 In New Zealand has been done and our pool (B) is: Canada, USA, Europe1 and Asia1.
Though we had a strong plan for tests and camps in 2020 we were unable to get together at all due to Covid. The 6 nations (England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland) have managed to play through a split series in March and November. New Zealand has a strong regional competition that was played as well as the NZ Blackferns played twice vs NZ Barbarians. In order to get some Canadians playing again, over twenty players have chosen to go overseas to the UK and French leagues. Others here at home are in domestic training groups. All players are being monitored by strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists and our management staff.
Head coach Sandro Fiorino has built an exciting plan for 2021 leading into the World Cup and while it continues to change due to covid, I can share a basic outline. Currently and in the first quarter of the new year, players will continue on their chosen training path as outlined above. Then we will have a series of three camps:
– Selection Camp 40+ players (April/May)
– Test Series Camp (minimum of THREE tests venue TBD- may mean overseas travel June/July timeframe)
– Final Camp- WC roster (August)
On SEPT 17, 2021……our RUGBY WORLD CUP KICKS OFF!
Rugby Canada is doing its best, but Covid has not been kind to the sporting world and no events means funding for operations is down considerably. The Monty Heald fund is still very much needed to support the players and ensure they can continue to develop Body, Mind, and Craft in an enhanced High Performance environment and be ready for World Cup 2021.
Please give generously, all donations will receive a tax receipt from the Canadian Rugby Foundation. You can donate online (click here) or via cheque to the Monty Heald Fund at the Canadian Rugby Foundation.
Canadian Rugby Foundation
709 Yates St.
PO Box 8003
Victoria, BC
V8W 3R7
Remember that your donation goes directly to support the Senior Womens team.
Thank you for your past donations and continued support.
Stephanie White Barry Giffen
Chairperson MHF Board of Directors, Canadian Rugby Foundation