Rugby Canada AGM Report and Financials: Sally Dennis Replaced by Kathleen McKinn as Chair of Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada held their AGM on April 12th and today released the AGM report and financials.
The Rugby Canada AGM Report is here. The financials are here.
One point worth noting is the Chair of the Rugby Canada board has changed from Sally Dennis to Kathleen McKinn.
Sally Dennis will be remembered as the Chair of the Rugby Canada board when the Canadian men failed to make the Rugby World Cup for the first time in history, then to add insult to injury Head Coach Kingsley Jones had his contract renewed despite the failure. She was also Chair when American Nathan Bombrys was named as CEO of Rugby Canada. Also while Chair she was appointed as Canada’s representative on the Council of World Rugby replacing Pat Parfrey.
What do we know about the new Chair, Kathleen McKinn?
- Instructor: Governance & Ethics of Data Analytics at Humber College
- Executive Director, Founder & Chair, EMPWR Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes better recovery outcomes for sport-related concussions
- Director: Proof Strategies, “a communications and public relations partner asking better questions to uncover insights, build trust & achieve success”
- Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Co-Founder, Beer Bistro Food Service and Import co. “We created a pathway for craft beer in the city and taught Torontonians that it is worthy of their time, attention, and consumption.”
- CBC/Radio-Canada, Co-Host, Bi-weekly French Language National Program
- Rugby Ontario, Chair & President
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on Friday, April 12, 2024. The following items were presented or voted upon at the formal AGM:
Territorial Land Acknowledgement
The AGM began with a bilingual territorial land acknowledgement, recognizing the lands on which rugby is played across Canada. From coast-to-coast our game is played on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Inuit, Metis and First Nations peoples, and acknowledgement was made to the lək̓ʷəŋən [Le-KWUNG-en] peoples on whose traditional territory the Rugby Canada head office and training centre is located. Rugby Canada acknowledges the role we play in the many relationships that make up our home and are committed to a spirit of reconciliation for the future.
Elections to the Board of Directors for Rugby Canada
After being appointed to the Rugby Canada Board as a Director in 2017, Sally Dennis became the first woman to hold the office of Chair in Rugby Canada’s history. Sally skillfully stewarded the organization out of the pandemic and into a new era for rugby in Canada. Her work ethic, professionalism and leadership were cornerstones of the organization’s rebuilding as she set the bar high and challenged everyone to reach it. Following the official end of Sally’s second term of service, the Board of Directors elected Kathleen McGinn as incoming Chair.
Rugby Canada also welcomed two new directors elected through a robust nomination process. Tara Erskine, a seasoned attorney from Nova Scotia, and Sean Hofstetter, former President of Rugby Alberta and accomplished business consultant, will join the Board as a Director for a three-year term, both effective April 12th, 2024. In addition, Kathleen McGinn, David Fortier and Karen Paquin were re-elected for a second term.
The Rugby Canada Board of Directors for 2024/25 consists of:
· Kathleen McGinn (Chair)
· Steve Swaffield (Vice-Chair)
· Sandy Donald (Secretary)
· Jim Logan (Treasurer)
· Lauren Wolman
· Karen Paquin
· David Fortier
· Jebb Sinclair
· Sean Hofstetter
· Tara Erskine
2023 Annual Report & Audited Financial Statements
The 2023 audited financial statements and annual report have been posted to the Rugby Canada website for viewing HERE. The French annual report will be available for May 3, 2024. The organization saw solid financial performance and management in 2023 which included improved liquidity and revenue performance.
In Memoriam
Rugby Canada acknowledged honoured members of the rugby community lost in 2023, for their contributions to rugby in Canada:
Bill Webb, Rugby Canada Director and Toronto Arrows RFC
Pat Aldous, former national team player, Board member, Chair, COC Representative and Board member for the Canada Sevens tournaments
Rugby Canada also acknowledged all members of the rugby community lost to the provincial unions during 2023:
British Columbia
Ted Bishop
Geoff Postle
Pat Aldous
Ted Hunt
Fuku Viklaini
Kevin Wirachowski
Alberta
Chris Thompson – Calgary Irish
F.G (Derick) Wright – Calgary Irish
David Dietrich – Calgary Hornets
Gerry Nufer – Calgary Hornets
Irv Hingst – Calgary Rams
Manitoba
Paul Harland
Wayne Guenther
Saskatchewan
Terry “Benny” Bendel
Ken O’Sullivan
Dawn Williams
Scott Felton
Keefe Pendleton
Paul Kobayashi
Ontario (2022/2023)
Ian Campbell
Mike Cox
Rick Fleming
Bill Fritz
Elizabeth Hodgson
Derek Maunder
Scott McLatchie
Bill McLaughlin
Paul Myers
Hal Rowan
Peter Sloan
Craig Waters
Ontario (2023/2024)
Robert Nicholss
Ingatius “Cholo” Manso
Glen Steen
Jadyn Sage
Peter Peebles
Quebec
Charles (Chas) Goode
Nova Scotia
Tim Keddy
Dale Gennette
Chair’s Award
The Chair’s Award was conferred on the late Bill Webb, for his extraordinary contributions to rugby in Canada. Player, coach, builder, innovator, investor, advocate and donor, incredibly generous with his kindness and support, Bill was a giant in Canada’s rugby community, and is greatly missed.
Special Recognition
The following individuals were recognized for their contributions to rugby in Canada and their work as members of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors or Provincial Union Leads:
Mark Lewis, Eldon Hall, Tim Comeau, Ryan Lloyd, Patrick Ryan and Dave Simpson. Also, former Board Member Phil Otto, and Doug Campbell for his many years of contribution to Rugby Canada, most recently as its representative to the Canadian Olympic Committee.