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Rugby Canada receives funding for goal of earning World Cup berth

Rugby Canada could lose roughly $1 million annually if the men’s 15s doesn’t qualify
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(Black Press file photo)

Canada’s men’s national rugby team is in danger of not qualifying for the next World Cup.

But their finances won’t be what holds them back.

According to a statement released Tuesday, Rugby Canada will pony up an extra $450,000 to pay staff and players to train for the repechage tournament in November, where they hope to get onto the sport’s biggest stage and qualify for additional funding officials deem necessary for keeping the country’s men’s rugby program healthy.

Rugby Canada receives more than $2 million annually from World Rugby for all national senior team and U-20 men’s programs. If Canada does not qualify for the 2019 men’s Rugby World Cup it could mean a loss of more than $1 million annually from World Rugby.

“Qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup is vital to the future of the sport in Canada and the health and well-being of all Rugby Canada programs. Every effort is being made to help our Senior Men’s Fifteens team qualify,” Rugby Canada said in the statement.

Rugby Canada worked with the Provincial Rugby Unions who decided by a majority vote to increase dues to come up with the funds. Of the eight provinces in attendance at the meeting, the B.C. Rugby Union was the only one that did not vote in favour because Rugby Canada couldn’t guarantee the increase would only be for one year.

“We know it is a big ask, and as players we want nothing more than to be successful for our fans across Canada and make you proud. This is a solid plan and we have trust that with your help we will be successful,” said Phil Mack, Captain of Canada’s Men’s Team.

“Obviously this isn’t where any of us would like to be right now, and I can assure you that we are doing everything we can to be physically and mentally ready for the challenge that lies ahead of us. Knowing that we have support from coast-to-coast provides a huge boost for us.”

Head coach Kingsley Jones developed a detailed plan that includes hiring a full-time assistant defense specialist coach to assist him. The money will also be spent on keeping professional European players in Langford for the centralized program to practice and play in at least a dozen test matches before the repechage tournament.

The national men’s 15s rugby team had a chance to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in February, but they lost to Uruguay 70-60 in a two-game aggregate-point series. Uruguay beat Canada in the first game 38-29 and 32-31 in the second.


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lindsey.horsting@goldstreamgazette.com