Rugby Canada, with funding from the Government of Canada, is pleased to announce the 22 successful applicants for 2024 that will receive support through Rugby Canada’s Community Rugby Fund. This is the highest number of clubs selected in a single year since the fund began in 2021.

Congratulations to the seven BC-based Clubs that will receive the funding: Aurora Wolves Rugby Union, Axemen Rugby Club, Elk Valley Rugby Club, James Bay AA, Langley Rugby Club, Thunder Rugby and Williams Lake RFC!

2024 marks the fourth year of the Community Rugby Fund, which was made possible through the federal government’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI). The fund supports National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in establishing more accessible and locally organized sport programs aimed at reducing barriers to participation, particularly among Black, Indigenous and racialized communities as well as 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, people with low incomes, and newcomers. A total of $16.7 million in funding was provided to 39 NSOs, including Rugby Canada.

This year, Rugby Canada received 67 applications from across Canada and with 22 recipients selected for 2024, a total of 49 applications have now been approved for funding since the Community Rugby Fund began in 2021.

For 2024, priority was given to rugby clubs, schools or community organizations who applied for grant funding that focused on cultivating the community game with special consideration given to projects that:

• Create or develop a school-to-club pathway to increase the number of registered rugby players participating in club rugby.
• Enhance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility of rugby within a club, educational institution, or community organization, particularly for Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers to Canada.
• Create new programs or develop existing programs that aim to introduce women and girls to the game of rugby.
• Build program delivery capacity through the development of Coaches or Match Officials within the rugby community.

“2024 marks a monumental year for the Community Rugby Fund,” said Jamie Levchuk, Managing Director of Operations and Game Development for Rugby Canada. “This year we are proud to select 22 new recipients and provide $100 000 in total funding for the successful clubs, schools and community organizations who all displayed the ability to grow community and grassroots rugby in Canada. I look forward to seeing the long-lasting impact all our successful applications will have on our game.”