Two BC Rugby Clubs have been successful in their applications to receive support through the HSBC Bank Community Rugby Fund in its inaugural year of operation.

Rugby Canada announced on Tuesday both Comox Valley Rapids Rugby Association and Axemen Rugby Club are among the eight successful applicants and will utilise funding to deliver Indigenous programming in BC.

Over 100 applications were received for this past year’s HSBC Bank Community Rugby Fund, a program that offers a wide breadth of grants aimed at benefitting the sustainability and growth of rugby across Canada. The Fund, presented in partnership by Rugby Canada and HSBC Bank Canada, allows all registered Rugby Clubs, as well as schools and community organisations in Canada, to apply for funding.

Eight successful applications were selected to receive funding, from a total of seven provinces and one territory, with each successful application offering an exciting approach and desire to grow and develop the sport of Rugby across Canada. Special consideration was given to projects that:

• Focused on increasing female representation within a Club, school, or community organisation;
• Enhance or support participants that are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour to become involved with or stay involved with Rugby;
• Introduce New Programs within a Rugby community that did not previously exist.

“It has been fantastic to see the engagement and passion from the Canadian Rugby community to grow our sport through this initial application process,” said Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Levchuk. “We are elated to be able to support the HSBC Bank Community Rugby Fund and this year’s successful applicants as they undertake each initiative to help develop the sport of Rugby in their respective communities.”

Details of the 2022 HSBC Bank Community Rugby Fund will be announced at a later date.

A list of successful applicants can be found here.