May 10, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team player Conor Keys announced Rugby Canada’s Free Youth Tickets initiative for Canada’s July 6 match against Scotland at TD Place at an event at Glebe Collegiate Institute on Thursday. 

Together, Mayor Sutcliffe and Conor Keys announced that school-aged children and youth in the Ottawa region have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team take on the world number six ranked Scotland for free, with the purchase of a ticket for an accompanying parent or adult. Families can register for their free ticket(s) using this link. This form will be open until May 31, 2024, after which a follow up communication will be sent on how to redeem the free ticket(s). 

“The aim of this initiative is to break down the barriers to sport participation, to inspire children and youth, to introduce more people to the sport of rugby, and to create a lasting legacy in Ottawa that promotes rugby and encourages kids to engage in physical activity,” said Mayor Sutcliffe. “It’s very exciting news and I hope you all are looking forward to cheering on Conor and his teammates in their big match against Scotland in July.” 

Following the Free Youth Tickets announcement, students at Glebe Collegiate Institute, an Ottawa high school located in close vicinity to TD Place, had an opportunity to meet and speak with Mayor Sutcliffe and Conor Keys, who grew up in Stittsville and started his rugby journey with the Barrhaven Scottish and the Ottawa Ospreys. Since earning his first cap for Canada in 2017, Keys has played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, becoming a leader on the Canadian squad, and currently plays professionally for the reigning MLR champions, the New England Free Jacks. 

“I signed up for rugby after Canada played Scotland in 2006, that’s where I started. My dad and my mom are both from Scotland originally, so when Canada was playing Scotland, they took me out to go watch,” said Keys. “This is an exciting opportunity for any kid to go watch a rugby game. This will hopefully inspire not only school-aged children, but also their parents to get involved with and watch rugby. Getting to play rugby in my hometown after being away for a while is an incredible feeling. I can’t express how much it means to me.” 

In addition to the Free Youth Tickets program, Rugby Canada will host a variety of free rugby festivals and events in Ottawa in July for children and youth to introduce them to the game of rugby, with further details to be announced soon. 

About Rugby Canada

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members. 

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.

Media Contact:

Liz Montroy
Manager, Communications
lmontroy@rugby.ca