RUGBY IN THE SQUARE – FRIDAY 8thJUNE
Rugby Ontario – The iconic Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall will be transformed into an exciting full day festival of rugby.
(TORONTO, ON) – Rugby Ontario and the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF) are delighted to host Rugby in the Square presented by the Toronto Wolfpack on June 8, 2018 at the iconic Nathan Phillips Square. The event will feature a five a-side Rugby Tournament for corporate teams from across the City alongside skill demonstrations, a mixed abilities rugby showcase and a range of fan activities.
This multi-stakeholder event will provide a platform for increased awareness about rugby programs in the province of Ontario, while raising funds to support future rugby champions. Toronto Wolfpack, the city’s professional rugby league team, will proudly support the event as presenting sponsor.
Rugby in the Square’s Fast-Five Flag Rugby will combine skills from Rugby Union, Rugby League, Rugby 7’s and tag rugby. The event’s round-robin tournament invites 12 pre-registered teams to play a minimum of three 20-minute games on turf playing surface. The top four teams have the chance to compete for the tournament championship. Toronto Wolfpack players will feature on the day as the team heads into the heart of their season in Toronto.
An Après Rugby Reception will follow the event which includes celebration and a silent auction. Taking place at the nearby Quinn’s Steakhouse, participating players will be invited to enjoy food and drinks together after the game – in true rugby fashion.
EVENT RUNDOWN:
Team Captain Registration 9:00am-10:00am
Round Robin Games 10:00am – 2:00pm
Lunch Time Music Performance by Ferraro 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Mixed Abilities Rugby Showcase 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Semi Finals and Finals 3:30pm – 4:30pm
‘Après-Rugby’ Social at Quinn’s Steakhouse 5:00pm
MIXED ABILITIES SHOWCASE
Rugby in the Square also debuts and celebrates inclusivity with Canada’s first Mixed Abilities Rugby Showcase in partnership with the Abilities Centre. Participants of the Abilities Centre’s Thrive Program along with tournament participants, take to the turf at 2:30pm to promote social inclusion, equitable access to healthy lifestyle choices and drive support for Canada to put forward a team in the Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament in 2019. Stuart McReynolds, Director of Sport, Recreation and Partnerships for the Abilities Centre said:
“Abilities Centre is delighted to work with Rugby Ontario in the development of Mixed Ability Rugby. We are encouraged by Rugby Ontario’s commitment to ensure that persons of all abilities have access to quality participation opportunities. Through the Centre for Sport Innovation & Inclusion initiative, Abilities Centre and Rugby Ontario have developed and implemented strategies to work towards ensuring that persons of all abilities have an opportunity to participate in rugby in an inclusive environment. We look forward to continuing this work together and showcasing the importance and value of inclusion.”
Trust Rugby International, an organization founded to create a proactive platform for working towards a society that values diversity, equality and inclusivity, has also expressed their support for this initiative. Jamie Armstrong, Founding Partner of Trust Rugby International, commended Rugby Ontario and the Abilities Centre:
EVENT PARTNERS
Rugby in the Square is made possible by some of our great partners. The partners who are helping to support the cause are listed below:
- Toronto Wolfpack, Presenting Sponsor and Corporate Team
- Abilities Centre, Mixed Abilities Showcase Partner
- Aedelhard, Pitch, On-Site and Prizing Partner
- Gilbert Rugby Canada, On-site and Game Ball Partner
- Medallion Print Solutions, Printing Partner
- Sportside Medical Services, Medical Partner
- Under Armour Canada, Merchandise Partner
- The Park Sports Facility Inc., Combine Partner
- Branded Cities, Digital Media Partner
- City of Toronto, Venue Partner
- Honda, On-site Partner
- Abbot Environmental, Corporate Team
- Blackshire Capital, Corporate Team
- Brook Restoration, Corporate Team
- CIBC, Corporate Team
- Dineen Coffee, Corporate Team
- Eventi Capital, Corporate Team
- Sherrard Kuzz LLP, Corporate Team
- TD Securities, Corporate Team
- Tenzing Capital, Corporate Team
- Velocity Trade, Corporate Team
QUOTES
“We are extremely excited about this event. We have a supportive and passionate rugby community, and this event gives members of that community the chance to support the future of rugby and attend a one-of-a-kind event.” – Michael Brown, CEO of Rugby Ontario
“Champions in sport are built by champions for sport. We are thrilled to be able to provide a platform for rugby enthusiasts, rugby-curious, and future-fans to explore, and experience, elements of the game in the heart of the city.” – Amanda Neale-Robinson, Interim Executive Director of Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation
“We believe the world is a better place with more rugby balls in kids’ hands. This is a vision shared by Rugby Ontario and TIRF, which has brought our organisations closer together in the last 12 months. In working in partnership on events like this we can better engage the rugby community in Ontario, and work together to our ultimate goal of creating a global centre for rugby excellence in Toronto.” – Scott Lidbury
ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO
Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to establish a stronger identity for rugby in Ontario by promoting the sport’s core values and by fostering a culture of inclusiveness and excellence on and off the field of play. For more information, visit http://www.rugbyontario.com/.
ABOUT TORONTO INNER-CITY RUGBY FOUNDATION
Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF) is a rugby-centre community development organization that uses rugby as a tool for social good. TIRF, a registered non-profit founded in 2011, builds community through rugby in 31 of Toronto’s underserved neighbourhood improvement areas (NIA) and emerging neighbourhoods. TIRF, sanctioned by Rugby Canada and Rugby Ontario, works in partnership with more than 200 community partners. Through programming and services, TIRF reduces the financial, geographical, and cultural barriers that prevent children and youth from participating in sport. For more information, visit www.tirfrugby.ca.
ABOUT TORONTO WOLFPACK
Toronto Wolfpack are a professional Rugby League team dedicated to progressing through the RFL’s ranks, from League 1 to the Super League. They are the world’s first transatlantic major professional sports team. The Wolfpack began their journey in 2017 winning the Kingstone Press League 1 title and promotion in their inaugural season. In 2018 the Wolfpack are competing in the Betfred Championship for the first time. The majority of their home games are held at Lamport Stadium, Toronto, aka “The Den”. For more information, visit www.torontowolfpack.com.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Kevin Baxter
Communications Coordinator
Rugby Ontario
kbaxter@rugbyontario.com
(647) 560-4790 x 1006
Website: www.rugbyinthesquare.com
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