Canada U20 Support Group start fundraising campaign
Contributed Article
Age Grade
The following is an update provided by the U20 Support Group that is contributing to the development of Rugby in Canada through their ongoing support of our age grade rugby programs.
The Canada U20 Support Group is trying to develop Canadian rugby by improving the Canada U20 program and is in the process of identifying potential donors.
Rugby Canada and all the provinces have unanimously agreed upon a three year national competition structure and player pathway for Canada's U20 program, starting at U17 up to U20. For the men the objectives are to win the World Rugby Trophy and to provide players for the RWC 2023 and the Olympics.
The budget for the 2019 men’s U20 program is $400,000 and for the U18 program $180,000. The U20 program is planned as no-pay-to pay but players did pay a total of $30,000 and the U18 program is currently pay-to-play. The Support group wishes to decrease the barriers to participation by reducing the costs to players and their families of playing for Canada and to improve playing standards by playing more games.
The Canadian Rugby Foundation has agreed to raise capital so that the interest from this capital can sustain the program. We have already obtained commitments for $1 million, with one donor spending their money in real time (no capital investment). Donors may be from individuals or businesses and ALL the money will be targeted at the program of interest to the donor, either men or women, U18 or U20.
This year the efforts of the CRF will provide the Men’s U20 program with $58,000. Confirmed donors are as follows:
The Support Group will meet with interested people as follows:
1. Vancouver, the Red Lion ,Thursday May 30, 4pm PT
2.Victoria, The Bard and Banker, Thursday June 6 4.30 pm PT
3. Other cities to be arranged.
U20 Support Group:
David Robertson, Andrew Purdey, Mike Holmes.
Steph White, Bill Webb, Pat Parfrey