Six recipients selected for Rugby Canada’s 2023 Women in Leadership Fund
Women in Leadership
In the third year of the program, the 2023 edition of the fund will award six recipients from rugby club executive committees and provincial boards across the country funding of up to $2000 to pursue development opportunities that will enhance their ability to lead from within our sport.
December 18, 2023 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the six successful applicants of the 2023 Women in Leadership Fund.
In the third year of the program, the 2023 edition of the fund will award six recipients from rugby club executive committees and provincial boards across the country funding of up to $2000 to pursue development opportunities that will enhance their ability to lead from within our sport. It is the goal of the program to provide a strong and diverse leadership base in Canada.
“This year, we’ve seen an increased interest in the program, more questions, more discussions, leading to more applications,” said Jackie Tittley, Training and Education Manager for Rugby Canada. “It is clear there is a need for the fund and the amount of interest may help us expand the fund in the future.”
2023 Women in Leadership Fund Recipient List
Christie Westbrook
Location: Saskatchewan
Current Role: VP Women, Sask Rugby Board of Directors
Provincial Union: Sask Rugby
Focus: Sustainable provincial operating systems
Jenna Thompson
Location: Quebec
Current Role: President
Club: Montreal Barbarians RFC
Focus: Reducing barriers to participation for community groups
Katie Gordon
Location: British Columbia
Current Role: Treasurer
Club: 1697s Rugby
Focus: Sustainable practices for remote region of Northern BC
Leanne Stillman
Location: Ontario
Current Role: Director of Junior Rugby
Club: Toronto Nomads
Focus: Building club executive efficiencies
Terri-Lynn Hamilton
Location: Alberta
Current Role: President
Club: Airdrie Highlanders
Focus: Sustainable club practices
Tracy Roberts
Current Role: Treasurer
Location: Ontario
Club: Middlesex Huron
Focus: Club volunteer management
All six recipients were required to submit an application that included a high-level summary of their background in rugby and a personal impact statement on their leadership aspirations. Also required was a development plan outlining the activities, courses or programs each applicant planned to attend along with a letter of endorsement from their provincial union’s Executive Director, CEO, President of the Board or the President of their club.
“There is no shortage of committed, quality volunteers in our system, and every year it becomes more challenging to select only a handful to support through this fund,” Tittley added. “The true measure of success of this program that I hope for will be how those selected can continue to raise up other diverse voices around them.”
Alongside Rugby Canada’s Women in Leadership Fund, Rugby Ontario has offered two additional recipients through their own Rugby Ontario Women in Leadership Fund.
“We are excited to invest in the future of rugby in Ontario through championing women in leadership roles in alignment with our Strategic Plan,” said Jocelyn Poirer, Rugby Development Manager for Rugby Ontario. “Rugby Canada has created an excellent initiative to diversify leadership in our sport that we are proud to support and expand.”
Details of the 2024 Women in Leadership Fund will be announced at a later date. For more information, please email jtittley@rugby.ca.
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, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Vancouver Sevens annual tournaments.