Rugby Canada announces Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Hall of Fame
Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the Hall of Fame class for 2024. Nine Canadian rugby icons will have their distinguished careers celebrated forever as they enter the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame.
January 15, 2025 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the Hall of Fame class for 2024. Nine Canadian rugby icons will have their distinguished careers celebrated forever as they enter the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame.
Since the inaugural Class of 2016, the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame has recognized and welcomed the most dedicated and decorated members of Canada’s rugby community to its growing list.
The Rugby Canada Hall of Fame was established to honour and preserve rugby’s culture and heritage in Canada by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of rugby participants throughout our country.
“This year’s class of inductees to the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame showcases nine outstanding women and men who have brought honour and fame, on and off the field, to the history of rugby in Canada,” said Mike Luke, Chair Rugby Canada's Hall of Fame Project Team. “Their skills as former international rugby players and match officials, administrators and leaders in the game, have made significant contributions to Canada’s place in the rugby world.”
Please view a brief overview of the inductees below and click on the corresponding links to learn more about each inductee’s outstanding contributions to the sport of rugby in Canada.
CLASS OF 2024
Eddie Evans – Player
Eddie Evans was a prominent Canadian rugby player who had a distinguished career spanning 14 years, from 1985 to 1999. Over the course of his career, he earned 50 caps and played in three Rugby World Cups.
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Ed Fairhurst – Player
Ed Fairhurst had an illustrious career representing both Canada’s Men's Rugby Team and Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team. He played for 12 years with Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, from 2001 to 2012, earning 57 international caps and participating in three Rugby World Cups.
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Joyce Henry – Match Official
Joyce Henry made a significant impact in the Canadian rugby community as a match official, serving on the National Referee Panel from 2004 to 2012. Over the course of her career, she officiated 16 test matches, including two Rugby World Cups in 2006 and 2010.
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John Hutchinson – Player
John Hutchinson represented Canada at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups and scored eight tries during his international career. Hutchinson also played for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team from 1993 to 1995.
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Ian Hyde-Lay – Match Official
Ian Hyde-Lay had a distinguished career as both a player and a match official. He served on Rugby Canada's National Refereeing Panel for 11 years, from 1993 to 2003, and was widely regarded as one of the country's preeminent referees during that time.
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Colette McAuley - Builder
Colette McAuley has made significant contributions to Canadian rugby as both a player and a builder of the sport. She served as a Director on the Board of Rugby Canada from 2003 to 2007 and has been a key member of the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame Project Team from 2021 to 2024.
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Barbara Mervin – Player
Barbara Mervin had a remarkable rugby career, representing Canada for over a decade with both Canada’s women’s U23, 15s and 7s national teams. She played for Canada’s Women’s 15s Team for 12 years from 2006 to 2017 competing at three Rugby World Cups.
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Rick Powers – Builder
Rick Powers has been a pivotal figure in the development of rugby and sport governance in Canada, with a distinguished career in leadership roles. After serving as President of the Ontario Rugby Union, he served as Vice Chair of Rugby Canada from 2003 to 2010, contributing to the organization’s strategic direction, and was also a committee member during the same period, focusing on governance and marketing.
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DTH van der Merwe – Player
DTH van der Merwe is one of the most iconic players in Canadian rugby history. Over a remarkable 14-year career, from 2006 to 2019, he earned 61 caps for Canada and played in four Rugby World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019).
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ABOUT THE RUGBY CANADA HALL OF FAME
In October 2016, a nine-member ‘Ways and Means Committee’ was established to develop a plan to honour and preserve rugby’s culture and heritage in Canada by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of rugby’s participants throughout the country through the Awards and Recognition program. The Awards and Recognition Program and the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame recognize the efforts of those that have made a significant impact on the sport of rugby in Canada.