Six recipients selected for Rugby Canada’s 2024 Women in Leadership Fund

March 10, 2025 (Langford, BC) – As part of celebrating International Women’s Day this past Saturday, Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the six successful applicants of the 2024 Women in Leadership Fund.  

In December 2024, six new recipients were selected to receive up to $2000 in funding to pursue development opportunities designed to enhance their leadership skills within the sport. Chosen from rugby club executive committees and provincial boards across the country, the program aims to build a strong and diverse leadership base in Canada. 

“The 2024, we received the highest number of applications since the fund began in 2021,” said Steph Veal, Senior Manager of Game Development for Rugby Canada. “It is clear there is a need for the fund with the amount of interest we continue to see year after year and the positive impact it has had on each individual and their local rugby community.”  

2024 Women in Leadership Fund Recipient List 

Name: Tiffany Floud 
Location: Ontario 
Current Role: Executive Committee Member and Program Coordinator 
Provincial Union: Peterborough RUFC & Bruce County RFC  
Focus: Leadership Development and Ethics in Sport  
 
Name: Sharmila Amin 
Location: Quebec 
Current Role: Secretary  
Club: Rugby Club de Montréal 
Focus: Grassroots Rugby Development  
 
Name: Leah Corvec 
Location: British Columbia 
Current Role: Executive Secretary / Administrator 
Club: Langley Rugby Club  
Focus: Grassroots Rugby Development 
 
Name: Sarah O’Connor 
Location: Nova Scotia 
Current Role: Director of Internal Competition (Rugby Nova Scotia Board of Directors) 
Club: Riverlake RFC 
Focus: Communications and Equitability 
 
Name: Shannon Atkins  
Location: Prince Edward Island 
Current Role: Member at Large  
Club: Prince Edward Island Rugby Union 
Focus: Grassroots Rugby Development 
 
Name: Kelly Zacny 
Current Role: President 
Location: Ontario  
Club: Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club 
Focus: Communications and Equitability 
 
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.    
 
Alongside Rugby Canada, Rugby Ontario offers their own Rugby Ontario Women in Leadership Fund.  

“In the first year of this program we have seen the impact this funding has had in expanding opportunities for women leaders to develop their skills and connect with others across the province and country,” said Jocelyn Poirer, Rugby Development Manager for Rugby Ontario. “The ripple effect that has for our members is only the beginning and we look forward to continuing to support the incredible women in our rugby community and grow this valuable network.” 
 
Details for Rugby Canada’s 2025 Women in Leadership Fund will be announced later this year. For more information, please email sveal@rugby.ca