Updates from Rugby Canada’s AGM
Dara Parker elected to the Rugby Canada Board of Directors while Lauren Wolman and Sandy Donald were re-elected each for a three-year term.
Rugby Canada held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on Friday, April 11, 2025. The following items were presented or voted upon at the formal AGM:
Territorial Land Acknowledgement
The AGM began with a bilingual territorial land acknowledgement, recognizing the lands on which rugby is played across Canada. From coast-to-coast our game is played on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Inuit, Metis and First Nations peoples, and acknowledgement was made to the lək̓ʷəŋən [Le-KWUNG-en] peoples on whose traditional territory the Rugby Canada head office and training centre is located. Rugby Canada acknowledges the role we play in the many relationships that make up our home and are committed to a spirit of reconciliation for the future.
Elections to the Board of Directors for Rugby Canada
Sandy Donald (Secretary and Board representative on the Legacy Committee) and Lauren Wolman (Chair of the Governance Committee) were both elected for a second three-year
term.
Dara Parker has been elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term. Parker is a seasoned social impact leader with 20+ years of experience driving systemic change. As CEO of Toniic, she leads private asset owners toward positive net impact. Her work spans major philanthropic organizations like the Vancouver Foundation, UN Association in Canada, and UN-Habitat. Dara holds a Master’s in Planning from UBC and is fluent in French.
There is one vacancy on the board this year and the potential for three vacancies next year, with one director completing their second three-year term and two directors finishing their first terms.
The Rugby Canada Board of Directors for 2025/26 consists of:
Kathleen McGinn (Chair)
Steve Swaffield (Vice-Chair)
Sandy Donald (Secretary)
Jim Logan (Treasurer)
Lauren Wolman
Karen Paquin
David Fortier
Jebb Sinclair
Sean Hofstetter
Tara Erskine
Dara Parker
Additional governance-related matters presented and approved included updates to the By-Laws. These revisions align with Rugby Canada's ongoing commitment to best governance practices, reflecting a proactive effort to strengthen and enhance organizational oversight.
2024 Annual Report & Audited Financial Statements
The 2024 audited financial statements and annual report have been posted to the Rugby Canada website for viewing HERE. 2024 saw solid financial stewardship which prioritized a balanced approach to our game. Continued commitment to the financial stability of Rugby Canada, as articulated in the strategic plan, will allow a second year of investment into Canada's Men’s and Women’s Sevens and fifteens teams. We look forward to pursuing excellence on the field while maintaining fiscal discipline inside the Union.
In Memoriam
Rugby Canada acknowledged members of the rugby community – friends, mentors, teammates, coaches, volunteers and leaders - lost to us during 2024, calling on all to honour their memory with gratitude and respect.
Alberta
Steve Warren - Fort McMurray Knights
Michael Brown - Strathcona Druids
Chris Yau - Calgary Hornets
Ronald Robichaud - Calgary Rams & Calgary Hornets
Hilda Peters - Fort McMurray Knights
Saskatchewan
Mike McGuffin – Krems RFC
Jamie Hawthorn – Rogues RFC
Ontario
Molly Tanner - Ajax Wanderers RFC
Curtis Crawford - Bytown Blues RFC and Belleville Bulldogs RFC
Ray March - Peterborough RUFC
Erin Cull - Peterborough RUFC
Ken Courser - Brantford Harlequins RFC
Simon Lewis "SR" - Burlington Centaurs RFC / Welsh Choir
Kevin Jones - Aurora Barbarians/Ajax Wanderers/Ontario Sr. Women/Canada Sr. Women
Steve Bernardo - Aurora Barbarians
About Rugby Canada:
Rugby Canada proudly serves as the national governing body for rugby in Canada, dedicated to growing and supporting the sport across the country. With a strong commitment to excellence, they oversee all the men’s and women’s national teams in both rugby 15s and 7s. In partnership with ten Provincial Union members, Rugby Canada also nurtures the club and community game, representing over 41,000 participants from coast to coast.
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. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC SVNS Vancouver annual tournament. For more information, please contact: media@rugby.ca.