Through the support of the Canadian Rugby Foundation, 26 young Canadians had the chance of a life time to compete in the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Russia.

Through the efforts of the Foundation's Executive Director Matthuw Ronald-Jones, sponsors were found to eliminate the pay-to-play model for the third straight year and Canadian under-20 men's rugby head coach Tim Murdy was able to select his players regardless of their financial situations.

Sponsors donated $3,000 per player of which $1,000 went directly to an already established endowment which sponsored one player this year and as the fund grows it will sponsor more. The 'Captains' Fund,' which was founded by former Canadian internationals Mark Wyatt and Ian MacMillan, has grown to over $125,000.00 and the interest generated this past year sponsored Newfoundland's Patrick Parfrey in his pursuit of international rugby.

Each of the sponsors dug deep for a program that in the past two years has produced six new caps on the senior men's national team, seven carded athletes, 11 players for the senior men's sevens team and 18 players in the recent America's Rugby Championship.

Canadian Rugby Foundation board members Pat Aldous, Bob Hager, Bruce McFarlane and Rugby Canada board members Rick Bourne and Richard Powers provided sponsorship packages for a third straight year.

"The Canadian Rugby Foundation is very proud of the work that the coaching staff and players commit to our National U20 program and we were keen to support the team for 2010," Ronald-Jones said.
Canadian Under-20 Captain and full-time university student Andrew Crow said the efforts behind the sponsorship have not gone unnoticed.

"We are enormously grateful for the kind generosity and support the sponsors have extended towards our team," Crow said. "Donations provide a way for our team members to attend important training and selection camps without having to worry about the financial aspect of playing the game we all love. The support allows us to focus on two main priorities: school and athletics."

Those interested in sponsoring the Canadian U20 rugby program with a tax deductible donation are encouraged to contact the Canadian Rugby Foundation's Executive Director Matthuw Ronald-Jones at mrj@canadianrugbyfoundation.ca or 1(250)386-5350.