In 2012 the fund was branded and we set the goal to build a $1,000,000 CAD endowment, held in an account managed by the Canadian Rugby Foundation, in Victoria, B.C. Approximately 30% of each year’s net fundraising revenue goes towards supporting Canadian players and funding the development of Rugby Canada’s national 7s programs. The 30% goes towards hiring more coaches, training programs, the ability to enter more tournaments and the ability to search for new talent across Canada.
Our 2019 fundraising goal is not just to bring a winning team to the Hong Kong 7s, but to help finance the efforts to assemble and train a competitive national squad to compete on an international level against professionally funded countries.
The annual Canadian Rugby 7s luncheon, has become a focal point to raise awareness and financial support for the team and to gather Canadian rugby supporters.
By providing solid, consistent funding, program managers and coaches will be able to plan in advance and work strategically to best commit the staff, players and funding, and:
In 2016 we introduced the Direct to Players incentive program to raise a pool of cash to reward the players for exceptional performance specifically at the Hong Kong 7s tournament. This program sets a C$ payout to each player on the Hong Kong 7s roster based on their tournament finish. Cash payouts are made for top 9 finishes ranging from 100% of funds raised for a Cup win (1st place) to 20% for a Bowl win (9th place). Funds not paid out are set aside to ensure this program continues in the future.
This year we are raising money for an Olympic Fund as qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics is a very important add on to the 2018/19 HSBC 7s Series.
The funds raised will go directly towards helping the teams Olympic qualification bid. Nothing will be contingent on performance. The reason for this fundraising is simple – money is tight and Olympic qualification goals strains their budget. This leaves our team at a disadvantage to the top teams. Not only have they lost their dedicated strength and conditioning coach, but, the team is unable to arrive to tournaments as early as they’d like to overcome jet lag and better prepare. These two handicaps are compounded in an extended season.
Finally, the Olympics is the biggest stage for the Rugby 7s and this time it will be in Asia. Winning an Olympic medal is a childhood dream of many and these players can take a step towards that dream with our help. This is the same core team that won the Singapore 7s two years ago and the same team that beat the defending Olympic Champions Fiji in Vancouver earlier this month. Qualifying, competing and medalling in Tokyo is well within their reach.
The Canada Rugby 7s Fund wishes the team well in the rest of their season and look forward to their futures successes.
Planning for our 2020 annual luncheon and box seat sales starts in August so if you missed out this year, please contact kristenharris@canada7sfund.com if you would like to join us to show your support. Fundraising efforts have expanded to encompass online auctions, major raffles and off the field lobbying at year round events.