Toronto Arrows

Last updated

Toronto Arrows
Toronto Arrows Logo.png
Full nameToronto Arrows
Nickname(s)Arrows
FoundedOntario Arrows
2017–2018
Toronto Arrows
since 2018 [1] [2]
Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ground(s) York Lions Stadium (Capacity: 4,000)
Coach(es) Steve Meehan
Captain(s) Lucas Rumball
Top scorer Sam Malcolm (212)
Most tries Gaston Mieres (11)
League(s) Major League Rugby
2023 6th (Eastern Conference)
Official website
torontoarrows.com

Toronto Arrows R.F.C. was a rugby union club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that played in Major League Rugby. [3] The Arrows team was an independent off-shoot of the Ontario Blues provincial programme and was funded by a group of private investors and supporters. [4] They are currently on hiatus following the 2023 season. [5]

Contents

History

Ontario Arrows logo.jpg
Ontario Arrows' logo
(2017–18)
Toronto Arrows logo.svg
Toronto Arrows first logo
(2018-23)
Bill Webb photo by Djuradj Vujcic.jpg
Co-founder and president Bill Webb

2017–2018: Ontario Arrows

The team was founded as the Ontario Arrows in 2017 with the intent of joining the Major League Rugby (MLR) competition for the 2019 season. [6] [7] [8] [9] The Arrows debuted September 9, 2017, in a match against the Glendale Merlins losing 41–7. [10]

In spring 2018, the Arrows played a six-game exhibition schedule against the Houston SaberCats, Rugby United New York, Utah Warriors, and Boston's Mystic River Rugby Club. The schedule was extended to include games against the Canada Selects. [11] The Arrows' 2018 home opener was a decided victory over the Mystic River Rugby Club.

In July 2018, the Arrows announced that MLR had granted them exclusive rights to negotiate for a franchise in Ontario. [12] In November 2018, MLR announced that the Arrows had joined the league for the 2019 season. At the same time, the Ontario Arrows changed their name to the Toronto Arrows. [13] The ownership group is led by Bill Webb, partner and chief investment officer at Waypoint Investment Partners. The ownership group also includes the former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Brian Burke, Boat Rocker Sports (a division of Boat Rocker Media), Duncan McNaughton, an assistant coach with the Canadian women's team and the Queen's University men, Kevin Reed of AR3 Capital, and John Ferraro of Mass Marketing Inc. [14] As MLR operates as a single entity league, the ownership group purchased an equity stake in the league, at the cost of a few million dollars, and received operating rights to a franchise in the Toronto market. [14] [15]

2019–2021: First MLR seasons

In the 2019 season the team split its home games between Alumni Field of York University and Lamport Stadium in its inaugural 2019 MLR season. [16]

After playing only five matches in 2020, the Arrows ceased play, along with the rest of the league, as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Due to border crossing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2021 season, the Arrows temporarily relocated to Marietta, Georgia, to share Rugby ATL's facilities at Lupo Family Field. [17]

2022–2023: Final seasons

For the 2022 season, the Arrows hosted their game against the LA Giltinis at Starlight Stadium in Langford, British Columbia, marking the first MLR regular season game to be held in the province. The remainder of their home games were played at the renovated York Lions Stadium, over 1,000 days after the team's previous home game in Toronto. [18]

On August 30, 2023, the Arrows announced the passing of president and general partner, Bill Webb. [19] Bill Webb's passing resulted in an outpouring of support from across the rugby world, including players, teams, leagues and foundations. [20] On November 27, 2023, it was announced that the Arrows would not compete in the 2024 MLR season. [21]

Broadcasts

For 2019, home games were shown on GameTV. Lincoln Rose and Kit McConnico were the on-air talent.

For 2020, TSN was announced as the Arrows broadcast partner. [22] Following the cancellation of the 2020 Major League Rugby season, TSN produced a 10-episode series, showing 60-minute highlights from chosen Arrows games, called "Arrows in an Hour." [23]

Sponsorship

SeasonKit manufacturerShirt sponsorOther shirt sponsor(s)
2018 XBlades Waypoint Investment PartnersBlackshire Capital
Dineen Coffee
360centre360
2019 Honda Canada Waypoint Investment Partners
2020–2021Paladin Sports
2022Coolbet Canada
2023TIRF (Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation)Metro Supply Chain Group
Foundation Physiotherapy & Wellness

Players and personnel

Head coaches

Captains

Team staff

As of January 2023, the members of the team staff are: [24]

Front office

Records

Season standings

SeasonConferenceRegular seasonPostseason
PosPldWDLFA+/−BPPtsPldWLFA+/−Result
2019 –3rd161105472362+11013571011730−13Lost Semifinal (Seattle Seawolves) 17–30
2020 [a] Eastern1st540115189+62319––––––Cancelled
2021 Eastern6th165011411412−11030––––––Did not qualify
2022 Eastern4th16808414390+24941––––––Did not qualify
2023 Eastern6th161213306601-295816––––––Did not qualify
Totals69292381,7541,854-100431631011730-131 postseason appearance

Notes

  1. ↑ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2018 season (exhibition)

All games in the 2018 season were exhibition games and did not count in the league standings.

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
March 3 Houston SaberCats Away Constellation Field Draw, 28–28
March 17 Rugby United New York Away Mazzella Field Lost, 19–36
April 6 Utah Warriors Away Rio Tinto Stadium Won, 24–20
April 14Rugby United New YorkHome York Alumni Stadium Cancelled due to weather
April 21 Mystic River Rugby Club Away Pine Banks Park Won, 29–19
May 5Mystic River Rugby ClubHomeYork Alumni StadiumWon, 77–8
May 18 Canada Selects Home York Lions Stadium Lost, 0–19
May 26Canada SelectsAway Westhills Stadium Lost, 28–58

2019 season

Exhibition

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
September 16, 2018 Glendale Raptors HomeYork Lions StadiumWon, 40–18
October 20, 2018 New England Free Jacks Home Wanderers Grounds Won, 40–14
January 12, 2019 Rugby United New York Neutral Buffalo Bills FieldhousePostponed
May 18, 2019 New England Free Jacks Away Brophy Field at Dartmouth's
Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse 		Postponed

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
January 26 New Orleans Gold Away Eagle Athletic Facility Lost, 31–36
February 8 Austin Elite Away Dell Diamond Won, 23–19
February 17 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium Lost, 30–35
February 22 Houston SaberCats Away Aveva Stadium Won, 44–27
March 2Glendale RaptorsAway Infinity Park Lost, 0–22
March 10 San Diego Legion Away Torero Stadium Won, 27–20
March 15Rugby United New YorkAway MCU Park Lost, 21–24
March 30 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Won, 64–31
April 7New Orleans GoldHome Alumni Field Lost, 31–35
April 21Houston SaberCatsHomeAlumni FieldWon, 35–21
April 28Seattle SeawolvesHomeAlumni FieldWon, 29–7
May 5San Diego LegionHome Lamport Stadium Won, 23–19
May 9Austin EliteHomeAlumni FieldWon, 24–13
May 12Utah WarriorsHomeLamport StadiumWon, 28–21
May 26Glendale RaptorsHomeLamport StadiumWon, 40–12
June 2Rugby United New YorkHomeLamport StadiumWon, 22–20

Post season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
June 9 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Sports Loss, 17–30

2020 season

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [25] On March 19, 2020, MLR announced that they had cancelled the season and all remaining games for 2020. [26]

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 9 Austin Gilgronis Away Circuit of the Americas Won, 38–10
February 16 Houston SaberCats Neutral Sam Boyd Stadium Won, 27–22
February 22 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Sports Complex Won, 39–17
March 1 Rugby ATL Away Life University Running Eagles Stadium Won, 28–18
March 6 Colorado Raptors Away Infinity Park Lost, 19–22
March 22 Rugby United New York Away MCU Park Cancelled
March 28 New Orleans Gold Away Gold Mine
April 4Utah WarriorsHomeYork Alumni Stadium
April 11 New England Free Jacks HomeYork Alumni Stadium
April 19Rugby ATLHome Lamport Stadium
April 26 Old Glory DC Away Cardinal Stadium
May 1New Orleans GoldHomeLamport Stadium
May 10 San Diego Legion HomeLamport Stadium
May 18New England Free JacksAway Union Point Sports Complex
May 22Rugby United New YorkHomeLamport Stadium
May 30Old Glory DCHomeLamport Stadium

2021 season

Due to the Canadian federal government closing the border between the USA and Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto relocated to Marietta, Georgia for the 2021 season. [27] Although intended to be for the start of the season, the ongoing pandemic meant that all of the Arrow's “home” games were played at Lupo Family Field, sharing the ground with Rugby ATL for the season.

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
March 20 Rugby ATL AwayLost, 14–21
March 27 Utah Warriors AwayLost, 24–39
April 3 Old Glory DC AwayWon, 40–19
April 10 LA Giltinis HomeLost, 16–43
April 17 Seattle Seawolves HomeWon, 52–7
April 25 Rugby United New York AwayWon, 53–12
May 2 New Orleans Gold AwayLost, 14–22
May 9Rugby ATLHomeLost, 29–33
May 15 Houston SaberCats AwayWon, 19–10
May 29 New England Free Jacks AwayLost, 12–14
June 6 San Diego Legion HomeLost, 30–40
June 12 Austin Gilgronis AwayLost, 47–21
June 20New Orleans GoldHomeLost, 12–18
June 27Rugby United New YorkHomeLost, 24–31
July 4Old Glory DCHomeWon, 34–28
July 11New England Free JacksHomeLost, 17–28

2022 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 6 Seattle Seawolves AwayLost, 8–21
February 11 LA Giltinis HomeLost, 16–31
February 19 New Orleans Gold AwayWon, 24–23
February 26 Old Glory DC AwayWon, 29–5
March 12 New England Free Jacks AwayLost, 15–21
March 19 Utah Warriors AwayWon, 27–24
March 27 Rugby United NY AwayWon, 14–10
April 2 Rugby ATL HomeLost, 14–20
April 9Old Glory DCHomeWon, 32–27
April 16New Orleans GoldHomeWon, 53–36
April 23 Houston SaberCats AwayLost, 17–29
May 8Rugby United NYHomeLost, 17–41
May 14 Dallas Jackals HomeWon, 57–0
May 19New England Free JacksHomeWon, 33–18
May 28Rugby ATLAwayLost, 23–34
June 5Old Glory DCHomeLost, 35–50

2023 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 17 Rugby ATL Away Silverbacks Park Lost, 17–10
February 26 Rugby New York Away Mount Vernon Memorial Stadium Lost, 39–3
March 11 Chicago Hounds Away SeatGeek Stadium Won, 27–26
March 18 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Lost, 29–3
March 25 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Lost, 47–19
April 1 Dallas Jackals Away Choctaw Stadium Lost, 14–11
April 8Rugby New YorkHome York Lions Stadium Lost, 29–27
April 15 New England Free Jacks Home York Lions Stadium Lost, 80–5
April 23 Seattle Seawolves Home York Lions Stadium Lost, 36–27
April 30 New Orleans Gold Away The Gold Mine Lost, 40–24
May 12Rugby ATLHome York Lions Stadium Draw, 34–34
May 18Old Glory DCHome York Lions Stadium Draw, 29–29
May 27New England Free JacksAway Veterans Memorial Stadium Lost, 57–20
June 3 Houston SaberCats Home York Lions Stadium Lost, 48–26
June 11 San Diego Legion Home York Lions Stadium Lost, 50–17
June 17New Orleans GoldHome York Lions Stadium Lost, 26–24

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamport Stadium</span>

Allan A. Lamport Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium on King Street West in the Liberty Village neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the practice facility for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. It is also partial home for Canada national rugby league team. The playing surface of the 9,600 seating capacity stadium is also dually marked for soccer and field hockey. The stadium was named for long-time Toronto politician Allan Lamport, who was associated with sporting activities in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alumni Field (York University)</span>

Alumni Field is an outdoor football, rugby and soccer stadium located at York University's Keele Campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the former home of the York Lions. The stadium was known as York Stadium prior to 2017. The Toronto Arrows split its home games at Alumni Field and Lamport Stadium during its inaugural 2019 Major League Rugby season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ontario Blues</span> Rugby team

The Ontario Blues are the senior men's representative rugby team for Ontario. They were founded in 2009 to compete in the Americas Rugby Championship against other representative teams from Canada, Argentina, and the United States. In their inaugural season, the Blues suffered narrow losses against British Columbia and the Wolf Pack before defeating the Rock to advance to the Canadian Final. The Blues would again lose to BC, but defeated the U.S. Selects in the bronze medal match.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Warriors</span> US professional rugby union team from Salt Lake City, Utah

The Utah Warriors are a professional rugby union team that competes in Major League Rugby, the top-level rugby union competition in the United States and Canada that played its first season in 2018. The team is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was founded in 2010 as Utah Warriors and re-refounded in 2017 by Rugby Utah Ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Lions Stadium</span> Outdoor sports venue in Toronto, Ontario

York Lions Stadium is an outdoor sports stadium on the Keele Campus of Toronto's York University in the former city of North York. It is home to the York Lions, the varsity teams of York University, the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby and York United of the Canadian Premier League. The facility was primarily built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, where it hosted track and field events and the opening ceremony. In 2021, the stadium's running track was removed to expand the playing surface used for football and soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major League Rugby</span> Professional rugby union competition in the United States and Canada

Major League Rugby (MLR) is a professional rugby union competition for clubs in North America. In the 2023 season it was contested by twelve teams: eleven from the United States and one from Canada. While operating outside of the governance and oversight of the national governing body, the league is officially sanctioned by USA Rugby—a member union of Rugby Americas North (RAN)—and is consequently part of World Rugby. The league was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston SaberCats</span> Professional rugby union team from Houston, Texas

The Houston SaberCats are an American professional rugby union team based in Houston, Texas. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in Major League Rugby, the top-level rugby union competition in the United States and Canada that played its first season in 2018. The SaberCats organization was born from one of the founding amateur rugby clubs that pooled resources to emerge professionally, and were the first in MLR membership to build a rugby-specific stadium intended for MLR competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle Seawolves</span> Professional rugby union team from Seattle, Washington

The Seattle Seawolves are an American professional rugby union team based in Tukwila, Washington. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in Major League Rugby (MLR), the top-level rugby union competition in the United States that began play in 2018. The Seawolves won two MLR championships in 2018 and 2019, and lost in the 2022 final. They play at Starfire Sports, a 4,500-seat stadium in Tukwila that primarily serves soccer teams.

The New Orleans Gold, stylized as NOLA Gold, is a professional rugby union team based in New Orleans. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in Major League Rugby. Since January 2020, French rugby power ASM Clermont Auvergne has owned a minority stake in the team.

Isaac Arapata Salmon is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Tasman in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship. He also plays for New Orleans Gold in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. Salmon was educated at Nelson College from 2011 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Legion</span> Major League Rugby team in San Diego, California

The San Diego Legion are a professional rugby union team based in San Diego, California, that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team plays its home games at Torero Stadium. The Legion began play in the league's inaugural 2018 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby New York</span> Professional rugby union team from New York City

Rugby New York, originally known as Rugby United New York and officially nicknamed the Ironworkers, was a professional rugby union team based in New York City that was a member of Major League Rugby (MLR). The team played an exhibition season in spring 2018 and joined MLR for its second full season in 2019. The team was founded by James Kennedy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New England Free Jacks</span> Professional Rugby Union Team from Boston, Massachusetts

The New England Free Jacks are a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR) based in the Greater Boston area. They were announced in September 2018 and began to compete professionally in October 2018. They competed in their first season in MLR in the 2020 season. The team has won two MLR shields after defeating the San Diego Legion in 2023 and the Seattle Seawolves in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Glory DC</span> Professional rugby union team from Washington DC

Old Glory DC RFC is a professional rugby union team based in the Washington, D.C., area that is a member of Major League Rugby (MLR). Old Glory was founded in 2018, played some exhibition games in 2019, and began regular-season MLR play in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby Football Club Los Angeles</span> Professional Rugby Union Team from Los Angeles, California, United States

Rugby FC Los Angeles (RFCLA) is a professional rugby union team based in Los Angeles California, that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team began play in 2020 as Rugby ATL, based in Atlanta, Georgia, but announced they would relocate to Los Angeles for the 2024 season, under new ownership.

The 2019 Major League Rugby season was the second season of Major League Rugby, the professional rugby union competition sanctioned by USA Rugby. The regular season began on January 26 and concluded on June 2.

Michael Sheppard aka ‘Shep’ is a Canadian rugby union player. He played Lock and Flanker for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR) from their exhibition year in 2018 - 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Moor</span> Rugby player

Dan Moor is a former Canadian rugby union player, who played Wing and Centre for the Canada national team. He played for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR), serving as captain for two seasons. Moor joined the Arrows from Yorkshire Carnegie in the RFU Championship. Moor previously had English professional rugby experience through a trial with Premiership Rugby club Wasps RFC.

Lucas James Rumball is a Canadian rugby union player who generally plays as a back-row. He represents Canada internationally and also currently plays for Canadian club Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR).

The 2022 Major League Rugby season was the fifth season of Major League Rugby, the professional rugby union competition sanctioned by USA Rugby. The regular season began on February 5, 2022.

References

    1. ↑ "MLR Announces Additions of Toronto and Washington, D.C." usmlr.com. Major League Rugby. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
    2. ↑ "Toronto Arrows To Not Compete In 2024 Mlr Season". usmlr.com. Major League Rugby. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    3. ↑ "Major League Rugby adds Ontario Arrows for 2019". Americas Rugby News. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
    4. ↑ "Ontario Arrows: The Rise of Canada's Next-Gen High Performance Team". Aedelhard. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    5. ↑ "Toronto Arrows To Not Compete In 2024 Mlr Season". usmlr.com. Major League Rugby. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    6. ↑ "New York and Ontario in Major League Rugby talks". November 13, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    7. ↑ "Ontario Arrows to launch Elite Rugby Team in September". August 25, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    8. ↑ Davidson, Neil (September 8, 2017). "Ontario Arrows take first step toward becoming pro rugby outfit". Toronto Star . Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    9. ↑ "MLR reveals Finals Locations and Expansion Plans". March 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    10. ↑ "Glendale gets even with Ontario – Americas Rugby News". www.americasrugbynews.com. September 10, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    11. ↑ "Ontario Arrows score 12 tries in 77–8 win over Boston Mystics". djcoilrugby. May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    12. ↑ "Release: Ontario Arrows Planning Major League Rugby Entry for 2019". Ontario Arrows. July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
    13. ↑ "Major League Rugby Announces Additions of Toronto and DC". Ontario Arrows. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018.
    14. 1 2 "Toronto Arrows will join Major League Rugby". Toronto Star. November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
    15. ↑ Campbell, Morgan (December 11, 2018). "Expansion Toronto Arrows join Major League Rugby with optimism and business savvy". Toronto Star . Retrieved December 15, 2018.
    16. ↑ "Toronto Arrows Announce Ticketing Details, Home Venues for 2019 Major League Rugby Season". Toronto Arrows. January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
    17. ↑ "Toronto Arrows Club to Establish Temporary Home in Atlanta". OurSports Central. February 3, 2021.
    18. ↑ "ARROWS ANNOUNCE 2022 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE". Toronto Arrows. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
    19. ↑ "Toronto Arrows Mourn the Passing of President and General Partner Bill Webb". Toronto Arrows. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
    20. ↑ "Honouring Bill Webb". Toronto Arrows. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
    21. ↑ "Toronto Arrows, Canada's lone entry in Major League Rugby, not playing in 2024". www.sportsnet.ca. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
    22. ↑ "Toronto Arrows Announce TSN as 2020 Media Partner". Toronto Arrows. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
    23. ↑ "Toronto Arrows Media Partner TSN to Deliver New 'Arrows in an Hour' Series". Toronto Arrows. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
    24. ↑ "Team Staff". Toronto Arrows. Toronto. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
    25. ↑ "Major League Rugby Suspends 2020 Season for 30 Days". Major League Rugby. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
    26. ↑ "Major League Rugby has Decided to Cancel the Remainder of the 2020 Season and Turn Attention to 2021". Major League Rugby. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
    27. ↑ "Toronto Arrows to establish temporary home in Atlanta for start of 2021 season". Toronto Arrows. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.