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The Toronto Arrows have produced a streamlined chart of their pathway to professional rugby for Canadian players. Included in the chart are routes through both provincial and international rugby, with the pathway starting at junior age-grade and high school level.
Two academy systems are incorporated as direct gateways to the Arrows. Ontario’s Elite Skills program runs from under-15 to under-18 level, with the Arrows running their own senior academy that runs from under-18 to under-24. The Arrows Academy side also competes as a team in both the Eastern Canadian Super League and various exhibition contests.
While graduating through Canada’s age-grade teams – specifically the national under-20 program – is undoubtedly the clearest route to Major League Rugby, the Arrows roster reflects a near-balance between the two pathways. Of the 36 players contracted for the 2020 season, 7 were imports from outside Canada, one (Spencer Jones) is Canadian-born but a product of the New Zealand system, 15 came through the Canada under-20 side, and 13 were products of the Ontario domestic system.
There is a clear emphasis on connecting with players based in Ontario but the pathway also recognizes the ability of those from outside the province to reach the professional level. From the current team there is East Coast influence from New Brunswick’s Cole Keith and Newfoundland’s Patrick Parfrey, while Western Canada is represented by starting centres Guiseppe du Toit from British Colombia and Ben LeSage from Alberta. BC’s Theo Sauder played for the team in 2019 and Siaki Vikilani has signed on for 2021. Nova Scotia’s Cooper Coats, among other Eastern Canadians, has appeared in preseason matches. Both Sauder and Coats are currently training with the Canada Sevens program.
The Arrows are placed at the top of the chain as Canada’s only professional team, but the pathway can be applied jointly to all of Major League Rugby. Hank Stevenson graduated through the Ontario program to a contract with the expansion Dallas Jackals in 2021, while at least five players from Rugby Canada’s senior development program – the Pacific Pride – will play for teams south of the border this coming season.
