Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Toronto Arrows will follow the lead of the Blue Jays and Raptors by playing their home games south of the border, at least for the start of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. With the Canadian border closed to non-essential travel, the team announced on Wednesday that they have arranged a temporary home base at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.
In doing so they will share facilities with Atlanta’s MLR side – Rugby ATL. The Arrows will move en masse ahead of their revised season opener that will ironically come against their hosts on March 20. Toronto will be hoping their second encounter with ATL, on May 9, takes place in more familiar territory.
The Arrows are not the first MLR side to uproot as a result of the pandemic. Last week the San Diego Legion confirmed that they will move operations to Las Vegas until it is safe to return to Southern California. Unlike the Arrows the Legion will be the only rugby show in town.
Arrows General Manager Mark Winokur:
“Our top priority has always been to play our home games in front of our fantastic and dedicated fans in Toronto, but in order to compete for the MLR Shield this season, we must start south of the border. Our hunt for the championship will begin with us playing in Marietta, Georgia.
“The staff at Rugby ATL have been incredibly supportive and have gone the extra mile to make sure we can provide a safe, professional environment for our players and staff. Rugby ATL have great facilities for both training and games, and we’re looking forward to playing there.
“We won’t sugar-coat it – the situation won’t be easy for us, as we don’t know if we will based in Georgia for a week, a month, or longer – but we’ll keep our chins up and cross the hurdles as they come. We will do everything we can to provide an entertaining, competitive team for everyone to support, whether in-person or through broadcasts.”
Rugby ATL CEO Marcus Calloway:
“We are honored that the Toronto Arrows will be partnering with us for the beginning of the season. Our commitment to the safety of our players and fans, the overall growth of our community, and the league are at the forefront of everything we do. [Arrows President] Bill Webb and the Arrows are are like-minded in that regard and have shown that time and again with their off-field efforts.
“We look forward to navigating these unprecedented times with our colleagues and more so, the return of Major League Rugby in 2021.”
