Toronto Arrows

Toronto Arrows R.F.C. is a rugby union club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that plays in Major League Rugby.[2] The Arrows team is an independent off-shoot of the Ontario Blues provincial programme and is funded by a group of private investors and supporters.[3]

Toronto Arrows
Full nameToronto Arrows
Nickname(s)Arrows
FoundedOntario Arrows
2017–2018
Toronto Arrows
2018–present[1]
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Marietta, Georgia, United States[lower-alpha 1]
Ground(s)York Lions Stadium
PresidentBill Webb
Coach(es)Peter Smith
Captain(s)Lucas Rumball
Top scorerSam Malcolm (212)
Most triesGaston Mieres (11)
League(s)Major League Rugby
20193rd placed (regular season)
Official website
torontoarrows.com
Current season

History
Historical Ontario Arrows logo 2017–2018.

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.[4][5][6][7] The Arrows debuted September 9, 2017, in a match against the Glendale Merlins losing 41–7.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[12][13] 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.[14]

After playing only five matches in 2020, the Arrows ceased play along with the rest of MLR 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.[15] They will return to Toronto in 2022, hosting their games at York Lions Stadium.[16]

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.[17] 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."[18]

Sponsorship
Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Other Shirt sponsor(s)
2018 XBlades Waypoint Investment Partners Blackshire Capital
Dineen Coffee
360centre360
2019 Honda Canada Waypoint Investment Partners
2020–present Paladin Sports

Players and personnel

Current squad
For player movements before and during the 2022 season, see List of 2021–22 Major League Rugby transfers § Toronto Arrows.

The Toronto Arrows squad for the 2022 Major League Rugby season is:[19]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Sam Mace Hooker England
Jack McRogers Hooker Canada
Andrew Quattrin Hooker Canada
Cole Keith Prop Canada
Marc-Antoine Ouellet Prop Canada
Tyler Rowland Prop Canada
Isaac Salmon Prop New Zealand
Faalelei Sione Prop Australia
Bryce Worden Prop Canada
Kyle Baillie Lock Canada
Paul Ciulini Lock Canada
Adrian Wadden Lock Canada
Tomás de la Vega Back row Argentina
Mason Flesch Back row Canada
Ronan Foley Back row Ireland
Ollie Nott Back row Canada
James O'Neill Back row Canada
Lucas Rumball (c) Back row Canada
Siaki Vikilani Back row Canada
Marcello Wainwright Back row Canada
Player Position Union
Ross Braude Scrum-half Canada
Andrew Ferguson Scrum-half Canada
Will Kelly Fly-half Canada
Sam Malcolm Fly-half New Zealand
Logan Martin-Feek Fly-half Canada
Andrew Norton Fly-half Spain
Giuseppe du Toit Centre Canada
Spencer Jones Centre Canada
Mitch Richardson Centre Canada
Ueta Tufuga Centre New Zealand
Gastón Mieres Wing Uruguay
Johnny Sheridan Wing Canada
Joaquín Tuculet Fullback Argentina
  • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for Canada on dual nationality or residency grounds, and is designated as an MLR domestic player.
  • MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

Head coaches
  • Chris Silverthorn (2019–2021)
  • Peter Smith (2021-present)

Captains

Coaching Staff
  • Peter Smith — Head Coach
  • Cory Hector — Backs Coach/Arrows Academy Director
  • Francisco Deformes — Forwards and Set Piece Coach
  • Rob Howley — Coaching Consultant

Staff
  • Mark Winokur — Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
  • Chris Silverthorn - Director of Player Development
  • Neil MacDougall - Team Manager
  • Rodin Lozada — Performance Analyst
  • Sean Harrison — Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Dr. John Gillis - Head Team Physician
  • Scott Shannon — Head Athletic Therapist

Records

Season standings
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/− BP Pts   Playoffs
2019 3rd 161105472362+1101357  Lost semi-final 17–30 to Seattle Seawolves
2020[lower-alpha 2] 2nd 540115189+62319  Cancelled[lower-alpha 2]
2021 10th 165011411412-11030  Did not quality
Total3 seasons37200171034863+17126106
Playoff Totals1 Appearances10011730-13NANA0 championships

Notes
  1. Team has temporarily relocated for the 2021 season.
  2. 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honors

2018 season (exhibition)

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

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
March 3Houston SaberCatsAwayConstellation FieldDraw, 28–28
March 17Rugby United New YorkAwayMazzella FieldLost, 19–36
April 6Utah WarriorsAwayRio Tinto StadiumWon, 24–20
April 14Rugby United New YorkHomeYork Alumni StadiumCancelled due to weather
April 21Mystic River Rugby ClubAwayPine Banks ParkWon, 29–19
May 5Mystic River Rugby ClubHomeYork Alumni StadiumWon, 77–8
May 18Canada SelectsHomeYork Lions StadiumLost, 0–19
May 26Canada SelectsAwayWesthills StadiumLost, 28–58

2019 season
Main article: 2019 Major League Rugby season

Exhibition
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
September 16, 2018Glendale RaptorsHomeYork Lions StadiumWon, 40–18
October 20, 2018New England Free JacksHomeWanderers GroundsWon, 40–14
January 12, 2019Rugby United New YorkNeutralBuffalo Bills FieldhousePostponed
May 18, 2019New England Free JacksAwayBrophy Field at Dartmouth's
Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse		Postponed

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
January 26New Orleans GoldAwayEagle Athletic FacilityLost, 31-36
February 8Austin EliteAwayDell DiamondWon, 23-19
February 17Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire StadiumLost, 30-35
February 22Houston SaberCatsAwayAveva StadiumWon, 44-27
March 2Glendale RaptorsAwayInfinity ParkLost, 0-22
March 10San Diego LegionAwayTorero StadiumWon, 27-20
March 15Rugby United New YorkAwayMCU ParkLost, 21-24
March 30Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumWon, 64–31
April 7New Orleans GoldHomeAlumni FieldLost, 31–35
April 21Houston SaberCatsHomeAlumni FieldWon, 35-21
April 28Seattle SeawolvesHomeAlumni FieldWon, 29-7
May 5San Diego LegionHomeLamport StadiumWon, 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 9Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire SportsLoss, 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.[20] On March 19, 2020, MLR announced that they had cancelled the season and all remaining games for 2020.[21]

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 9Austin GilgronisAwayCircuit of the AmericasWon, 38-10
February 16Houston SaberCatsNeutralSam Boyd StadiumWon, 27-22
February 22Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire Sports ComplexWon, 39-17
March 1Rugby ATLAwayLife University Running Eagles StadiumWon, 28-18
March 6Colorado RaptorsAwayInfinity ParkLost, 19-22
March 22Rugby United New YorkAwayMCU ParkCancelled
March 28New Orleans GoldAwayGold Mine
April 4Utah WarriorsHomeYork Alumni Stadium
April 11New England Free JacksHomeYork Alumni Stadium
April 19Rugby ATLHomeLamport Stadium
April 26Old Glory DCAwayCardinal Stadium
May 1New Orleans GoldHomeLamport Stadium
May 10San Diego LegionHomeLamport Stadium
May 18New England Free JacksAwayUnion 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.[22] 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 20Rugby ATLAwayLost, 14-21
March 27Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 24-39
April 3Old Glory DCAwayWon, 40-19
April 10LA GiltinisHomeLost, 16-43
April 17Seattle SeawolvesHomeWon, 52-7
April 25Rugby United New YorkAwayWon, 53-12
May 2New Orleans GoldAwayLost, 14-22
May 9Rugby ATLHomeLost, 29-33
May 15Houston SaberCatsAwayWon, 19-10
May 29New England Free JacksAwayLost, 12-14
June 6San Diego LegionHomeLost, 30-40
June 12Austin GilgronisAwayLost, 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

References
    1. "MLR Announces Additions of Toronto and Washington, D.C." usmlr.com. Major League Rugby. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
    2. "Major League Rugby adds Ontario Arrows for 2019". Americas Rugby News. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
    3. "Ontario Arrows: The Rise of Canada's Next-Gen High Performance Team". Aedelhard. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    4. "New York and Ontario in Major League Rugby talks". November 13, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    5. "Ontario Arrows to launch Elite Rugby Team in September". August 25, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    6. Davidson, Neil (September 8, 2017). "Ontario Arrows take first step toward becoming pro rugby outfit". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    7. "MLR reveals Finals Locations and Expansion Plans". March 7, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    8. "Glendale gets even with Ontario - Americas Rugby News". www.americasrugbynews.com. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    9. "Ontario Arrows score 12 tries in 77-8 win over Boston Mystics". djcoilrugby. May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
    10. "Release: Ontario Arrows Planning Major League Rugby Entry for 2019". Ontario Arrows. July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
    11. "Major League Rugby Announces Additions of Toronto and DC". Ontario Arrows. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018.
    12. "Toronto Arrows will join Major League Rugby". Toronto Star. November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
    13. Campbell, Morgan (December 11, 2018). "Expansion Toronto Arrows join Major League Rugby with optimism and business savvy". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
    14. "Toronto Arrows Announce Ticketing Details, Home Venues for 2019 Major League Rugby Season". Toronto Arrows. January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
    15. "Toronto Arrows Club to Establish Temporary Home in Atlanta". OurSports Central. February 3, 2021.
    16. "ARROWS ANNOUNCE 2022 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE". Toronto Arrows. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
    17. "Toronto Arrows Announce TSN as 2020 Media Partner". Toronto Arrows. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
    18. "Toronto Arrows Media Partner TSN to Deliver New 'Arrows in an Hour' Series". Toronto Arrows. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
    19. "Toronto Arrows". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
    20. "Major League Rugby Suspends 2020 Season for 30 Days". Major League Rugby. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
    21. "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.
    22. "Toronto Arrows to establish temporary home in Atlanta for start of 2021 season". Toronto Arrows. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
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