Rugby Canada has announced the success of its fundraising initiative, “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025,” surpassing its target by raising over $1 million. The additional funds, combined with the $2.6 million from the governing body, covered the financial gap in Coach Kevin Rouet’s preparation strategy. Despite finishing as runners-up to England in the final on September 27 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, the Canadian women’s team, ranked second globally, received significant support from more than 1,500 donors, including community rugby clubs and the Monty Heald Fund of the Canadian Rugby Foundation.
Coach Rouet expressed gratitude for the campaign’s impact, stating, “We aimed not just to participate but to triumph in the Rugby World Cup, and this initiative equipped us accordingly.” The raised funds facilitated two extra pre-tournament training camps, the first in Chula Vista, Calif., before the Pacific Four Series in May and the second in Perth, Ont., ahead of test matches in South Africa in July. Moreover, the financial backing covered travel expenses, accommodations beyond the World Cup, nutrition resources, and additional medical and strength training staff during the tournament.
Rugby Canada’s CEO, Nathan Bombrys, emphasized the belief and unity demonstrated through the campaign’s success, surpassing the $1 million goal. Coach Rouet acknowledged ongoing budget challenges for the Canadian team, noting the necessity to optimize available resources annually. Despite anticipating tighter budgets post-2025 due to upcoming major events like the men’s World Cup in 2027 and the Olympics in 2028, Rouet remains optimistic about the federation’s progress and growth.
The team’s recent accomplishments are expected to pave the way for future opportunities, although the specifics remain uncertain. While acknowledging potential financial constraints, Rouet remains positive about the federation’s trajectory and the continuous improvement witnessed since his tenure began.
