Rugby Canada secure $2.8m funding boost as women's team stuns England twice in a week

Rugby Canada received a major financial injection on Friday night, with the Government of Canada confirming an additional $2,815,000 in federal funding via Sport Canada’s Sport Support Program — bringing the organisation’s total allocation for 2026/27 to $4,975,000. The announcement came at half-time of Canada’s 31-22 victory over England at TD Place stadium in Ottawa, the second win in as many matches for Kévin Rouet’s national women’s side against the Red Roses.

The funding increase forms part of a broader commitment outlined in Canada’s Spring Economic Update, in which the government signalled its intention to invest $1 billion into sport across the country. Federal funding for Canadian sporting bodies had remained largely static since 2005, making this uplift a significant shift in policy.

Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), made the announcement pitchside and framed the investment around the momentum generated by the women’s team. “Sport has the power to shape lives and bring people together in a way few things can,” he said. “We’re strengthening Canada’s sport system by making sure that much-needed resources get to Rugby Canada so they can put them in motion. This means increased support for athletes, coaches, and programs that help Canadians participate and excel in sport.”

Earlier in 2025, the Government of Canada had already contributed $898,000 via Sport Canada’s Hosting Program to support Rugby Canada in staging Nations Cup and WXV Global Series fixtures domestically. The five fixtures are estimated to have generated a socio-economic impact of over $50 million.

Rugby Canada stated the new funding will be directed toward Canadian and player pathways, youth rugby development, and the hosting of further high-profile international fixtures.

Nathan Bombrys, Rugby Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, said the investment aligned directly with the organisation’s strategic goals. “This investment reinforces the momentum we are building in rugby across Canada,” he said. “Through our commercial partnerships, philanthropic campaigns like Mission: Win the Rugby World Cup, and our major event hosting program, we are delivering on our mission to inspire the nation on the global stage and to lead, govern and support rugby across Canada.”

The back-to-back wins over England add competitive weight to the funding case, with Canada’s women now firmly establishing themselves as a force capable of troubling the top-ranked nations ahead of the next Rugby World Cup cycle.