TORONTO — The Toronto Arrows have donated the front of their jersey to a non-profit group this season.
The Major League Rugby team will have TIRF — the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation — rather than a marquee sponsor across their chests this season. In previous years, the club jersey sponsor has been Honda and Coolbet.
The Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation is a registered non-profit organization founded in 2011 that builds community through rugby in 31 of Toronto’s low-income neighbourhoods.
Working with Rugby Canada, Rugby Ontario, local Toronto rugby clubs, school boards and community service providers, TIRF “reduces the financial, geographical and cultural barriers that prevent children and youth from participating in the sport.”
The Arrows say it marks the first time a pro rugby team has partnered with a not-for-profit organization to have its logo displayed on the front of the team’s jersey for the entirety of a season.
Spanish soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona has featured UNHCR — the United Nations Refugee Agency — and UNICEF on the front of its jersey.
“It is an honour for the Toronto Arrows organization to partner with TIRF this season and have TIRF’s logo front and centre on our jerseys,” Arrows president Bill Webb said in a statement.
“We are constantly inspired by TIRF’s tireless work in our community and are proud to support their initiatives to empower youth through rugby and sport.”
The Arrows will partner with TIRF in other ways. Game tickets will be donated to youth from low-income communities and Arrows players and coaches will attend and support TIRF events throughout the year.
“It is invaluable for TIRF to be partnered with a professional sports organization like the Toronto Arrows that understands the impact of investing in young people and local talent,” TIRF executive director Amanda Neale-Robinson said.
The Arrows open their fifth MLR season Friday on the road against Rugby ATL. The Arrows’ home opener is April 8 against the Rugby New York Ironworkers, who won the MLR title last year when known as Rugby United New York.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2023.
