When asked by a reporter in a recent press conference about the differences between rugby and ice hockey, former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke couldn’t resist taking the obvious shot: “They don’t wear skates, there’s more people on the field, and there’s no ice.”
The news of Burke’s involvement with Rugby Canada first broke about a week ago in the Canadian press. So for some this isn’t exactly news. For those of us outside Canada however, this is a huge move by the organization, and one that has generated more than a little interest. Of course, said news needs to be tempered with a bit of caution. Firstly, Burke’s involvement is currently on a voluntary basis, he maintains his interests in the NHL and remains allied with the Anaheim Ducks.
Burke i,s however, taking a position on Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors, a move which many in the rugby community find hugely exciting. The fact that Burke has a history with the sport, and a passion to see rugby develop points toward a very exciting future for rugby not just in Canada, but potentially North America as a whole.
Having someone with Burke’s experience in management and marketing is a genius move by an organization that has made a lot of genius moves lately. CEO Graham Brown spoke very enthusiastically at the Rugby World Cup qualifier in Toronto over the weekend (a game which Canada went on to win) and seems to be dedicated to seeing rugby grow beyond what it already has.
To therefore bring aboard someone like Burke, whose vision for rugby includes a professional domestic league and development of the sevens squad, is a move I believe is destined for success. Yes, he didn’t exactly have the best track record of victories when GM of the Leafs, but this is a different organization, and a different time. Burke himself has stated Rugby Canada isn’t looking for technical expertise, as much as it is the other areas of talent he brings to the table. Having played as a tight-head prop for the Harvard Business School rugby team for five years, and seen the semi-pro level game played in Vancouver, Burke is in the unique position of being able to steer the game to greater heights. Do I think he can bring professional rugby to Canada? Absolutely. I’d go further to say I think it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Canadian rugby has already developed at an exponential rate, and as Burke points out, having a professional league in Canada will only help the sport get better still. “It is our goal to get to the point where a player like (veteran) Jamie (Cudmore) doesn’t have to go to France to play, that he’s got a Canadian team that will put him to work.”
Canada has shown the depth of talent it already has on the field; guys like Phil Mack, James Pritchard, Jason Marshall that turn out and play hard in every game would be ideal as ambassadors for the sport, and mentors to future youth development. Mack is currently spending his time when not playing for his national side playing in the UK, why not keep his talent at home and at the same time grow the game even further.
Burke, and Rugby Canada, have a big ask ahead of them to achieve their goals. The biggest thing is this though: They actually HAVE goals! They WANT to do something, they WANT to see rugby grow, and they HAVE the base to do it from. I would suggest a professional domestic competition is on the horizon, and closer than people think. The Rugby World Cup is only two years away, what better way to help create a stronger Canadian team than to have them playing in Canada, against their own regional and provincial teams developing their networks, their skills and communication as Canadians.
I’m hugely excited by this news, and I’ll be watching what happens here with great interest. Watch this space world, the Red Nation is coming!
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on Twitter –@recaffeinated99. Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @lastwordonsport.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? Find more info at our “Join Our Team” page.
Main Photo: article.wn.com, CC
