Ottawa Wolves RFC
Encyclopedia
| Name | Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club |
| Emblem | Howling Wolf |
| Colors | navy blue, forest green, white |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Sport | Rugby Union Rugby union Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand... |
| Union | Ontario Rugby Union Ontario Rugby Union The Ontario Rugby Union is the provincial governing body for the sport of rugby union in the Canadian province of Ontario.There are currently 8 competitions which are sanctioned by the ORU:*Marshall Premiership*Keenan Division*Bardon Division... |
| Ground | Twin Elm Rugby Park Twin Elm Rugby Park Twin Elm Rugby Park is a sports venue in South Nepean, Ottawa, Canada. With five rugby fields and 12 changing rooms,two lounges, a bar and spectator seating for hundreds of people it can accommodate several concurrent matches and serves as the home of several local clubs. The facility is fully air... |
| Website | Ottawa Wolves RFC |
History
The Ottawa Wolves RFC was founded in 2008 by Carl Pilon and Jay Smidt, both Hero award recipients, with the mission to promote and encourage participation in rugby among those who have traditionally been under-represented in the game, with an emphasis on gay men. Though predominantly gay, the team is inclusive of everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.The club played its first game in October 2008 at the inaugural Dirty Rugger Tournament, where they tied Muddy York 5-5.
The following year, the Ottawa Wolves joined both the Ontario Rugby Union
Ontario Rugby Union
The Ontario Rugby Union is the provincial governing body for the sport of rugby union in the Canadian province of Ontario.There are currently 8 competitions which are sanctioned by the ORU:*Marshall Premiership*Keenan Division*Bardon Division...
and the International Gay Rugby Association and Board
International Gay Rugby Association and Board
International Gay Rugby Association and Board is the umbrella organization for the world's gay rugby clubs. It is dedicated to encouraging lesbians and gay men everywhere to play rugby...
, and played their first season as the only team in the EORU Mens Division II developmental league. In a 7-game season against teams in Mens Division I, the Ottawa Wolves finished with 513 points against, and 0 points for. The Ottawa Wolves' first league try came in their 2009 playoff game against the Barrhaven Scottish III.
The team's first victory came on August 1, 2009 against the Muddy York in Montreal. Shortly afterward, the club followed that victory with their second against the Ottawa Senators RFC.
In 2010, the team participated in a rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
match with the Muddy York during Pride Week
Capital Pride (Ottawa)
The Capital Pride Festival is the annual Pride event in Canada's National Capital Region, which includes the cities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It has been held annually since 1986.Capital Pride is a non-profit organization...
. The historic match was played on the main lawn of Parliament
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
on August 28, 2010.
Involvement in IGRAB
On July 23, 2009, The Ottawa Wolves RFC became a member club of the International Gay Rugby Association and BoardInternational Gay Rugby Association and Board
International Gay Rugby Association and Board is the umbrella organization for the world's gay rugby clubs. It is dedicated to encouraging lesbians and gay men everywhere to play rugby...
; they joined the Vancouver Rogues RFC and Muddy York RFC of Toronto as Canada’s third IGRAB club.
As a gay-identified team, The Ottawa Wolves have participated in Capital Pride
Capital Pride (Ottawa)
The Capital Pride Festival is the annual Pride event in Canada's National Capital Region, which includes the cities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It has been held annually since 1986.Capital Pride is a non-profit organization...
since 2008..
The Ottawa Wolves have also developed close ties with Toronto's Muddy York, playing frequent games together and exchanging information pertinent to both clubs, and was one of the original clubs playing in the Dirty Rugger Tournament.