Rugby at the Ontario Summer Games
Rugby is one of the competitive sports included in the Ontario Summer Games, held every two years and organized through Games Ontario in partnership with provincial sports organizations. The rugby tournament is managed by Rugby Ontario and features boys’ and girls’ teams in the U17 and U18 age groups.
The event brings together regional teams from across Ontario for two days of competition. Matches are played in a rugby sevens format, which means short, high-intensity games. Each team competes in multiple matches during the tournament.
Tournament Format and Eligibility
- Age divisions: U17 and U18
- Team entry: Based on Ontario’s regional rugby unions
- Format: Rugby Sevens (7 players per team, shorter match durations)
- Days of play: 2 days of competition (typically Friday and Saturday)
- Match structure: Group stage with points table; no elimination bracket
- Admission: Free to the public
Players are selected through Rugby Ontario’s regional branches, which organize tryouts and development pathways. Participating teams often include two squads from a single union to increase player representation. Divisions for boys and girls are held separately but follow the same tournament format.
Participating Rugby Unions
The following rugby unions regularly field teams at the Games:
- Niagara Rugby Union (NRU)
- Toronto Rugby Union (TRU)
- South Western Rugby Union (SWRU)
- Eastern Ontario Rugby Union (EORU)
In some years, additional entries (e.g., TRU 2 or SWRU 2) are included to accommodate more players within the eligible age range.
Past Host Venues
Rugby matches have been held at major sports facilities selected for their field quality and capacity to host fast-paced, multi-match schedules.
2024 Venue: Alumni Field (Western University, London)
Address: 100 Philip Aziz Avenue, London, ON
Opened: 2013
Surface: Turf field, built for high-performance rugby and football
Affiliated Teams: Western Mustangs Men’s and Women’s Rugby
All matches in 2024 were hosted here across five timed sessions over two days. The field is located near Alumni Stadium and Mustang Field on campus.
Previous Venues:
- 2022: Mississauga (venues not listed in full)
- 2018: Games featured in London and other cities depending on team count
Venue selection is based on proximity to Games headquarters, field quality, and match-day logistics.
2024 Ontario Summer Games Rugby Results
The 2024 Games were held on August 2 and 3, 2024. Matches were grouped into morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. All matches were played at Alumni Field.
Match Schedule Summary
Friday, August 2:
Morning: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM- Afternoon: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Evening: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday, August 3:
- Morning: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Afternoon: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2024 Boys Division – Final Standings
| Team | Played | Wins | Losses | PF | PA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRU | 6 | 6 | 0 | 157 | 41 | 26 |
| SWRU | 6 | 4 | 2 | 107 | 71 | 19 |
| TRU 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 98 | 58 | 19 |
| TRU | 6 | 3 | 3 | 107 | 104 | 16 |
| SWRU 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 81 | 106 | 12 |
| NRU 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 40 | 81 | 9 |
| EORU 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 55 | 115 | 9 |
| EORU 2 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 50 | 119 | 2 |
Niagara Rugby Union (NRU) led the boys’ division with an undefeated 6–0 record and a +116-point differential.
2024 Girls Division – Points Overview
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| NRU 2 | 25 |
| EORU 1 | 21 |
| TRU 1 | 20 |
| NRU | 17 |
| SWRU 2 | 10 |
| SWRU | 9 |
| TRU | 9 |
| EORU 2 | 0 |
Teams earned points for wins, draws, and scoring performance. NRU 2 ranked first, finishing the tournament with five wins and one loss.
Previous Medalists
The Ontario Summer Games have recorded past medalists in both boys and girls divisions.
2018 Medal Results
U17 Girls:
Niagara Rugby Union – Green
Toronto Rugby Union – Team #1
Eastern Ontario Rugby Union – Team #1
U17 Boys:
- Eastern Ontario Rugby Union – Team #1
- Toronto Rugby Union – Team #1
- Niagara Rugby Union – Thunder
Games in 2022 also featured U15 divisions and followed a similar structure, although detailed results are limited.
About Rugby Ontario
Rugby Ontario is the organization in charge of running and developing rugby across the province. It helps select teams for the Ontario Summer Games and works with regional unions to make sure players are chosen fairly and events run smoothly.
The group also supports youth development, trains coaches, and assigns referees. It manages safety policies, including concussion protocols and insurance, to keep players protected.
Rugby Ontario works with Games Ontario and local hosts to organize schedules, venues, and match-day operations. It also runs programs like the Ontario Blues and supports competitions at all levels.
As they describe it:
“Our mission is to lead, support and promote Rugby For All from communities to clubs to province.” – Rugby Ontario
This mission reflects their commitment to making rugby accessible and supportive for every level of player.
What’s Next for Rugby at the Games
The Ontario Summer Games will return in 2026, with Waterloo Region confirmed as the next host city. The event will run from July 30 to August 2, and rugby is expected to continue in its current U17 and U18 sevens format.
Players hoping to earn a spot on a regional team should start early. That means being active with a Rugby Ontario-affiliated club, competing regularly at the U16 or U18 level, and keeping an eye out for tryout announcements, which usually happen in the spring of the Games year. Regional unions handle team selection, so performance and coach recommendations play a key role.
For many athletes, the road to the Ontario Summer Games starts well before the tournament itself – it begins with consistent training, match experience, and a connection to their local rugby community.
Getting Involved
Young players interested in competing in future Ontario Summer Games typically start with local clubs affiliated with their regional union. From there, participation in development programs and regional teams can create pathways to selection for Ontario Summer Games squads.
For more information about rugby development in Ontario, contact Rugby Ontario:
Office: Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, 875 Morningside Ave, Toronto
Email: info@rugbyontario.com
Website: rugbyontario.com
The next Ontario Summer Games will provide another opportunity for young rugby players to showcase their talents while representing their regions in this unique, multi-sport celebration of Ontario athletics.