Leicester Tigers have recently announced a significant partnership with the charitable fund, For the Love of the Game, in a move aimed at bolstering the pathway for Canadian women’s rugby players to achieve their full potential in the sport.
For the Love of the Game was founded by the former Leicester Tigers wing and Canadian international, Dave Lougheed, with the noble intention of providing Canadian rugby players with the opportunity to test their skills abroad. This initiative was inspired by Lougheed’s own experience of attending an England Rugby training camp as a young under-18 player, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career.
The charitable fund played a pivotal role in the recent signing of the Canada international fly half, Claire Gallagher, and Canadian international back row, Julia Omokhuale. This partnership has been made possible through the swift approval of International clearance by Rugby Canada, enabling Gallagher and Omokhuale to make their debut for Leicester Tigers in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby matches against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks, for which the club extends their gratitude to Rugby Canada for their efficient cooperation.
Expressing his enthusiasm for seeing Canadian players donning the famous Tigers strip once again, Lougheed reminisced about his own playing days at the club. He conveyed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “For the Love of the Game is very excited to be partnering with the Tigers to create a pathway for Canadian women to play in the best women’s club rugby competition in the world. Leicester are an amazing club with a proud history and a bright future. We know those who get the chance to join the club will be great additions to the Tigers and we look forward to following their success.”
Furthermore, Lougheed emphasised the personal significance of the partnership, drawing from his own cherished memories at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and described his time with the Tigers as the highlight of his playing career. He also reiterated the core mission of For the Love of the Game, which is to ‘Inspire excellence through experience for athletes, coaches, and their passionate supporters’, expressing his belief that this partnership will be instrumental in fulfilling this vision.
The formalised collaboration between Leicester Tigers and For the Love of the Game is a promising development for women’s rugby in Canada, and it underlines the growing commitment towards fostering greater opportunities and support for female athletes in the sport. With the combined expertise and resources of these two entities, the future certainly looks bright for Canadian women’s rugby players aiming to make their mark on the global stage.
This partnership not only signifies a significant milestone for women’s rugby, but also serves as a testament to the profound impact that collaborative efforts can have in shaping the future of the sport. As the partnership continues to unfold, it is poised to bring about meaningful changes and exciting prospects for aspiring female rugby players in Canada and beyond.