NEWS: University of Ottawa named host of 2024 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship

August 9, 2023

OTTAWA, ON – University of Ottawa Recreation and Varsity Sports is proud to be selected by the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship (CUMRC) Board as hosts of the 2024 CUMRC presented by Lougheed Wealth Management.

The CUMRC was founded in 2017 to provide a high-level national championship competition for men's rugby programs representing institutions from coast-to-coast. As of 2022, the number of teams vying for a place at the championship has grown to 34.

"We are honoured to be named hosts of the 2024 CUMRC and bring an outstanding championship to our Nation's Capital," said Sue Hylland, Senior Director of Recreation and Varsity Sports at the University of Ottawa. "The entire Gee-Gees family is excited to provide an exceptional experience to all teams, officials, and fans attending the championship. Our university and the entire National Capital Region have a proud rugby tradition we look forward to building on again next year."

The 2024 Championship, hosted at uOttawa's Matt Anthony Field, will feature eight teams from across the nation contending for the Spence McTavish Trophy. As hosts, the Gee-Gees men's rugby program will gain automatic entry.

The Gee-Gees men's rugby program has been on a rapid upward trajectory since joining the RSEQ in 2018. In 2022, Ottawa posted a 6-1 regular season record en route to their first berth in the RSEQ Championship Final.

The University of Ottawa has proven to be a surehanded host of national championship events, including women's rugby, men's and women's basketball in 2019-20, and women's soccer in 2018.

"As a guest at the 2019 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship hosted by the University of Ottawa, I was only too happy to receive Ottawa's bid and am confident that uOttawa will be an exemplary host in 2024, and be fitting representatives of the City of Ottawa, the University, the RSEQ conference, and uOttawa Recreation and Varsity Sports. We can't wait to get on the Matt Anthony pitch in 16 months and demonstrate the continued growth and development of university rugby in Canada!" said Jeff Chan, Chair and Co-founder of the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship.

The 2023 edition of the CUMRC is set to be hosted by Trinity Western University at Willoughby Community Park in Langley, BC from Nov. 15-19.

For more information, contact:

Spencer Murdock

Sports Information Officer, University of Ottawa

smurdock@uottawa.ca

Jeff Chan

Chair, Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship

jeffachan@gmail.com

Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship History:

2022 – Champion: UBC Thunderbirds / Host: UBC

2021 – Champion: UBC Thunderbirds / Host: Queen's

2020 – Not played due to COVID-19 pandemic