In a recent announcement, Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier rugby competition in North America, revealed that the Toronto Arrows would cease operations immediately, marking their absence from the 2024 MLR season.
The decision was not made lightly, and both MLR and the Arrows organization explored every avenue to keep the club active in the league. Regrettably, after exhaustive efforts, Toronto found itself with no alternative but to voluntarily withdraw.
Nic Benson, the CEO of MLR, expressed gratitude towards the Toronto Arrows leadership, acknowledging their commitment to nurturing rugby in Canada.
Despite the unfortunate news, Benson assured that the health of MLR remains robust. He emphasised the league’s determination to explore possibilities for reintroducing a team to Canada in the future.
Tim Matthews, the General Manager of the Toronto Arrows, conveyed the heartbreaking news of the team’s non-participation in the 2024 MLR season.
The passing of Bill Webb, a significant figure in the club, posed an immense challenge that, despite extensive efforts, proved insurmountable.
Matthews assured fans, partners, and the rugby community of the ongoing collaboration with the league office and contracted players to navigate the next steps.
As MLR navigates the details of this transition, plans for player disbursement processes will be disclosed shortly.
Additionally, an update on the 2024 MLR schedule will be provided at a later date. Toronto Arrows pledged to keep fans informed about ticket refunds in the coming weeks.
While the news is undoubtedly disheartening for the rugby community, the focus remains on honouring the legacy of the Toronto Arrows and their contributions to Canadian rugby.
As the league looks ahead, the possibility of a future return to Canada brings a glimmer of hope for fans and enthusiasts of the sport.
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