January 2026 Blues Newsletter

In this issue:
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Welcome to the 2026 Bytown Blues

Welcome to 2026 and a new year and season with the Bytown Blues Rugby Football Club. 2025 was a successful year, and we're grateful to have such a supportive community to help grow, evolve and improve in many areas this coming season. As President, it is a pleasure to be part of such a fantastic club. I am personally thankful for the thousands of hours donated by our volunteer executive team, coaches and volunteers. It is truly part of what makes rugby and the Blues remarkable. Advance!

Rupert Bonham-Carter, President Bytown Blues RFC

Winter training is underway

We kicked off Winter Training this week at the University of Ottawa Dome at 200 Lees Ave.  These training sessions are open to all and run for one hour every Saturday at 6 PM until March 21st.  The fees for these sessions are $169.50 inc HST.  All 2025 Registered members should just e-transfer treasurer@bytownbluesrugby.ca.  New members are welcome, but should also contact Sindy Brault at registration@bytownbluesrugby.ca.

Anyone capturing photos or video of the Blues in action can email vp.marketing@bytownbluesrugby.ca (the more the better)

Our Women and girls at the first session

Junior Strength and Conditioning Offer

Only 6 Spots remain for the Junior Bytown Blues High Performance Training at Capital Strength Training Systems. This program is an excellent opportunity to build strength, speed and cardio to prepare for this season and take your game to the next level. See the attached flyer for additional info and reach out to Coach Mason via email with any questions. 

Mason@capitalstrengthts.com

Registration System Update

Heads up: the longtime system used by Rugby Canada, Rugby Ontario, and all rugby clubs is being replaced this year.  The new system (PlayHQ) should be live in the coming weeks.   Thank you for your patience as we navigate new members and winter training until then.  If you have questions or need assistance, contact our registration coordinator, Sindy Brault, registration@bytownbluesrugby.ca.

Senior Men Return to the Marshall & EORU

We are excited to share that our Blues 1XV will be returning to compete in Rugby Ontario’s 2026 Marshall Championship League.

The first home game is Saturday, May 9th, at Twin Elm Rugby Park. Schedule Here

Our other senior men's teams will compete locally in the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union (EORU) this season.  The EORU schedules are still under development, but we will be competing against the 1XV teams from all of the local clubs, creating excellent opportunities and an outstanding level of rugby.  Coming off a successful 2025 campaign, our senior men plan to field three full sides for many weekends this summer.

Save the date - JULY 18 - Blues Club Day

Make sure you mark your calendar for July 18th, as we will all be spending the day at Twin Elm Rugby Park together for a day of rugby, social activities, and club celebrations.  Our Club Day only happens once a year, and we’d love to have you all there.  It’s a great day of celebration.  If you’d like to join the Blues day committee to help out, please email Karel Brault at volunteers@bytownbluesrugby.ca.

Annual Awards Winners

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Bytown Blues Award Winners

AGM Updates

The club held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, November 24th, 2025.  For those interested, here is a link to the annual 2025 President's Update.

2026 BLUES EXECUTIVE TEAM

A special thank you to our past executive members stepping back after years of service and contribution to the club.

Myles Dingwall - Outgoing VP Comms, Sponsorships

James Edgar - Outgoing Secretary (now Secretary at EORU)

Cecilia Nicol - Outgoing Registrar (Retired)

Kerry Labine - Outgoing VP Finance (still helping with club dues)

Chris Knowlton - Outgoing VP Minor (still coaching)

Elis Hancock and Team Canada Win

The Blues own Elias Hancock and Canada’s Men’s Sevens team are Champions in Dubai, Qualify for HSBC SVNS 2 LINK

Congratulations Elias!

Calling all Volunteers

The Bytown Blues RFC is a 100% volunteer-run organization.  For the first time, the executive team has added a dedicated volunteer coordinator.  

Here are some of the places we need volunteers.

• Social Media content contributors (photos, video, social)

• Blues Day Committee

• Team Managers

• VP Minor Rugby

• Coaches

• Match Officials

If you can help, please send us a note.  

Karel Brault is our first coordinator and can be reached at volunteers@bytownbluesrugby.ca

Our Valued Sponsors

If you’d like to help and become a Blues sponsor, please reach out to Timothy Campanale at sponsorship@bytownbluesrugby.ca