Algonquin College rugby players seeing their teams cut next year

Algonquin College’s student association says it will be suspending the men’s and women’s rugby teams next year as it grapples with financial shortfalls.

Another program is on the chopping block for students at Algonquin College. The woman’s and men’s rugby teams have been told there will be no playing next year.

The Algonquin Students’ Association says that due to the ongoing financial challenges in the post-secondary education sector, it is suspending the sport starting in the fall of 2026.

“Due to ongoing financial challenges in the post-secondary education sector, the Algonquin Students’ Association (SA) has made the difficult decision to suspend the Algonquin Wolves Varsity Rugby program as of Fall 2026,” the association said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“As an organization, the SA remains dedicated to Varsity athletics and supporting our Wolves teams, players, coaches, and fans.”

• Algonquin College board of governors votes to suspend 30 programs

The Algonquin Students’ Association is a student run, not-for-profit corporation that says it operates independently of Algonquin College.

Discovering the news was difficult for second year and women’s rugby varsity team member Princess Ikeson.

“The girls are like family to me,” she said. “We are all there for each other.”

She says being on the team has been a defining experience during her time at school and an important escape from the challenges of her paramedics courses.

“It’s more than a sport to me, and… to a lot of people,” she said. “I think since coming to Algonquin and playing on the team, I’ve really grown in the sport and my love for the sport has grown and (I’ve made) so many connections.”

Men’s varsity player Jack Badger says the season ended in October, and after students were told the news during a meeting earlier this week, he feels disappointed.

“It just seemed very abrupt,” he said. “It’s very disappointing. It’s something that I look forward to every year. The opportunity to represent the school and help a lot of younger rugby players come through… I’ve had more of a leadership role over my three years.”

It’s the latest cut to programming at the college this year after the board of governor’s voted to suspend 30 programs ahead of the next school year as it faces significant funding shortfalls.

It’s also not the first school to cut to sports programming at post-secondary institutions in Canada.

At McGill University, the women’s rugby team raised tens of thousands in funding to help save its program earlier this year.

Ikeson says she hopes to continue speaking with school officials to see what can be done to reinstate the teams next year. She says it’s for both her and future Algonquin College students.

“We don’t think it’s a lost hope, hence our fight right now,” she said.

“I would not have been where I am with these people if not for the sport and if not for playing on this team.”

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