Toronto Arrows Announce Initial Group of 2021 Signings
11 June 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are continuing their initial roster assembly ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season, with the team sharing its first group of players to sign for next year’s campaign.
The club is pleased to announce that Tomas de la Vega, Will Kelly, Mitch Richardson, Tyler Rowland and Marcello Wainwright will return for the 2021 season.
Tomas de la Vega
Flanker | Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrow #42
The athletic Argentine returns to the club following a standout 2020 season, where the 29-year-old started all five matches in the abbreviated campaign. De la Vega led the team in many statistical categories, including minutes played (396) – he was on the field for all but four minutes in 2020 – as well as made tackles (70), carries (59), lineout takes (34), and offloads (7).
The 6’2” flanker is a full Argentinian international, having made 12 appearances for the senior Pumas and representing the Argentina under-20s in both 2009 and 2010.
Will Kelly
Fly-half | Ancaster, Ontario
Arrow #47
Kelly featured twice for the Arrows in the shortened 2020 season, making seven tackles and earning 42 kicking metres in his pair of appearances off the bench.
The 22-year-old fly-half is a full Canadian international (1 cap), earning his Canada debut at the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship. He also represented the Canada under-20s in 2017.
Kelly is a graduate of the Ontario Blues senior men’s provincial program and Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride national development program, and played his grassroots rugby with the Brantford Harlequins.
Mitch Richardson
Centre | Stoney Creek, Ontario
Arrow #27
Richardson has made six appearances for the Arrows over his two seasons with the club, including featuring in four games in 2020, where he had six carries for 50 total metres.
The 24-year-old centre is a graduate of the Ontario Blues senior men’s provincial program and Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride national development program, represented the Canada under-20s in 2016, and played his grassroots rugby with the Stoney Creek Camels.
Tyler Rowland
Prop | Toronto, Ontario
Arrow #46
Rowland made three appearances for the Arrows in his first season with the club, with the 20-year-old completing all of his tackles in his 23 minutes on the pitch.
The up-and-coming prop is a graduate of the Ontario Blues junior men’s provincial program and Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride national development program, represented the Canada under-20s in both 2018 and 2019, and played his grassroots rugby with the Toronto Nomads.
Marcello Wainwright
Flanker / No. 8 | Toronto, Ontario
Arrow #21
While unable to feature during the shortened 2020 season due to injury, Wainwright appeared in 15 matches for the Arrows in 2019. The 23-year-old back row stalwart produced a strong debut season with the club, racking up 158 made tackles (90.8% completion), 427 carry metres on 81 carries, and two tries.
The hometown back row specialist has featured for the Canada Maple Leafs Sevens national development program, is a graduate of the Ontario Blues senior men’s provincial program, and played his grassroots rugby with the Toronto Scottish and Toronto Saracens.
Wainwright is also a player ambassador for club partner organization Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation, a Toronto-based rugby-centred community nonprofit that uses rugby as a tool for social good.
“We are very happy to have these four young Ontario-bred players back to help form the core of our franchise,” said Arrows Vice President and General Manager Mark Winokur. “The key to our long-term success will be developing our local talent and for all four of these guys, 2021 will be a year of impact. This past season didn’t go to plan after it was cut short due to the pandemic, but just hearing the determination in their voices when committing for next year gives us a strong belief that we are on the right track to achieve our club goals.”
“As for Tomy, not only was he statistically one of the top players in MLR, he was also a consummate pro who fit into our room from day one and led by example every single day,” added Winokur. “We are very excited what Tomy – and the entire team – can do in 2021, and he will continue to be a major piece of the equation for our side moving forward.”
This group of five signings join Adrian Wadden as the initial players making up the team’s 2021 roster.
The Arrows will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as the club ramps up preparations for its 2021 season.
About Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club:
The Toronto Arrows Rugby Football Club is Canada’s first professional rugby union team.
Competing in Major League Rugby, the team is equipped to compete against top-tier North American club teams, providing emerging Canadian talent with enhanced and more frequent opportunities to hone their skills at an elite level.
For more information, visit https://torontoarrows.com/
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For more information, please contact:
Brock Smith
Communications Manager
Toronto Arrows
416-846-3228
[email protected]
Header Photo Credit: Bernard Ayala
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