Toronto Arrows Announce Signings of Atkinson, Flesch from Pacific Pride

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the signings of Chris Atkinson and Mason Flesch out of the Rugby Canada National Development Academy.

Atkinson, 23, recently entered his first year as part of the Pacific Pride program. At 5’10” and 265lbs, the Surrey, British Columbia native will shore up the squad’s depth across the front row.

Flesch, 21, commenced his sophomore campaign with the Pride this past autumn. Having featured for the Canada under-20s at the 2019 World Rugby Junior World Trophy, the 6’4”, 235-lb product of Cobourg, Ontario is able to play across the back row.

Both Atkinson and Flesch were invited to Rugby Canada’s high-performance camp this past November, training alongside 13 additional Arrows participating in the three-week, Langford-based camp.

“Mason is a very big body who’s fast and athletic, and he gives us range and pace in the back row,” said Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Mark Winokur. “He stood out in the November camp, and is an Ontario guy through and through, having coming through the Ontario Blues age-grade program. We think he has a big future.”

“Chris is a tough young prop who gives us depth and potential to develop in the front row, and is ramping up fast in camp.”

The Arrows will begin their third campaign in North America’s top-flight professional rugby league with a road match against the Rugby ATL on Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021.

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 professional 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
[email protected]