Academy

Vision

The Toronto Arrows Academy is committed to the development of the next generation of professional and international Canadian players. The Academy staff will continuously identify high-potential and high-performing athletes between the ages of 14 – 23 and develop these individuals into MLR-ready players through a player-centric, holistic, multi-year program.

Mission

The aim of the Toronto Arrows Academy is to enable athletes to develop their individual potential through exposure to a professional rugby environment.

Our primary goal is to build a nationally-recognized talent identification and development program that fuels the sustained success of the Senior Team and rugby in Canada.

The Arrows recognize the importance of working alongside stakeholders in the rugby community, specifically clubs and schools. The Academy works with those partners, and the athletes to foster a collaborative environment, where the best interests of the athletes are first and foremost.

Philosophy

To support the development of future Senior Arrows, the Toronto Arrows Academy strives to create an environment designed to prepare athletes for Major League Rugby, placing a heavy emphasis on skill development.

The Arrows Academy staff believes that each athlete’s unique potential must be challenged and developed while at the Academy. Academy players will work with coaches, strength and conditioning and analysts, as well as members of the Senior Team. Game plans and playing style is simplified in order to allow players to demonstrate the skills they are acquiring, providing near-term feedback loops for accelerated player development.

Academy staff strive to create a supportive and challenging environment, fostering player and coach development to allow individuals to develop into elite-level performers; the foundation of this development is underpinned by our values of work ethic, accountability and enjoyment.

Academy Player Pathway

The Toronto Arrows pathway has been simplified in order for players, parents, coaches and stakeholders to understand and assess potential entry points.

The pathway provides opportunities for players across Ontario to enter the pathway at any point throughout their development.

Regional Training Framework

Our non-residential Senior Academy operates in regional training sites in Ontario (Guelph) and Quebec (Montreal).

The hubs provide access to top-of-class training facilities and support systems.

Calendar

In recognition of the broad geography covered by our players across the province, player development occurs both regionally and centrally for Academy players, aligned with the Ontario rugby season.

Winter training sessions occur from January to March, hosted at regional centres and in conjunction with select clubs and schools. The coordination with clubs and schools is to reduce unnecessary travel and costs for Academy players, but also to support local rugby programs with the inclusion of Academy players in their winter sessions.

Remote monitoring of Academy players through the winter period by our Strength and Conditioning, Analytics and Coaching staff is supported by applications used by the Arrows and shared with Rugby Canada.

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Our non-residential Junior Academy trains across three regional sites and is facilitated in partnership with Rugby Ontario.

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Please note that as the Academy is non-residential, selectors will focus recruitment on domestic players, rather than international.

2022-2023 Ontario Blues Junior Arrows Academy program information can be found here.

Coaching Staff

Cory Hector | Academy Director & Head Coach
John Lavery | Regional Academy Lead (Concordia)
Adam Maahs | Regional Academy Lead (Guelph)

Performance Staff

Shane Cahill | Strength and Conditioning
Terry Jones | Athletic Therapy
Rodin Lozada | Performance Analyst

Latest Academy News

June 25, 2023 | Last-Minute Try Propels Academy to Win Over Selects, 2023 Coast to Coast Cup Championship
June 24, 2023 | Academy Set for Winner-Take-All Clash with Selects in Coast to Coast Cup
June 21, 2023 | Academy Withstands Late BC Surge to Win Coast to Coast Cup Thriller
June 21, 2023 | Arrows Academy Lineup Set for Coast to Coast Cup Opener
June 19, 2023 | Six Ontario Blues Junior Arrows Academy Athletes Named to Canada U18 Squad
June 16, 2023 | Arrows Announce Senior Academy Squad for 2023 Coast to Coast Cup
May 31, 2023 | Twelve Arrows Academy Players Named to Canada’s World Rugby U20 Trophy Qualifier Roster
May 3, 2023 | Twelve Arrows Academy Players Named to Canada U20 Touring Roster
April 22, 2023 | Academy Lineup Announced for Atlantic Selects Meet-Up
April 14, 2023 | Academy Lineup Announced for 2023 Season Opener Against Quebec
April 13, 2023 | 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Continues as Long-Standing Partner of the Toronto Arrows
April 12, 2023 | Arrows Academy Set to Take Flight for 2023 Season