Rugby Ontario - Powered By esportsdesk.com

ONTARIO BLUES ANNOUNCE HOME VENUES; OAKVILLE/BURLINGTON AREA GROWING THE GAME

The Ontario Blues of the Canadian Rugby Championships (highest level of domestic rugby) have announced their home dates and venues for the 2011 season, including a unique partnership with the city of Burlington and its rugby club, the Burlington Centaurs.

Burlington RFC will host three Blues home games later this summer, building on the success of last season where they more than tripled the 2009 average attendance by drawing 1,000 fans per game to the club at Sherwood Forest Park.

The Blues home season opens in Oakville, on Saturday May 21 at 430 pm (note the date change), with the Blues hosting Los Mayuautos de Salta, a strong Argentine provincial side that competes in the IRB Cross Border competition in South America. Oakville hosted a classic encounter between England Counties and the Blues last season, and with the largest membership of any club in Canada, will surely put their formidable resources behind it.

“Blues v Salta should be a fantastic rugby day, and we are delighted to be able to bring top class rugby to the club and the Town of Oakville” said club president David Haslam.

After opening the CRC season on the road in Calgary and Vancouver, the Blues will return to Ontario and face Canada Selects on Sunday, August 7. Canada Selects will feature players from the Rugby World Cup roster as the national team prepares for the RWC in New Zealand in September.

On August 27, Blues will face Prairie Wolfpack at Burlington. The Wolfpack edged Ontario 15-13 last year in Calgary to earn a place in the final in a hugely physical battle, and this year's game should continue that trend.

The defending champion Atlantic Rock will visit Burlington on Saturday, September 3 in a game that could have a huge impact on the CRC Championship. These teams have traded lopsided home wins, Ontario winning 32-5 at home in 2009 and The Rock running out 33-0 winners last year in Newfoundland.

“Having three games in Burlington gives us the chance to deepen the relationship with local business and sponsors, and to attract local fans who would not normally see high level rugby” said Centaurs president Barry Goldberg.

Rugby Ontario Senior Men’s Director Pat Daniels echoed these sentiments, saying “Burlington have done a great job in linking with sponsors, local businesses and services and community schools, all of which let us expand our fan base and giving real value to the community.”

There will be curtain-raising matches of various description at all home games, details to be released in the coming weeks