CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Graham Brown
 
The Chief Executive Officer has full authority and management control of all administrative functions of Rugby Canada.  This includes management of the game at the domestic level and the maintenance of liaisons with the International Rugby Board and its member national unions. 

The CEO is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day operations of the union, including the marketing / communications and promotions of the union; the financial management of the union (budgeting / forecasting / reporting); responsible for the management and delivery of numerous national programs (including coaching, refereeing, youth development, national age grade teams, national men’s and women’s teams) as well as all domestic events, international events and national championships.

A major aspect of the role of the CEO is to work with, monitor and help lead a team of over 150 volunteers, paid coaches and medical staff associated with our programs. This includes a team of over twenty (20) staff and seventeen (17) members of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors.  The CEO is also responsible for delivering the short and long-term vision of the organization and ensuring the successful implementation of all quantitative and qualitative goals and objectives.


Graham Brown is currently employed as Chief Executive Officer for Rugby Canada.  Hired in July 2002 as Chief Operating Officer, Graham was appointed CEO in 2003 and has acted in this capacity since.  Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the union, Graham has been instrumental in evolving Rugby Canada into a progressive and highly respected national sport organization both in Canada and abroad.

During his tenure as CEO, Graham has worked with and helped lead a dedicated team of staff, provincial union partners and board members to ensure the solid foundation on which the Union operates now. In his role as CEO Graham is co-chair of the National Team Sport Coalition, representing many team sports in Canada and also represents Rugby Canada on the Commonwealth Games / Canadian Olympic Committee and Pan Am Games.

Graham joined Rugby Canada after serving for four years from 1998-2002 as Executive Director of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). His experience working with ice hockey has provided the foundation for which his vision for PSO / NSO relationships exist today.  Graham is a Sessional Instructor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Management and has delivered the School’s Event & Sponsorship Management course for the past several years.

Graham graduated from the University of Windsor in 1992 after completing a Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Honours Sports Administration) immediately followed by a Masters of Human Kinetics (Sports Management) in 1995.

The move to Rugby Canada from hockey was inspired in part by his passion for Rugby. Graham was a founding member of the University of Windsor Rugby program in 1989 and has been involved with many other southern Ontario clubs, including Chatham Kent Raiders RFC, Sarnia Saints RFC and has been a member of the Aurora Barbarians, who captured the 2009 McCormack Cup Champion. Graham has served as Secretary and is currently Past President for the Aurora Barbarians. Having also played Varsity Basketball and Football at the University of Windsor, Graham has been active in the basketball community as both a player and Director of the York North Basketball Association (YNBA).

Graham currently lives in Aurora, Ontario with his wife Denise and three children, Aidan, Sarah and Ryan.