Toronto, ON. October 2022 – The Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF) is pleased to announce the inaugural Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship.
The Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship supports student athletes who strive to make a positive and long-lasting impact. The scholarship was established in memory of Coach Paul Myers who played an integral role in the creation and cultivation of TIRF. Coach Myers was an advocate for the sport of rugby and education as they provided the opportunity for young athletes to be capable leaders. He believed that young people should be engaged citizens; that they actively participate in improving their community and ultimately make an impact that is positive and long-lasting.
“We are so pleased to be able to continue the legacy of Paul’s work in supporting student athletes through this newly created scholarship,” said Bill Di Nardo, TIRF co-founder and board member. “Education and character development were cornerstones to Paul’s approach in nurturing athletes.”
One of those athletes Coach Myers supported was Shawnti Peters. Ms. Peters, a first-year sociology major and varsity athlete at Brock University, is the first recipient of the Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship.
“I aspire to be the kind of leader that Coach Myers was. I know that he opened many eyes and doors for people,“ said Shawnti Peters. “I want to thank his family for taking the time to support me and giving me the chance to be the first recipient of the Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship.”
The Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship was made possible thanks to the generosity of the friends, family, and colleagues of the Myers family.
““Paul’s time working at TIRF was incredibly important to him.” said Julie Myers, Paul’s wife. “He loved connecting with student athletes, finding their strengths and helping them become the best version of themselves. Thank you to everyone who made his memorial scholarship possible.”
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ABOUT THE PAUL MYERS MEMORIAL ADVANCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
The Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship is a one-year scholarship award designed for student-athletes who demonstrate global citizenship and community building. Applications for The Paul Myers Memorial Advancement Scholarship and other TIRF Scholarship Awards are accepted from January through May through the website: TIRF Rugby | Scholarship Program.
ABOUT TORONTO INNER-CITY RUGBY FOUNDATION
The Toronto Inner-city Rugby Foundation (TIRF) is a youth-driven and rugby-centred sport-for-development organization that uses rugby as a tool for social good. TIRF, a registered non-profit founded in 2011, builds community through rugby in 31 of Toronto’s underserved, low-income and priority neighbourhoods. Sanctioned by Rugby Canada; Rugby Ontario, and working in partnership with eight Toronto rugby clubs; school boards and community service providers, TIRF reduces the financial, geographical, cultural, and systemic barriers that prevent children and youth from participating in the sport. TIRF has a 10-year history of transforming the lives of youth people through sport. www.TIRFrugby.ca