TIRF Mourns the Loss of Board Member, Paul Myers

Toronto, ON. May 2022 – The Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation (TIRF) is saddened to announce the passing of board member and TIRF Coach Paul Myers.

We are deeply saddened to learn the news that Paul Myers has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family: Julie, Dayna, and Mitchell. Paul was larger than life. To many he was a coach, a mentor, and a friend. He’s done so much for the game, community, and even more for the young people who were fortunate to be in his orbit or under his leadership.
Paul touched so many lives in such a joyously positive way. He’s challenged us all to be better, hit harder, work smarter, and do more. While we all take the time to process this enormous loss, we know he’d want us to reflect and share stories from the good times. We will share how folks can pay their respects when those details become available
Grief and loss is a very personal journey, if you are struggling and need additional supports outside of friends and family, please contact KidsHelp Phone’s texting service CONNECT and text 686868.
Please check-in with each other and let us know how we can help.

 

-30- 

ABOUT PAUL MYERS
Paul Myers, a level two World Rugby Coach and ha decades of coaching experience in both football and rugby. While working at a police officer, Paul volunteered his time to coach students at the local high schools in Oakville and Toronto. Paul has coached with the Balmy Beach Men’s team and more recently has been active in the Ontario Junior Blues program coaching both 7’s and 15’s teams and reaching national 7’s finals in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. As a coach-of-coaches, Paul has trained numerous coaches, educators and after-school service providers in the fundamentals of rugby. Before retiring, Paul was the Rugby Development Coordinator for the Toronto Inner-City Rugby Foundation. The legacy of Paul’s impact on the sport led to Paul’s induction to the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame in 2019 and sitting on TIRF’s board of directors until his passing in 2022.

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