History

The Aurora Barbarians RFC (Barbs) celebrated there 70th anniversary in 2020. The Club began as two separate rugby clubs: The Toronto Barbarians and the Aurora Rugby Club. The club officially became the Aurora Barbarians in 2002 when the two clubs successful merged.

The Aurora Barbarians philosophy is “A Club for All” and have focused on developing and leading Junior, Minor and Women’s programs to consistently rank among the largest membership clubs in Canada.

The Aurora Rugby Club was constituted in 1998, developing from the original Aurora Yorks which were formed in 1961 by John .T. P. Brown, a member of the Ontario Rugby Hall of Fame and a past president of the Ontario Rugby Union.

In 1949 rugby was resurrected in post-war Ontario by a group of British expatriates who banded together to form the Wanderers RFC. The following year, the group launched an intensive recruiting drive for players and drawing together a total of 80 would-be participants, set up three additional teams based in Toronto including the Barbarians

The club lead the development of junior rugby in the 70s and purchased a share of Fletcher’s Fields during this time. The club were at the forefront of the re-development of Fletcher’s Fields in the early 90’s, which lead to the construction of a stadium which brought International rugby matches to the GTA.

On the pitch, the club fielded a number of strong championship Senior Mens and youth teams in the 50’s 60’s,70’s and 80’s. After the merger in 2002, the Aurora Barbarians enjoyed a string of success at the Senior Mens level. The club captured five straight league championships, three McCormick Club Championships and made at total of seven McCormick Cup appearances from 2006-2013.

The Senior Women were a similar dominant group with three OWL championships from 2012 to 2016. The club has also seen success from their U-18 Boys and Girls program having won a number of Provincial Championships

The Barbs have strong old Boys network of “Black Sheep” supporters. There were notable tours in the 60s and 70’s to USA and Caribbean destinations; in the 80’s to Vancouver, California and Chicago; in the 90s and 2000’s to Las Vegas and NY

Accolades

Rugby Ontario Cups

U18 Boys 7’s Cup Champions 2023

U18 Girls 15’s Cup Champions 2022

U18 Girls 15’s Cup Champions 2019

U18 Girls 7s Cup Champions 2019

U18 Boys 7s Cup Champions 2019

U18 Boys 7s Cup Champions 2018

Ontario Women’s League 15’s Cup Champions 2016

Ontario Women’s League 15’s Cup Champions 2015

Ontario Women’s League 7’s Cup Champions 2015

U-18 Girls Club Championship 2015

U-18 Boys Club Championship 2013

Ontario Women’s League 15’s Cup Champions 2012

McCormick Cup Champions 2010

McCormick Cup Champions 2009

McCormick Cup Champions 2007

Ontario Men’s Under-18 championship 2002

 Rugby Ontario Leagues

Provincial Club Champions 2016 (Womens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2013 (Womens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2012 (Womens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2010 (Mens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2009 (Mens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2008 (Mens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2007 (Mens 1st XV)

Provincial Club Champions 2006 (Mens 1st XV)

Toronto Rugby Union

U17 Boys 7’s Club Champions 2018

U-18 Boys 7’s Club Champions 2015

U-18 Girls Club Champions 2015

U-16 Girls Sevens Champions 2014

U-18 Boys Club Champions 2013

U-18 Girls Club Champions 2011

U-18 Boys Club Champions 2005

ABRFC Notable Alumni

Jack McRogers

Andrew Quattrin- 2019 World Cup

Paul Ciulini

McKinley Hunt- 2021 World Cup

Tyson Beukeboom- 2014/2017/2021 World Cup

Chloe Daniels – Canada 7s

Emma Chown- Canada 7s

Nadia Popov- 2015 PanAM Gold

Jacey Murphy- 2014/2017 World Cup

Lori Josephson

David Nielsen

Oliver Atkinson

Natalie Bendavid

Marco Di Girolamo- 2003 World Cup