The Canadian Rugby Talent ID Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robin MacDowell Announces

Canadian Rugby Talent ID Network

February, 2023.

Dream. Believe. Succeed.

Robin MacDowell is proud to announce his newest Rugby venture: The Canadian Rugby Talent ID Network in partnership with High Five Rugby and celebrated Coach Sandro Fiorino.

MacDowell formed the Rugby Talent ID Network with an eye to bridging the gap between talented players and the pathways that may be inaccessible to them for a variety of reasons, and partnered with Fiorino to be able to reach those athletes coast to coast.

Knowing there are athletes coast to coast chasing their dreams with a rugby community working tirelessly to support them, MacDowell & Fiorino aim to offer opportunities for the players, coaches, and community members invested in their athletes to get their talent seen.

One of the biggest barriers facing Canadian rugby is our sheer geography, so MacDowell will begin networking with players and talent ID ‘partners’ country-wide starting in February with him focusing on the west, and Fiorino focussing on the east.

Armed with an uncanny ability to spot talent and help foster it, MacDowell has said “I know we have the talent, they just need to be found.” For his part, Fiorino said “The Rugby Talent ID Network is a great platform to enhance the player's experience. Having the ability to connect athletes, coaches and sports organizations.”

MacDowell added: “I’ve been traveling around Canada since I finished playing internationally 2009 coaching and helping players find their pathways, and I have had the privilege to work with people from across the americas and beyond. I believe we all need to work together. We all have the same goals as a rugby community – to help athletes chase their dreams. I believe the ID Network can help those players,” explains MacDowell.

Starting soon, Rugby Talent ID Network will be on the lookout for female and male players of all ages. The first steps will be to identify selectors across Canada – other individuals who have worked with talented players and who have the ability to pinpoint that x-factor.

Despite Canada’s size, MacDowell says “the one thing that came out of the pandemic is that we learned how to use the technology to connect and collaborate more than we ever had before. Now that we have these tools, I see them as helping to get players seen.”

With two decades of talent ID behind him, MacDowell’s goal is “to build an open network with coaches, supporters, families, and friends, to help support our existing pathways regionally, sub-regionally, provincially, and ultimately nationally.”

“Of course, this also applies to our wonderful USport programs, MLR teams, Premier 7s, Provincial, Regional, Clubs, and ultimately our national team programs teams to find the talent, support the talent, and see them live their dreams,” MacDowell explains.

If you or someone you know wants to be part of the solution and help to drive the sport of rugby forward in Canada, MacDowell welcomes your application and thanks you for your time, energy, and passion.

The talent is out there, we have to go find them!

Please stay tuned for more information as it comes available.

In the meantime, to apply as a Talent ID Selector, please send a letter and one-page CV of your rugby experience to robin@macdowellrugby.ca.

Working together to help players who DREAM continue to BELIEVE so they may SUCCEED.