ABOUT US

MISSION

Rainbow Griffins Rugby Football Club develops the sport of rugby for Torontonians regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, or any other obstacles they may face, by providing mixed-ability rugby programs and serving diversity, inclusion, and equity programs to the broader rugby community to reduce barriers and create a safer, inclusive sport for all.

VISION

To transform the sport of rugby in Canada to be fully inclusive, barrier-free, and safe for all Torontonians, especially for 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC and mixed ability players.

VALUES

We champion diversity, inclusion, and equity
We commit to fair play, and fun play
We offer safe and respectful places wherever we go

WATCHWORDS: Learn. Play. Grow.

Learn: Everyone has the right to learn rugby and community with us
Play: Everyone has the right to play and enjoy rugby safely
Grow: Everyone will be committed to fostering and championing player and community growth.

MEET THE TEAM

Angel Cameron
Treasurer
Angel Cameron

Treasurer

Angel Cameron is seasoned book keeper and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate. She’s well known as Mama BoBo the Mother of Church Street and she is also the mom of the legendary Drag Icon Scarlett BoBo.
David Donnachie
Director-at-Large
David Donnachie

Director-at-Large

Originally from Vancouver, currently in Toronto, and having lived in Mexico City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Montreal, David has a unique view of most things – personally & professionally – spanning his experiences in the cities & languages he has lived & worked. Currently the Account Director with MRM//McCANN managing the CRM business strategy for General Motors of Canada while holding the volunteer role of Chief Marketing & Media Officer with IGR International Gay Rugby – the world’s largest gay & inclusive sport organizing & governing body – David’s life pretty much revolves around automotive, rugby, his English Bull Terrier ‘Flanker’ & Rottweiler ‘Osa’, his more than 109 pairs of limited edition Converse Hi Tops (all of which are worn) - often with a preference to chit chat in Spanish.
Ian Royer
President/Co-Founder
Ian Royer

President/Co-Founder

Ian Royer is a marketing and public relations specialist, with over 13 years of experience in the field. He also has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and has worked in creating policy as a youth advisor to UNAIDS, a mentor to the Queen’s Young Leadership Awards for the Commonwealth, and more. He is also a tv/film executive and does considerable work in the Toronto Village in the drag scene.

While relatively new to rugby, Ian is the former President of Toronto Muddy York, and the Director at Large at Toronto Rugby, and in the last year has been an active voice to protect Trans Players in Canada, and to expand access for the LGBTQ+ community in Toronto Rugby.
Jamie Lourenco
Vice President
Jamie Lourenco

Vice President

Jamie Lourenco is a financial planning professional, musician and rugby enthusiast who developed a passion for the sport in 2021.

He is committed to the advancement of the sport for 2SLGBTQ community and other minorities and to having fun on the pitch.
Lori McCluskey
Director of Game/ Co-Founder
Lori McCluskey

Director of Game/ Co-Founder

From player to coach, Lori has been involved in the world of rugby for 15 years. Truly believing rugby is a sport for everybody, Lori is dedicated to providing opportunities for players to learn and grow within the sport of rugby, regardless of experience, gender identity, sexuality, race or socio/economic status. Rugby is truly the venue in which to find the best version of yourself, and Lori is excited to help leverage these opportunities and elevate players to reach their potential.
Marc Apduhan
Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Equity
Marc Apduhan

Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Equity

Marc (he/him) identifies as an immigrant, BIPOC, queer innovator with 10+ years of experience in global project management, strategic planning, creative design, and environmental engineering. As a holistic innovator and strategist, he is well-known for bringing concept-to-commercialization and connecting solutions and people to pain points. His roles include being the CEO of Renovo Creative, an environmental consulting and creative agency and Scrapless Exchange, a Vancouver-based food app. He is also the Innovation and Business Development Manager for Flash Forest, a drone reforestation company.

He has worked extensively in Canada, USA, Australia, Malaysia, and Chile for projects ranging from $10k to $10M including managing a global innovation incubator for 20+ cities, a strategic planning consultant for the University of British Columbia, Hemmera, Engineers Without Borders, collaborating with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland and the International Research of Excellence in Santiago, Chile.
Richard Yearwood
Director-at-Large
Richard Yearwood

Director-at-Large

Richard Yearwood is a British-Canadian actor, television host, director and producer, who is dedicated to the advancement of Diversity Inclusion and Equity in the Canadian Film and Sports landscapes.
Shoshauna Gauvin
Coach
Shoshauna Gauvin

Coach

Shoshauna Gauvin brings 19 years of Rugby experience as the Rainbow Griffins coach.

She began her rugby career in Nova Scotia before moving to Ontario where she played with the Kingston Panthers, Queens Gaels and more recently the Guelph Gryphons where they won the 2021 OUA Championship. She has also competed multiple times at USports Nationals. Shoshauna has also coached high school rugby and a military rugby team during her career.

Gauvin is also a Canadian Armed Forces veteran where served for 15 years and holds a Bachelors of Astrophysics from Saint Mary’s University, and has read for a Masters of Applied Physics from Queens University and a Masters of Leadership from University of Guelph.
Steven Lewis
Secretary / Co-Founder
Steven Lewis

Secretary / Co-Founder

Steven Lewis is a lawyer and accessibility specialist with a background in employment and litigation. He has received local and international awards for his work advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities and the LGBT+ community. As a former rower and track athlete, coming to Rugby as an adult, Steven is passionate about the value of sport in building community and individuals. In addition to the Rainbow Griffins, Steven is an active volunteer with many boards and organizations around the world.