The renowned Canadian band, The Tragically Hip, has teamed up to provide support for the Canadian women’s rugby team in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in England. The band has introduced a special limited-edition T-shirt, with all proceeds directed towards backing the Canadian women, ranked second globally.
In a statement, the band expressed admiration for the team, describing them as a true representation of Canadian values such as passion, humility, and resilience. They emphasized the significance of rallying the entire nation behind the team, highlighting it as an inspiring but often overlooked story in the country.
The T-shirt, priced at $45, features a black design with The Hip logo and the tagline ‘Since 1984’ integrated into Rugby Canada’s signature red shield. Rugby Canada’s CEO, Nathan Bombrys, emphasized the symbolism of the T-shirt, stating that it signifies belief in the team and showcases pride in supporting Canada. The endorsement from The Tragically Hip, a celebrated Canadian band, is seen as a powerful show of support for the rugby players, resonating with fans nationwide.
Compared to top-ranked teams like England, New Zealand, and France, the Canadian women’s team operates on a significantly smaller budget. To bridge this funding gap, Rugby Canada initiated the “Mission: Win Rugby World Cup” fundraising campaign earlier this year, aiming to raise $1 million. The campaign has already achieved over 88% of its target, with the funds being utilized to bolster the team’s preparations for the tournament.
The Canadian women are gearing up for their final World Cup warm-up match against Ireland in Belfast this Saturday. Their Group B fixtures include matches against Fiji on August 23 in York, Wales on August 30 in Manchester, and Scotland on September 6 in Exeter at the expanded 16-team tournament.
At the previous World Cup, the Canadian women secured a fourth-place finish, with their best performance being the runner-up position to England in 2014. The upcoming World Cup presents another opportunity for the team to showcase their talent and determination on the global stage.