The Toronto Saracens RFC was established during the early 1950′s. It was formed from the sum of players branching out from the Toronto Irish, Nomads and Barbarians. All of those clubs had an overabundance of players at that time. Back then, the rugby games were played at High Park. After the games the team would visit the various local pubs in and around the area. It was there, in one of those establishments (not too sure which one), that the Toronto Saracens Rugby Football Club was conceived.
The Toronto Saracens was initially formed in 1953, but formally established in 1954. Since then, the Saracens have won the Carling Cup twice (1959 and 1977), the Pony Bowl (1982) and the Old Vienna Cup (Marshall Trophy) (1983). We are one of the original investors in the “Home of Ontario Rugby” Fletcher’s Fields.
Steve Townend
Kevin Leung
Gord Morgon
Abdel Emaadawi
Giorgi Sharabidze
Fred Burton
Andy Wright
Ethan Casemore
Joe Bettelli
Niloy Chowdhury
Brian Smith
James Lozinski
Sheldon Persad
Ian Custadillo
Charlotte Hoskins
Head Coach, Director of Rugby Operations
Sheldon’s first coaching job in 1986 motivated him to develop as a professional coach. He is an NCCP certified coach in several sports, has helped to develop NCCP coaching courses, and previously taught Level 4 / 5. Specific to rugby, he has coached at the high school, university, and club levels. Additionally, he was the assistant coach for the Toronto Xtreme during the early days of the Canadian Rugby League. Currently, he serves as the Chair for Rugby Ontario’s Coach Development Committee.
Sheldon is also the co-owner of Personal Best Health & Performance Inc. (PB), with an extensive list of domestic and international fortune 100 companies, and individual clients. He is a certified Stress Management Consultant and a Certified High-Performance Sport Scientist Leader within the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. In addition to working with athletes at the developmental level, he has worked with athletes at the world championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan-American Games, and the Olympics (summer and winter) from over two dozen different sports.
He was the co-founder of the Certified Professional Trainers Network, was the inaugural President of the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association, is a published author and an award-winning conference presenter. Sheldon has also been a key contributor to the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario for over 25 years as a sport scientist, a business strategist and mentor.
Sheldon’s leadership and experience have been instrumental in the Toronto Saracens rebuild.
Associate Coach
Drew has been coaching rugby in Ontario since 1992 when he became head coach of a local club’s men’s 1st team while concurrently being a player. Over the years, he has coached at the developmental and elite levels of rugby, including coaching Ontario U17 team, and Team Ontario during the Canada Summer Games.
As a coach he has won multiple Ontario League premier division titles and won the McCormik Cup (Ontario’s highest club championship) as a coach in 2007. He has served as a coach mentor, assessor, and was awarded Rugby Ontario’s coach of the year award twice, in 2003 and 2006.
As a teacher and coach Drew has been instrumental in the development of several high school programs for boys and girls, and he continues to support the development of rugby at the grassroots level.
The Toronto Saracens are benefiting greatly from Drew’s knowledge and experience.
Assistant Coach
Mike has built an impressive career as a rugby coach, marked by his unwavering dedication to developing athletes and promoting the sport across Canada and beyond.
His coaching journey began with the Toronto Welsh RFC in 1990/91, where he served as Junior Development Officer and Juniors Coach, earning the Peter Hughes Most Valuable Club Member Award for his outstanding commitment. He then continued his coaching success as the Head Coach at York Mills C.I., guiding young athletes with passion and leadership.
One of Michael’s most notable achievements came during his tenure as Head Coach of the Hamilton Hornets RFC Men’s 1st Team, where he led the team to a championship victory, elevating them to the NRU First Division for the following season. He went on to make a significant impact as the Head Coach of the Markham RFC Men’s 1st Team and served as Co-Coach of the TRU U20s. His commitment to youth development continued when he founded the Varsity Rugby Team at Bayview Glen Private School. Most recently, he has been shaping future athletes as the Head Coach of the St Michael’s College School Junior Rugby Team.
Beyond rugby, Michael has also been a professional hockey coach and junior hockey coach, showcasing his versatile coaching abilities. In recognition of his significant contributions to sports throughout Canada, Michael was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Above all, Michael is a proud father of three wonderful children and a devoted husband to his beautiful wife.
Fletcher’s Fields is an integral part of the Toronto Saracens’ history. As one of the original investors in Fletcher’s Fields, the club contributed significantly to the development of this iconic venue, which served as the “Home of Ontario Rugby.” Since its opening in 1966, the facility hosted numerous national and international matches, including Canada test matches against Argentina, England, Ireland, Japan, USA, and Wales. Fletcher’s Fields also became home to numerous competitive rugby clubs, fostering the growth of rugby across Ontario. After nearly six decades as a cherished hub for rugby in Ontario, Fletcher’s Fields closed its doors in 2024, marking the end of an era for the community it brought together.
Fletcher’s Fields was more than just a rugby venue—it was a gathering place for a community brought together by their love of the game. A group of dedicated rugby enthusiasts convinced five clubs and Rugby Ontario to come together and create a hub that embodied the core values of rugby: camaraderie, friendship, and mutual respect. It was a place where teams shared not just competition, but moments of connection—with people from all walks of life forming lifelong bonds on and off the field. For many families, it was a second home, where kids grew up with the fields as their weekend playground, running on the sidelines, and watching their parents compete until they were old enough to join the game themselves.
As much as it’s sad to see Fletcher’s go, its legacy endures as a reminder of what rugby stands for: a sense of belonging, inclusion, and community. When rugby players pull together, we can accomplish anything. That spirit lives on in every match, every shared drink after a game, and every story told about Fletcher’s. Although we no longer play at Fletcher’s Fields, its legacy remains deeply rooted in our club’s identity as we carry its spirit forward into new chapters. It’s not just about the beer (okay, maybe one), but about what it represents: play hard on the field and five minutes later, sit down and share a moment. That’s what makes rugby special.
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