History
The IRB is investing $CAN3.12 million over a three-year period to establish the competition as part of the "Tier 2 initiative", which aims to promote rugby in countries where the sport is less popular. The tournament was created to provide an elite level of rugby below the international level for both Canada and the United States. The IRB and representatives from both Rugby Canada and USA Rugby held meetings during September 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts to finalise the inaugural tournament.
The 2006 competition was held in both British Columbia and Columbus, Ohio. British Columbia hosted the first leg in May, 2006, and Ohio hosted the return leg two months later, in July.
In the future, it is hoped that the competition will eventually introduce professional rugby to North America. It is proposed that by 2008, cities and private owners will take ownership of the franchises. It is also proposed that the competition will expand to six teams, and then eight. Two teams are most likely to be added in 2008, most likely one each from Canada and the USA.
Read more about this topic: North America 4
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