Ottawa Aces hope to include Canadian players from the start

Drew Darbyshire

Ottawa Aces are already building their squad for the 2021 season.

Ottawa Aces founder Eric Perez says the club will include Canada-born players from the start.

The Canadian franchise will enter League 1 ahead of next season, with it being confirmed by the Rugby Football League on Monday.

Perez hopes to head off the criticism that has come Toronto’s way by striving to include Canada-born players from the start of their journey.

He said: “I think it’s important that we can actually develop our own players on both sides of the pond, in the UK and Canada.

“We would love to have Canadian players and we will try to seek out Canadian players, at least a couple.

“I will say this though, when the Toronto Raptors started in the NBA in 1995 they had no Canadian players and now they not only have Canadian players but players from Toronto littering the NBA with the second biggest nationality.

“Young people were inspired to play by the exploits of the professional team and that created an entire culture of player. These things take time.”

Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.

More on site

Everything you need to know about the Ottawa Aces

Mailbox: Noble no more – will Toronto go the same way as Crusaders?

Rugby League Today: Melbourne eye Mulhern, Frayssinous to coach Ottawa & Hardaker puts past behind him

Catalans game with Leeds at risk due to coronavirus