Maria Samson

Dr. Araba “Roo” Chintoh has stepped down from the Rugby Canada Board of Directors. Dr. Chintoh, among many undertakings, is now a member of the Board of Own the Podium. Given this new commitment, Dr. Chintoh will focus her interests with this key Rugby Canada partner.

“Roo has been an excellent member of the Rugby Canada board and a huge advocate for our game,” said Tim Powers, Chair of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors. “We recognize the challenge of working both with Rugby Canada and our key funding partner Own the Podium. We will miss her, but won’t let her get too far away from rugby.”

When a Board member leaves during their term, the remaining directors have the ability to select a replacement. Dr. Chintoh will therefore be replaced on the Board with immediate effect by Maria Samson.

Maria Samson
Maria Samson

Samson was most recently the female players director on the Rugby Canada Board. She has been fully immersed in all of Rugby Canada’s current initiatives, and is well respected by her peers and the broad rugby community. She will serve out the remainder of Dr. Chintoh’s term until April, 2021.

“It is great to have Maria back on the Board,” stated Powers. “She is a prodigious worker and forceful advocate for organizational excellence.”