Paddy O’Gorman is on a mission to revitalize the rugby community in BC – right here in Burnaby.

The real estate agent and former Burnaby Lake Rugby Club coach is in the midst of telling the city about his plans to bring a Major League Rugby team to Swangard Stadium.

Professional rugby league is based in the United States, with 12 American teams currently competing.

The Toronto team is closing in December 2023 following the death of its primary investor, O’Gorman said.

“It’s really important for Canadian rugby to get a team somewhere in the country and the logical place to do that is obviously Vancouver.”

He noted that approximately 80,000 people attended the Rugby Sevens tournament held in Vancouver in one weekend before the pandemic.

“This shows that there are a lot of people interested in rugby,” he said.

The Burnaby-based team (working names include SwansRugby and Vancouver Swans (developed independently of the stadium)) used the facility for 10 to 12 home matches approximately every two weeks between February and June.

O’Gorman said it would be an ideal match, noting that the stadium is rarely used between February and April.

He said Swangard was an “absolutely magnificent” stadium, but needed some (already planned) updates.

“This is a real gem that is still not being used as it should be.”

He said Swangard is centrally located and close to public transportation.

O’Gorman said he understands the city wants to keep the facility accessible to local community users.

“That’s who we are – there’s a big rugby community in Burnaby,” he said.

He plans to run youth and high school programs associated with the rugby club, as well as provide training for boys and girls rugby programs.

In addition to paying for the use of the field, O’Gorman said his group is also interested in other existing facilities in Burnaby to train and house players, support staff, visiting teams and fans in local hotels and accommodations.

O’Gorman’s, on the other hand, thinks match days are planned as community events.

He cited New England MLR team Free Jacks as an example, saying that game days start at 10 a.m. and that there are tournaments for kids, food trucks, beer gardens, bouncy castles and themed games.

Bands play live concerts, and after the game, players come out onto the pitch to mingle with fans.

All-day tickets for Free Jacks games cost around $50.

O’Gorman is in talks with the City of Burnaby, which owns Swangard, to form a partnership and review next steps.

O’Gorman said the MLR team would be an excuse to rebuild the rugby community in BC and inspire young athletes.

“That’s our goal, 90 percent community-based, 10 percent MLR team.”