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Phil Mack has been voted the Canadian Sevens Player of the Year by Canadian Rugby Foundation.

A total of 1,188  rugby fans, coaches and fellow players from across the country cast their votes. The Maple Leafs playmaker also won the same accolade back in 2007 for his contribution to the national sevens program.

Mack recently captained Canada to the Commonwealth Games where the squad finished in tenth position under new coach Geraint John.

The 2009-10 IRB Sevens World Series saw Mack captain the Canadian squad on their tours to New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, London and Edinburgh. Despite the fact that Canada only competed in five of eight legs on the circuit, Mack finished the season 22nd in total points scored with a total of 125 to his credit.

The past season was highlighted by Canada’s Bowl victory in Hong Kong, when Mack led the squad to a 35-19 victory over reigning World Cup champions Wales.

Under Mack’s leadership, Canada finished 11th in the World Series, ranking higher than core members who competed in all eight legs of the competition.

At just 24 years of age, Mack is now ranked 19th in all-time Sevens World Series scoring with a tally of 591 points.

“It is a great honour to be named player of the year when looking at all the great players that have been a part of the squad throughout the 2009-10 season,” Mack said. “Thank you to everyone that voted, not only for me, but for anyone on the team. It’s awesome to see how much support we have out there.”

Previous award winners include Marco DiGirolamo (2004), Matt King (2005) and David Moonlight (2006.) with the award was not presented in 2008 or 2009.

Extra funding for rugby

Rugby Canada will also be part of the $6-million boost from the federal government who are aiming to change the country’s Olympic fortunes.

Basketball, volleyball, field hockey, water polo will benefit from the new funding, part of a five-year commitment confirmed Tuesday by Minister of State Gary Lunn during the Team Sport Summit in Ottawa.
Much of the funding will focus on the women's game with a team now due to be sent to the Hong Kong Sevens tournament next March.

"Two-thirds of that money is focused on developing a better structure for women's rugby and enhancing the women's rugby platform," said Rugby Canada CEO Graham Brown.

"We look at rugby as a combined sport, we don't believe you can develop sevens without 15s, but the reality is you need to have more sevens tournaments to give the athletes a better opportunity.