Toronto Arrows Mitch Richardson 2023 Profile

The Toronto Arrows re-signed Mitch Richardson for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 26-years-old center (27 in June) is 6’2″ and 215 lbs.

Mitch will enter his fifth season with the Arrows after playing in 26 matches, and starting 16 times since 2019. He has accrued 795 carry metres on 95 carries, 96 tackles, 13 tackle breaks, nine offloads, six linebreaks, and four tries over his four years with the club. He joined Melrose Rugby along with his teammate James O’Neill for the Fall, 2022.

In 2022, setting career highs in matches played (12), matches started (10), carry metres (563), completed tackles (54), tackle breaks (10), offloads (eight), and linebreaks (four).

He played 397 minutes in 8 matches, starting 5, and scored 2 tries for the Arrows in 2021. He also played with the Arrows XV against the Atlantic Selects at York Lions Stadium on October 16 in a 57-10 win, in which he scored a try. It was the first time in 867 days since 2019 that the Arrows played a home match.

He played 78 minutes in 4 matches, making 6 carries for 50 meters, during the pandemic shortened 2020 MLR season. In 2019 he played 99 minutes in 2 matches, starting once.

“The center has accrued 232 carry metres on 36 carries, 42 tackles, three tackle-breaks, two tries, two linebreaks, and one offload over his three years with the club.”

Mitch is from Stoney Creek, Ontario, and played hockey and rugby at Saltfleet High School. He won OFSAA gold, silver, and bronze medals in hockey.

Mitch played both representative soccer and hockey. He was offered a contract with the Junior B Ancaster Avalanche in hockey, but after a successful tryout for the Canada Under-20s, he turned to rugby.

He played for and was the captain of the Ontario Junior Blues in both 15s and 7s and played in the Canadian National Championships in 2014. He then played for the Ontario Blues in the Canadian Rugby Championship since 2015. In 2016 he played with the Canada Under-20s.

Mitch also attended McMaster University, majoring in Political Science and playing rugby for the Marauders. He was a three-time OUA All-Star, helped the team win a bronze medal at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship in 2017, and was selected to the Canadian Universities All-Stars.

In 2017 Mitch also played with the Ontario Arrows, playing under the Ontario Blues name, against the Glendale Raptors. He continued with the Arrows during the 2018 exhibition season and will do so again in 2019.

Mitch also played for James Bay Athletic Association against the Houston SaberCats in 2018. He played club rugby for the Stoney Creek Camels and Burlington Centaurs. In 2018 Mitch was selected to represent Canada A at the Americas Pacific Challenge and came through Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride national development academy program.

Toronto Arrows Comments

“I am super excited to sign back for the 2023 season,” said Richardson. “I love being able to represent this organization and to play in my home province not far from where I grew up.”

“I can’t wait to get back with the team to continue building on the goals we set in previous years and aim even higher. We want to achieve those results not only for the organization, ourselves, and each other but also for our amazing fanbase who supports us day in and day out. We are going to give our all.”

“Mitch has really brought his game along the last few years and had some breakout moments last season,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer, and General Manager. “We look forward to continuing working with him to get him all the way on his pathway to success.”