Arrows Announce Return of Prop Grindal
October 6, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce that prop Connor Grindal has re-signed with the club for the 2024 Major League Rugby season.
Grindal, 25, is returning to the Arrows for a second campaign after featuring in seven matches (four starts) across his first MLR season.
"I'm really excited to be back with the Arrows for the upcoming season," said Grindal. "I developed a lot playing and training at this level and I couldn't have done it without the help from the players and staff at the club. I'm looking forward to carrying over that experience and building towards a better 2024 season."
"We have a great group of players here at the Arrows, and the support from the fans is amazing. I can't wait to be back."
The five-foot-eleven, 240-pound forward posted 91 carry metres on 20 carries, 125 ruck arrivals, 70 tackles, three breakdown steals and an offload in his first professional season in North America.
Back in his hometown of Sydney, Australia, Grindal has spent the past two seasons with the Gordon Highlanders. The prop joined the Highlanders in 2022 following five years of coming up through the ranks at Sydney University, and returned to the North Shore of Sydney at the end of the Arrows' 2023 campaign.
Following the 2023 season with Gordon, he travelled to Scotland for a development stint with Melrose Rugby Club. Grindal will remain with Melrose for the initial stages of the Scottish National League 1 season before rejoining the Arrows in Toronto in time for the start of 2024 preseason activities.
Grindal is designated as a domestic player through his Canadian eligibility, as his mother and father hail from Montreal and Toronto, respectively.
The London, England-born, Sydney-raised prop first picked up the sport as a teenager and quickly established himself as a formidable high school athlete, eventually earning a spot on the New South Wales Schoolboys side in 2016.
"We're excited to have Connor back for the upcoming year," said Tim Matthews, Toronto Arrows Vice President and General Manager. "As the 2023 season went on, you could see his confidence and assuredness grow. He took the opportunities he was given, performed well, and finished year with a lot of momentum."
"His time in Scotland with our club partners at Melrose will only add to his development, and we know he'll be eager to hit the ground running in 2024."
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2024 season preparations continue to build.
Major League Rugby Stories from October 6, 2023
- Chicago Hounds Form Senior Academy - Chicago Hounds
- Arrows Trio Set for Melrose Developmental Loans - Toronto Arrows
- Arrows Announce Return of Prop Grindal - Toronto Arrows
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