More than a club, a family
The Halifax Tars RFC is an amateur rugby union club based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a proud member of Rugby Nova Scotia and Rugby Canada.
The largest rugby club in Atlantic Canada
Founded in 1976, the Tars have grown considerably over the years, today fielding four senior men’s and women’s sides alongside our own mini and youth rugby contingent.
Our registration boasts well over 400 players, while our pool of alumni stretches far beyond Canadian borders, including players competing professionally and representing Canada internationally.
All our sides have had considerable success on the pitch, but the club prides itself most on fostering the sport in Halifax and Nova Scotia. Many of our members volunteer, coach or referee rugby at the high school, university, provincial, regional and national level.
Our membership is a diverse mix of people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world, much like the Tar sailors who first helped bring the game to Canada through the port of Halifax.
What the Tars stand for
Everyone plays
Men’s, women’s, junior and mini sides, plus social memberships for those whose boots are hung up. No matter the age, ability or background, the Tars have a place for you.
We compete
Sixteen McCurdy Cups, eight Caledonia Cups and two Wheaton Cups. Our top sides are a launch point for provincial, national and professional selection.
We give back
Tars coach, referee and volunteer across Nova Scotia rugby, and our minis programme introduces hundreds of Halifax kids to the game.
What is a Tar?
“Jack Tar” or “Tar” is a traditional nickname for the sailors of the Royal Navy. The Tars ruled the ocean waves, defeating the Spanish Armada and stopping Napoleon at Trafalgar, and were the proud forebears of our own Canadian Navy. They were the same sailors who brought the game of rugby to Canadian shores.
Though the term originally applied only to the men who worked the highest reaches of the rigging, over time it came to mean all deep-water sailors. They used tarpaulin (canvas permeated with tar) to seal deck hatches and make windproof clothes, slathered tar on the rigging to protect it from the elements, and even on their long hair to keep it out of the ropes. The large square collar on a sailor suit protected the uniform from the tar in their hair.
Our club colours of white, blue and black are the white uniforms the Tars wore, their blue collars, and the black tar that stained their otherwise neat appearance.
The Tar was known for an easy-going character in good times and bad. They loved a laugh, were the life of the party and, when not being consummate professionals, had an affinity for all types of drink. Rank, gender, race or creed did not matter to the Tar: they would take the piss out of anyone, including themselves. Used to long stretches away from home and daily reminders of their own mortality, they were known for indomitable spirits and unmatched courage.
Those are the qualities we pride ourselves on embodying as the Tars Rugby Football Club. Our current and past players have been as persistent in achieving their aspirations as they’ve been rambunctious in celebrating them.
Club executive
The Tars are run entirely by volunteers. An elected executive council runs the club day to day, with positions elected at the AGM where every paid member has a vote.
2026 Executive council
Want to help run the club? Executive roles are elected annually at the AGM, so get in touch to learn more.
Join the Tars family
Come out to a training session, meet the squad and see what the club is about. All are welcome.