When the 2018 Western Canadian U18 Rugby Championships kick off next week in Winnipeg, Ste. Rose's Zane Brindle will be there.
He'll suit up for Team Manitoba.
"It's a really exciting feeling," said Brindle. "I'm really looking forward too it. We have a lot of good guys on the team, and some good friends. It's just really exciting to play rugby at this level."
To make the team, Zane had to be on top of his game at a regional tryout from July 11-12 in Regina, and that's exactly what he was.
"I think I did really well for sure," said Brindle. "I've been working extremely hard, and I think it showed."
Zane picked up rugby in high school, and since then, he's loved every minute of it.
"I just played it for fun, and I really fell in love with the sport," said Brindle. "I feel if you play it once, you'll kinda get hooked."
Now Zane and the rest of the Manitoba men will challenge the best U18 teams in all of Western Canada at the Championships, and he's feeling good heading in.
"I think we have a really strong team, and I think we can do well," he added. "Obviously every team is going to be really good, so we'll always have to be at our best. And, at the end of the day, even if we don't win... this tournament will definitely help all of us improve and gain valuable experience."
The Western Canadians for now, but Zane doesn't expect this to be the last big tournament he takes part in.
"Next year it would be great if I could make the U19 Blizzard team," said Brindle. "Then in the future, hopefully, I can play in some national competitions. I just want to play rugby for as long as I can, it's such a great game."
The Championships are August 9-12.
