For the first time since 2019, Rugby Manitoba sent teams to the Western Canadian Championships which were held in Kelowna this year and there was plenty of Parkland representation in a showcase of the best in the west.
William Miner, Lars Gudbjartson, Sully Fox, Emma Fox, Brook Miner, Chloe Fletcher, Joseph Lopez, Kyle Lunstead and Oliver Dandeneau all had the opportunity to suit it up.
Aaron Miner was coaching at the event and he says it's great to see so many Parkland players representing the province.
"This just shows that we're doing something right in the Parkland region," said Miner. "To have nine players try out and make Team Manitoba, our hard work is definitely paying off. It's special for the group."
Oliver Dandeneau and Joseph Lopez were both on the u18 team as was Kyle Lunsted. The trio helped the team down Team Saskatchewan, 7-0, in a great defensive battle. The boy's U16 team was made up of players from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it included Dauphin's Will Miner, Lars Gudbjartson, and Sully Fox.
The u18 girl's team consisted of Chloe Fletcher, Brook Miner, and Emma Fox. Since the tournament, Emma has since made her way to Niagara to play for Team Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games. They begin their action Monday.
Miner says despite the results not being what they would have hoped for, it was still a great week and the Parkland showed exactly what they are made of.
"They showed that they are a step ahead of other communities in the province, even Winnipeg," said Miner. "They also turned a few heads of national coaches, I was contacted a few times about players on the team. We put a lot of time and effort into our program and our players are doing everything they can to succeed."
Next up for Parkland rugby is their 2022 fall session beginning Monday, August 22. Running until October 2, the program will host practices on Mondays and Wednesdays and the schedule also includes four jamborees, September 11 in Minnedosa, September 18 in Dauphin, September 26 in Souris, and October 2 in Brandon. Five to nine-year-olds practice from 5 to 6 and the registration fee is $100 while those 10 to 13-years-old practice from 6 to 7 and the registration fee is $125. The younger group will be flag while the older group is tackle.
In other rugby in the Parkland, the Mavericks Rugby Club is on fire as of late. They've won their last two games, scoring 81 points in the process which includes a 26-0 shutout win this past weekend in Brandon.