It was Parkland strong over the weekend in Edmonton as the Alberta Rugby Championships took place.

Team Manitoba sent a U18 girls team and it featured nine girls from Dauphin, six of which played in the event. The group includes Tanya Devos, Allee Hrechka, Sage Marohn, Emma Fox, Raylyn Koshowski, Megan Thompson, Chloe Fletcher, and Brooke Miner.

Shawn Sarkonak is the team's head coach and he brings it back to what is happening right here in the Parkland.

"It's a testament to the grassroots program and what Parkland Youth Rugby has created over the last eight-plus years," said Sarkonak. "Rugby in the Parkland has come a long ways over the years and there are many great people that have been a big reason why."

The roster also included Mai Maguet of Ste. Rose, Elijah Chartrand of Swan River, Bree Walker of Ste. Rose, and Anika Sakal of Swan River. After the team dropped their first two games on day one, they flipped the script.

The Manitoba girls' came out and played two great games, winning both and their second win gave them the right to call themselves bronze medalists. The team finished third out of six teams.

"I'm pretty proud for a team that hasn't really played together, to come together within four games and have a great showing," ended Sarkonak. "It was great to watch them grow every single game and winning those two games was great for the program."

The program will now focus on preparing for the Western Canadian Rugby Championships which are set to take place during the August Long Weekend in Calgary. Ahead of that, Manitoba will play the U18 team from Saskatchewan in a pair of games, one will be played in Dauphin on Saturday, July 22. They will also hold a few team sessions in order to finalize their final roster for the event.