Job Opportunity – Sport for All Sessional Coaches

Rugby is seeking energetic, organized and collaborative people to join their team on behalf of Rugby Canada who is supporting the financial means for this position through Sport Canada.

The position requires great organization, communication and problem solving skills. Prior experience organizing sporting programs is ideal.

Reporting to Saskatchewan Rugby’s Development Officer, the position is a Part Time (9 hours per week) seasonal position running from March 2024 to July 2024. The YDO/Sessional Coach  will be expected to work approximately 10 hours per week although workload may vary.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL JOB POSTING:

Sport for All – Sessional Coaches Ad

David Jukes | 2023 Sports Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Moose Jaw’s David Jukes who has been inducted into the Moose Jaw and Districts Sports Hall of Fame for 2023.

From 1970 to 2010, Jukes established himself as a premier rugby player, coach, and administrator. David was named to the Saskatchewan provincial team from 1974-1987 and in 1980 he was named to the National team as an alternate.

Administratively, Jukes has spent countless hours supporting the community rugby program at the Barry MacDonald Rugby Field. He has been an executive member of both the Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan Rugby boards and has an award named after him: The Dave Jukes Award, for most outstanding junior forward.

Please join us in congratulating David Jukes on this great accomplishment.

2023 Western Championships

Saskatchewan Rugby sent three teams to compete at the annual Western Championships in Calgary, Alberta from August 4-6th 2023. Our three teams competed against many other great teams from across Canada, fought hard and learned a lot on and off the pitch.

The U16 Girls team included athletes from Manitoba and Saskatchewan and was composed of: Chloe Flanagan, Rayne Youngblut, Zara Wilson, Ginger Newstead, Cyan Beeching, Abigail Hall, Kaia Nolan, Katryna Mattern, Molly Watson, Aubrey Perillat, Rayan Abdelkerim, Sarah Murphy, Tatumn Milligan, Kieran Milligan, Keeley McMaster, Felicity Sahulka (MB), Paityn Bourgouin (MB), Bella Reid, Ava Page (MB), Adeline Dunwoody (MB), Kayel LaBelle (MB), Austyn LaBelle (MB), Samidhri Galhenage, and Kendra McEwing.

The U18 Girls team was made up of Saskatchewan and Alberta athletes named: Kathrina Klassen, Emma Dziurzynski, Kianna Gonie, Nessa Ross, Kendra Brown, Jessica Perepelitza, Emry Marchand, Shaylee Haftner-Lett, Tayler Parkinson, Erika Jimenez, Emilie Gatin, Hailey Temple, Josephine Tolentino, Raelyn Reinson, Mikayla Hamel-Sronchenski, Ella Rondeau, Nevada Weisbrod, Chloe Hedges (AB), Anela Murrel-Hebert (AB), Julia Michalczyk (AB), Larissa Atamanchuk (AB), Cass Steel (AB), Katie Share (AB), and Kiana Bryne.

 

The U18 Boys team saw one British-Columbia athlete join the Saskatchewan roster composed of: Jonah Lopez, Jaru Steyl, Hunter Burant, Owen Watson, Moe Norsten, Nolan Hall, Ayden Scrimbitt, Kaden McCarthy, Bryn Rondeau, Jaxon Rondeau, Cameron Neudrof, Carter Speidel, Chance Rivers, Steven Stadnyk, Finn Grahame-King, Walker Millbury, Mason Topley, Matthew Tysiaczny, Iain Anderton-Teasdale (BC), Erik De Necker, AJ De Necker, Sam Wagner, Austin Kemp, and Ray Monks.

Junior Rugby in Sask

After losing out on 2 seasons of summer rugby programs due to COVID-19, Saskatchewan’s junior rugby players have been busy catching up this summer. A number of junior programs and events brought our players back to the pitch, including training with local senior clubs. 

These activities wouldn’t have been possible without the support of community coaches, managers, organisers, and players, and the Sask Rugby High Performance Committee who continue to drive rugby’s progress in the province. Your sport thanks you. 

NORTH VS SOUTH

Organised by a group of women’s coaches, junior girls will be taking the pitch in Saskatoon on August 21 and Regina on August 28 for some North vs South 15s exhibition games. Each day will consist of 2 games with 20 minute halves, and team lunch in between. Good luck ladies!

U18 BOYS CANADA CAMP

Sask Rugby is hosting a U18 Boys Canada camp August 21-22 in Regina for invited athletes. Out of those selected a number of Saskatchewan athletes will have their shot at a tour with the national team in December 2021 to January 2022. Good luck boys!

CANADA SUMMER GAMES TEAM TRAINING

Initially planned for 2021, the  Niagara Canada Summer Games were rescheduled for August of 2022 due to COVID-19. Team Sask started its training with coaches Kayla Mack-Thiel and Gillian Allen in June of 2021. Any U18 girls interested in participating can learn more here: www.saskrugby.com/canadagames

RUGBY ID COMBINE

Organised by the Sask Rugby High Performance Committee, Sask’s first ever Rugby ID Combine took place in July 2021, open to all athletes interested in developing in sport. The all-day session in Regina brought in over 30 athletes and tons of talent.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Regina Minor Rugby

Formerly Regina Mini Rugby, Regina Minor has expanded in recent years to include players ages 15 to 18. After getting cancelled in 2020, the program returned in full force August of 2021 and plans to run until October. One of the longest standing community rugby programs in Saskatchewan, RMR is an excellent option for juniors looking to get into the game or develop in a fun environment.

RMR still delivers Minis for its 4-14 ages and the kids love it.

MacDowell Prairie Academy

The Prairie Academy was one of the only training opportunities for juniors during 2020, running sessions whenever possible. The program restarted in May of 2021 and is slated to return for fall sessions in September.  The academy focuses on developing high performance rugby athletes but is open to all ages and skill levels.

NSRU Minor Rugby

Formerly Saskatoon Mini Rugby, the NSRU came together to deliver minor and junior rugby sessions in Saskatoon at the beginning of June 2021. The junior side of the program brought a number of North juniors back to the field and helped in reconnecting them with senior clubs.

Saskatchewan 2020/2021 Gilbert Champions

8 Saskatchewan athletes, Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK), Elle Douglas (Saskatoon, SK), Molly Watson (Avonlea, SK), Laney Aikens (Briercrest, SK), Brett Kannenberg (Lumsden, SK), Madisyn Pluhowy (Regina, SK), Matt Klimchuk (Regina, SK) and Owen Watson (Avonlea, SK), were named Gilbert Champions in the 2020 Gilbert Champions program. These players received a Gilbert training kit and the opportunity to promote and mentor the growth of rugby in their communities with Gilbert Canada. Senft and Douglas will also be working with and mentored by the incredible team of 2020 ELITE GILBERT CHAMPIONS: Kayla Moleschi, Josiah Morra, Britt Benn and Jake Thiel – ALL members of the Rugby Canada team, and passionate advocates for how rugby has provided incredible life experiences both on and off the pitch.

Gabrielle Senft started as a high school player in Saskatchewan and quickly gained a reputation in the sport for her athleticism, talent, and tenacity. Senft has now played both 15s and 7s across Canada in British Columbia and across the world in Australia and England, all while being a force to be reckoned with on the Canadian National Team. In her Gilbert Canada profile, Senft reflects on the value of community in rugby: “Most importantly the community that rugby holds is something that has really drawn me to continue playing rugby all over the world”. 

Elle Douglas started as a mini player in the Saskatoon Mini Rugby program and has since played for the Saskatoon Sirens, North Sask Wolverines, and Team Saskatchewan. You might recognize her from Sask Rugby’s 2016 #ChampionHer video. In her Gilbert Canada profile, Douglas recalls this experience as an inspiration for her rugby dreams: “A big role model for me would be Kayla Mack. I first met her when I was 11 years old and I was doing an interview for women’s rugby. I remember being super excited to meet somebody who had played for Canada and was from Saskatchewan. She gave me a signed Canada warmup jersey from her playing days. I was so starstruck! Kayla really inspired me to pursue my dreams!”. 

Molly Watson started as a mini rugby player with Regina Minor Rugby, and has been apart of the Macdowell Rugby Academy and has continued with these programs. In her Gilbert Canada profile Watson expresses her interest in the sport: “I like all the different skills you can do and learn! I like that it can be challenging and I can be competitive when I play”.

Laney Aikens is currently playing rugby for the national senior women’s 7s team and has helped coach at the Macdowell Rugby Academy in Saskatchewan. In her Gilbert Canada profile Aikens explains why she loves rugby: “I love the aggression that comes along with rugby. Ever since I was a small child I have always had so much grit and now that there is a sport where I can use my aggressiveness as an asset, it makes for more success”.

Brett Kannenberg is the head coach at Macdowell Rugby Academy in Saskatchewan. His Gilbert Canada profile explains that he enjoys the sport of rugby because “[e]veryone has a place… [t]he inclusiveness of the sport makes it possible to be invilved at all age levels, abilities, desired competition, not to mention it is global”.

Madisyn Pluhowy started playing on the provincial team in 2019 and is currently playing senior rugby with the Lady Condors in Regina. In her  Gilbert Canada profile Madisyn expresses her love for the sport and the community: “I love the community that surrounds rugby as a whole. After losing a great deal of weight one of my friends mentioned rugby and I’ve never looked back. Rugby has revealed true friends that have supported me in the continuation of my weight loss journey and overall in life. I’m forever thankful for being included and excepted in such a tight nit community that rugby brought to me”.

Matt Klimchuk started playing rugby in high school and has since played senior rugby and in the U.S.. In his Gilbert Canada profile Klimchuk shows his admiration for the sport: “I love not only the immense culture behind the sport, but also the dynamics of the game. To me, a rugby player is not only a prime example of a incredible athlete, but also a person of strong character and work ethic. To me rugby Is the ultimate sport”.

Owen Watson has played both high school and provincial rugby, with a bright future ahead of him. In his Gilbert Canada profile Watson shared why he loves rugby: “I love the fact that Rugby has provided me with opportunities to travel to Florida to play in the Tropical 7s last April and play in the LA 7s tournament this past March. I love how much fun I have playing and learning new skills and meeting new people. I love the fact that I am not a very big kid but there is a position for me to play in a sport that I love!”.

Coast to Coast Rugby Coaching Conference

Sask Rugby is proud to partner with our other provincial unions to provide the Coast to Coast Connecting the Country: Rugby Conference running virtually March 27th to 29th, 2021. The Coast to Coast Coaching Conference will target the existing rugby coach community in Canada, including those coaching at clubs, schools, universities, and high performance environments. The full speaker list and poster and available below.

The conference will take participants through a ‘week in rugby’, where they will interact with experienced community and professional coaches, academics, and those with lived experience in sport. It will serve as an opportunity for participants to listen to and interact with local and international experts at the heart of developing sport. Conference registration is $35, with each registration fee including a $5 donation to the Monty Heald Women’s National Fund

Anyone who registered as a rugby coach in Saskatchewan in 2019 or 2020 is eligible to have their registration fees covered by Sask Rugby. Contact memberservices@saskrugby.com for details on this program.

Register here!

2020 Sask Rugby Raffle Winner

Thank you to everyone who supported Sask Rugby’s 3rd annual youth rugby fundraiser! In total there were 462 tickets sold and $1,110.00 raised, making this our largest 50/50 raffle to date. 

Sask Rugby would like to congratulate Jared Goosen, winner of half of the pot for a prize of $555.

Thank you again to everyone who bought tickets and shared the raffle, keep your eyes out for our 2021 raffle announcement coming soon!

High School Championship

AGM is Scheduled For March 24th at 12p.m.

The Annual General Meeting will take place via web conference on March 24th, 2018 at 12pm. 

Club delegates have been sent log in details.  Speak to your club president to get access.