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.

Call For Provincial Team Coaches & Athletes

Provincial Coaches:

We are currently seeking individuals for the position of Head Coach and Manager for our summer 15s Provincial Team Program. Our intent is to run both U16 and U18 Girls and Boys programs at the following summer events.

June 30 – July 2: Alberta Regional Championships (ARC) in Edmonton

July 8: Game vs Manitoba in Brandon

July 15: Game vs Manitoba in TBD location

August 3 – 7: Western Canadian Rugby Championships in Calgary

Please follow this link to the online application. This form will add you to the pool of candidates used to select the coach and manager roles for our regional and provincial team programs. The High Performance Committee will review all the applications and, based on the teams and programs running each season, contact you with further details.

https://saskrugby.wufoo.com/forms/x1uztt8q1jy2b1t/

Provincial Athletes:

We are currently seeking the interest of players for the 2023 U16/U18 Saskatchewan 15s Rugby program. The Sask 15s will be headed to Calgary, Alberta from August 3-7 for the Western Canadian Championships. Local training dates across the province leading up to the tournament are listed below. Athletes selected to the team will participate in Regional and Provincial competitions and can be invited to participate in Rugby Canada’s age grade National Teams that are being relaunched this year after a hiatus due to Covid-19.

All the information and the online player sign up form can be found here: https://www.saskrugby.com/teamsask/

Competition & Dates for Team Sask are as follows:

June 30 – July 2: Alberta Regional Championships (ARC) in Edmonton

July 8: Game vs Manitoba in Brandon

July 15: Game vs Manitoba in TBD location

August 3 – 7: Western Canadian Rugby Championships in Calgary

Training Dates for South and North Regional Training are as follows:

South

Date: Every Wednesday & Sunday (Time TBD) Starting May 24th

Location: Regina Rugby Club

Description: Regular scheduled practice for team Saskatchewan athletes located in the Southern part of the province (Open to all athletes who wish to come)

North

Date: Every Wednesday & Sunday (Time TBD) Starting May 24th

Location: Time and place may vary

Description: Regular scheduled practice for team Saskatchewan athletes located in the Norther part of the province. Full list of training times and locations can be found at the following link, scroll down to Jr. Program: https://nsru.ca/minor-rugby/

Centralized Training Camp weekend before ARC Tournament – June 24

For any questions, please contact the following people in your region:

South Saskatchewan – Jordan Astrope

Phone: 306 780-9353

Email: jastrope@saskrugby.com

North Saskatchewan – Andrew Shaw

Phone: 306 261-7196

Email: rdo@saskrugby.com

 

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.

CANADA SUMMER GAMES

CANADA SUMMER GAMES

August 6-21, 2022, Brock University will host the Rugby Sevens leg of the Canada Summer Games. This will be the inaugural Rugby Sevens competition for the Canada Summer Games and the first-ever appearance of women’s rugby in the Games. Following a COVID-19 delay, Team Saskatchewan will be begin recruiting and training for this competition starting in June 2021. 

RUGBY IN THE GAMES

Rugby Sevens will be among 18 sports featured at the Games, taking place the summer of 2022 in Ontario’s Niagra Region. Consisting of more than 5,000 athletes and coaches, the 2022 Canada Games will welcome our nation’s next generation of national, international, and Olympic champions as the best young developing athletes from across the nation assemble to compete in Canada’s largest multi-sport event.
 
One of the oldest sports to be featured at the Niagara 2022 Games, Rugby Sevens has exploded in recent years, partly due to the success of the national Canadian women’s team. Men’s rugby first joined the Canada Summer Games program for back to back Games in 1981 and 1985, and after sitting out the 1989 Games, returned from 1993-2009. This will be the inaugural Rugby Sevens competition for the Canada Summer Games and the first-ever appearance of women’s rugby in the Games.

CSG Week 1

August 6-13, 2022

Niagara, ON

Brock University
Alumni Field (St. Catharines)

PLAYERS AND PARENTS

Sask Rugby will start recruiting athletes for the Canada Summer Games in 2021 and finalize the team prior to the 2022 competition date. All junior girls (age 18 and under) are invited to training sessions.
Eligible Athletes: Girls born 2004 or later (or an overage athlete, born 2003), registered to play rugby in Saskatchewan

TRAINING

The team will be training in Saskatoon and Regina up until the games. Updates to the schedule will be posted here.

We also encourage all athletes to check out the other rugby happening this season:

June-September: Regina and Saskatoon Club Rugby

TBA, Edmonton: U18 Boys and Girls 7s Western Championships

TBA: U16/U18 Boys and Girls 15s Western Championships 

COST & Registration

All training will be free to attend but all participants must be registered with Rugby Canada for insurance. Once you are registered, complete the form below.

The cost of travel to the Games will be discussed with selected athletes and subsidized by Sask Rugby and through fundraising.

For already registered rugby players: 

Make sure you are registered for contact rugby in the 2021 season and complete the registration form below. Include your Member ID number from your account. 

For new rugby players: 

1. Go to the Rugby Canada Registration page (link below)

2. Select Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Rugby Club

3. Choose your membership and register

Team Sask Junior Athlete, $75 for the whole season

Junior Athlete Training Registration, $45 for one weekend training session (cost of this registration can be put towards a whole season membership)

4. Complete the form below with your new Member ID number

FORMS & INFORMATION

Coaches:
Kayla Mack-Thiel and
Gillian Allen

Fill out my online form.

Team Staff Application

TEAM SASK COACHES & STAFF

Volunteers are essential to our representative rugby programs as coaches, managers,  medical and support staff. Our regional and provincial rep rugby teams provide sport opportunities for the next generation and build up our rugby community. 

Individuals can volunteer to lead programs as a head coach or support at training and competitions as assistant coaches and team managers. Click the links below to learn more about each role, complete safety requirements, and join a team.

THANK YOU!

2023 SEASON

Events 

Alberta Regional Championships (ARC): U16, and U18 divisions
Hosted in Edmonton, AB on June 30-July 2, 2023

Game vs. Manitoba: U16 and U18
Hosted in Brandon, MB on July 8, 2023

Game vs. Manitoba: U16 and U18
Hosted in TBD (Likely Yorkton, SK) on July 15, 2023

Western Canadian Rugby Championships: U16 and U18 Girls divisions
Hosted in Calgary, AB on August 3-6, 2023

JOIN THE TEAM

Fill out my online form.

RECAP: U18 Westerns in Regina

Another Year Of U18 Is In The Books

Men’s and women’s teams from Alberta, Manitoba, BC and Saskatchewan were in Regina to compete in the U18 Western Championships of the August long weekend. 

On the men’s side, BC18 took gold with a 19-5 victory over Alberta Black. Meanwhile in an all-Alberta final on the women’s side, Alberta Black defeated Alberta White 27-12 to claim the top spot.

Bronze medals were awarded to Alberta White for their 12-5 victory over BC17 in men’s action, and women’s action saw BC18 shutout their fellow BC17 team 22-0.

Thanks to all of our volunteers and our sponsors for helping to make this event so successful.

RECAP: Saskatchewan U18 Teams at Tropical 7s

The Saskatchewan men’s U18 team walked away from the Tropical 7s tournament in Orlando with a bronze medal, while the women’s team finished 11th.

In men’s action, Saskatchewan went 4-0 in the round robin to finish first in their pool. Unfortunately, they lost both of their playoff games leaving them with a third-place finish. Meanwhile, the women finished the round robin fourth in their pool with a 1-3 record, but turned it around in the playoffs picking up back-to-back wins.

Full Results

Men

Round Robin

Def. Cape Pirates 24-0

Def. Alliance Rugby Club 43-0

Def. New Brunswick Spruce 12-5

Def. Cayman Islands 19-10

Playoffs

Def. by Ontario Blues 24-5

Def. by EORU 20-10

Women

Round Robin

Def. Upright Rugby Rogues 17-5

Def. by Alaska Youth Rugby 17-12

Def. by Celtic Barbarians 38-5

Def. by Nova Scotia Keltics 15-5

Playoffs

Def. GALIAS LFM 22-0

Def. Toronto Saracens 12-10

RECAP: Saskatchewan Teams at University 7s Championships

Both the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina had men’s and women’s representation at the Canadian University Rugby 7s Championships from March 22-24 in Kingston, Ont.

Women's Results

University of Regina

Round Robin (2-1 record)

Queen’s 33, Regina 7

Regina 27, SLC 0

Regina 20, Montreal 15

Cup Playoffs

QF: Guelph 27, Regina 5

Consolation SF: U of A 48, Regina 0

University of Saskatchewan

Round Robin (1-2 record)

Guelph 29, Saskatchewan 0

Concordia 46, Saskatchewan 0

Saskatchewan 15, Humber 12

Challenge Trophy Playoffs

QF: Saskatchewan 35, SLC 0

SF: Western 19, Saskatchewan 17

Men's Results

University of Regina

Round Robin (1-2 record)

Regina 17, Trent 12

Bishop’s 20, Regina 0

Queen’s 36, Regina 0

Cup Playoffs

QF: Bishop’s 27, Regina 0

Consolation SF: Guelph 31, Regina 14

University of Saskatchewan

Round Robin (1-2 record)

Quebec Selects 21, Saskatchewan 14

Waterloo 27, Saskatchewan 7

Saskatchewan 28, RMC 5

Cup Playoffs

QF: Concordia 19, Saskatchewan 12

Consolation SF: Quebec Selects 24, Saskatchewan 12

Sask 7s U18 Teams Announced

We are happy to announce the following athletes that will be participating at the Under 18 National 7s Championship March 8-9th in Burnaby, BC. 

U18 Boys play New Brunswick at 1:14pm and Quebec at 3:14pm

U18 Girls play Indigenous Spruce at 10:44am, Quebec at 1:58pm and Newfoundland at 3:36pm. 

(all game times posted in Pacific Time)

Tournament website is www.canadianrugbychampionship.com – select U18 Divisions for info.

7s Squad

2018 Canadian Rugby 7s Championship

Vancouver, BC

March 8th-9th

Coaches

Dakota Matthews

Saskatoon, SK

Kayla Mack 

Regina, SK

 

Manager

Wade Clarke

Rouleau, SK

Robin MacDowell

Regina, SK

BOYS

Olaf Erasmus

Provost, SK

Ferdinand Somda

Regina, SK

Matt Klimchuk

Regina, SK

Dreydon Martin

Regina, SK

Easton Smith

Warman, SK

Caylem McCormick

Warman, SK

Kyle Nortjé

Saskatoon, SK

Zach Nygren

White City, SK

Luke Wilson

Saskatoon, SK

Leith MacEwen

Lashburn, SK

Carson Clarke

Rouleau, SK

Colton Aikens

Briercrest, SK

GIRLS

Ashley Albert

Meadow Lake, SK

Julia Bancroft

Wilcox, SK

Brittney Doerksen

Warman, SK

Emily Findlay

Regina, SK

Jocelyn Lightfoot

Assiniboia, SK

Emerald Maze

Pilot Bitte, SK

Janel Miller

Big River, SK

Brenna Nelson

Lloydminister, SK

Stephanie Runciman

Wilcox, SK

Kirsten Sawatzky

Osler, SK

Emma Scheck

Cactus Lake, SK

Hannah Wilkinson

Regina, SK

Sask 7s is Looking for Under 18 Boys and Girls

Sask 7s is looking for Under 18 boys and girls to represent Saskatchewan

The Under 18 National 7s Championship is taking place in Vancouver March 8-9th and Saskatchewan is sending a boys and girls team.  12 athletes for each team will be selected to compete.

Team Try out dates are January 13th and 20th at the Yara Center in Moose Jaw, SK.

Girls Head Coach – Kayla Mack

Boys Head Coach – Dakota Matthews

The team will travel on March 7 and return March 12.  All players will be attending Canada Sevens Tournament to cheer on Men’s National 7s Team on Saturday and Sunday.

If you have questions contact the Director of 7s Robin MacDowell 306-533-5140 or Team Manager Wade Clarke 306-630-8879