Job Opportunity – Youth Summer Jobs

Saskatchewan Rugby is looking to hire youth workers for a variety of summer positions in 2024 out of Saskatoon, Regina, Lloydminster and Meadow Lake.

 

Sport Program Coordinator (Regina, Saskatoon, Lloydminster, Meadow Lake) – Job Description 2024 Sport Program Coordinators HERE

Sport Program Administrative Coordinator  (Regina) – Job Description 2024 Sport Program Administrative Coordinators HERE

Grounds Maintenance Labourer (Saskatoon) – Job Description 2024 Grounds Maintenance Labourer HERE

 

These positions are funded through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) wage subsidy from Employment and Social Development Canada. CSJ provides wage subsidies to employers to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years. These positions are subject to funding approval as our applications are currently under assessment, however they are typically approved as full time (30 -35 hours per week, between 9 – 12 weeks, between April 24, 2024 to August 30, 2024.

Please email your resume with a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience would make you a great fit for this position by March 31, 2024, to:
Email: jobs@saskrugby.com

We’d like to thank all applicants for your interest in Saskatchewan Rugby, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Kristine Lovatt’s rugby journey continues to find success

Over the last decade and a half, Kristine Lovatt has played for 12 rugby teams across Canada and travelling to three continents to referee games all the way up to Olympic qualifiers. An impressive feat for anyone, but especially for someone who had “literally never even heard the word rugby” before she started attending Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in 2006.

Both Lovatt and the game have grown a lot since she started playing. She had always been sporty, and the school encouraged one sport a season. When the time came to choose her spring sport in 2007, it was an easy decision.

“My options were softball and rugby,” Lovatt said. “And despite being relatively athletic, I become the most uncoordinated individual when you put any sort of object in my hand to play a sport.”

Though the highest levels of the sport were in her future, a relaxed and comfortable environment is what helped develop her love for the game. The sport season at Athol Murray was often very intense, but the start of rugby in the spring was just the opposite. She calls the difference between seasons “that feeling of taking your jeans off at the end of the day.”

The environment was nurtured by her coach, Darren Beaulac. His focus on making the game fun was formative for Lovatt. “It’s pretty hard to imagine I would have stuck around in the sport in those early days had he not been creating that kind of environment,” she said.

Another major advantage for Lovatt was that she got involved in the sport as it really began to expand for women in Saskatchewan. When she was just 15, she got to play on Team Saskatchewan’s U19 team—simply because there weren’t that many girls who wanted to play. Many of her school teammates were playing for the provincial team, so there was plenty of encouragement to try out for a spot.

“I tried out for Team Sask because I could,” Lovatt said. “Most years if you showed up you could play; there were only a couple cuts. It kind of fell into my lap and I was playing a whole heck of a lot more than I thought I would be.”

She stuck with rugby—at school and at the provincial level—through high school and when she moved out to Nova Scotia to attend Acadia University. But it was the chance to make a few extra bucks (AKA: beer money) in grad school that brought her a new challenge. She took her first refereeing course through Saskatchewan Rugby in March 2017 and officiated for the first time at a boys’ high school game that spring.

She quickly learned that refereeing was an even better use of her skills and personality than playing had been. “My overall personality has fit better in this context of the game,” she said. Her years as a player helped her build a broad knowledge of the game and an understanding of the rules in context, and she says her new role is a natural fit for her organizational skills and gut feelings.

The shift from player to referee might have been unexpected, but it took off quickly for Lovatt. Within a few months of starting to officiate, she was traveling to other provinces and meeting “some of the best referees in the country.” Not only did she enjoy meeting new people, but those connections also helped her leap to the next level as a ref—by the fall of 2017, she was refereeing university-level games.

“Within six months I had already achieved what it took me 12 years to achieve as a player,” she said.

Then in 2022, things really took off—which Lovatt certainly wasn’t expecting after the pandemic had her questioning how involved she would be in rugby going forward. That year, she got the opportunity to referee the Canada Games, which led to travelling to Mexico that fall to ref at the RAN Super Sevens. Since then, she has refereed games around the world:

  • South Africa, April 2023: World Rugby Development Academy
  • Ottawa, July 2023: World Rugby Pacific Four Series
  • Langford, August 2023: Olympic Qualifiers
  • Chile, October 2023: Pan American Games

Next on the schedule is the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Uruguay in March 2024, and though every new experience is exciting, it’s the people and the experience that keep stoking the fire for Lovatt.

“Rugby gave me a place in the world,” she said. “Refereeing in particular is what has…taught me that if you do things because you love them, because they matter to you and you value them, that’s going to lead to an authentic and meaningful life.”

She credits the game with helping her tolerate failure, build a strong work ethic, and balance responsibility, but most importantly to be part of a supportive community—on and off the field. After all her experiences, she wants to help others who could find their place on the field, too.

“I just want to stay involved with the game for as long as I can,” she said. “…I want to play my part in helping other people fall in love with the game.”

 

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

Sask Stars Shine in Pan-Am Games

Congratulations to Saskatchewan Rugby’s very own Kristine Lovatt and Carissa Norsten who represented Canada and Saskatchewan at the 2023 Pan-American Games in Santiago Chile.

  

Carissa Norsten was named to the Canadian National Women’s 7s team. The team opened the tournament with two impressive wins: 41-0 vs Chile and 69-0 vs Mexico with Norsten scoring 1 try in the second game. The squad booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 29-21 win vs Brazil with Norsten once again going over for her 2nd try of the day. On day 2, the team confidently beat Colombia 45-14 in the semi-finals with Norsten scoring once again. In the Gold medal match, Canada faced their rivals the United States and after a hard fought 14 minutes fell just short of the Gold medal with a score of 19-12. The young team finished the tournament with a Silver Medal!

Kristine Lovatt saw much of the pitch as a referee in the following games:

Paraguay vs Colombia

USA vs Paraguay

Paraguay vs Chile

Brazil vs Colombia (Bronze Medal Match)

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.

Premier Rugby 7s x Sask Rugby

The 2023 Premier Rugby 7s expanded 2023 season saw multiple Saskatchewan Rugby stars competing for various franchise teams across the United States.

Spencer Boldt; Notre Dame Alumna and Sask Rugby star signed with the Experts franchise for her third season. The Experts started their season off strong winning the first stop of the series in San Jose on July 16, and clinching their ticket to the Championship tournament in DC.

Carissa Norsten & Christina Norsten; this Sask rugby sister duo have been making waves both in the US and Canada over the past few years. Carissa signed with the Loonies franchise for her second season and Christina signed for her very first season. The Loonies coached by Sask Rugby coaching legends Brett Kannenberg and Robin MacDowell had a fantastic season, winning at home in Minnesota on the first stop of the series, then clinching their championship tournament spot in San Jose and finally becoming the 2023 Premier Rugby 7s Champions for the second season in a row on August 7th.

Lucas Scheck; the Sask Rugby star resigned with the Headliners franchise for his second season. The team fell short of a championship tournament spot, battling against tough competition from the get go.

We are incredibly proud of these Saskatchewan athletes and their continued success. The future is bright!

Saskatchewan Rugby on the World Stage

This past summer International rugby competitions were back in full swing seeing Canadian rugby athletes shine on the world stage.

The Pacific Four Series took place at Ottawa’s TD Place July 8 & 14, 2023. Saskatchewan products Gabrielle Senft; former Leboldus Sun, Notre Dame Hound and Provincial Team Player, Emily Tuttosi; former Kirin player, and Alayna Scramstad; former Lashburn Lucky player were selected to the Canadian National Women’s Team pre-tournament camp with Senft and Tuttosi competiting in the doubleheader competition falling to New Zealand 52-21 on July 8th and beating Australia 45-7 on July 14.

 

The 7th Commonwealth Youth Games took place on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago August 4-11, 2023. Saskatchewan Rugby’s very own Elle Douglas was selected for Canada’s U18 women’s 7s team who opened the tournament with a 21-7 win over Wales and a 0-33 loss to Australia. The team then beat Fiji 19-17 and Trinidad and Tobago 59-0, facing Kenya in the semi-finals securing their place in the gold medal match where they lost to Australia and finished the tournament with a silver medal.

 

The Canadian Men’s National XVs team travelled to Tonga to play two test matches as they continue to build towards their 2025 Qualification matches for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Saskatchewan Rugby’s Matt Klimchuk; former provincial team player, Howler, and Regina Rogue star was named to the team and faced Tonga August 10 & 15 unfortunately falling short on both occasions.

Rugby Day in Yorkton – July 15

Sign up for our Kids Free Session at 2pm

www.saskrugby.com/yorkton

‘Rugby Day’ will introduce sport to Yorkton and area 

(From Calvin Daniels – Yorkton this week)
If you are a youth ages five to 13 you’ll want to to be signed up for a introduction to rugby workshop planned for the morning of July 15 at Century Field.

YORKTON – Want to get in on the ground floor as a new sport is introduced to Yorkton?

Then if you are a youth ages five to 13 you’ll want to to be signed up for a introduction to rugby workshop planned for the morning of July 15 at Century Field. While being held in Yorkton, young players are welcome from throughout the region. You can pre-register at www.saskrugby.com

 

Don’t worry parents the introduction will be non-contact as participants are given a chance to handle a rugby ball, do some passing – integral to the game, and learning some basic forms.

The morning workshop in part of a ‘Rugby Day’ being held in the city by Saskatchewan Rugby as a way to start the ball rolling toward establishing teams in Yorkton explained Jordan Astrope Executive Director with the provincial organization.

So why rugby?

 

Andrew Shaw, Rugby Development Officer with the provincial organization said it is a sport where many of the skills for example lateral foot movement transfer to other sports from hockey to basketball, and it does provide physical activity, and of course the crossover to football is obvious too.

There is also a community aspect to rugby, offered Astrope, which revolve around core values including integrity, respect, passion and discipline.

While it is obvious that rugby might attract athletes from other sports, it is also hoped as a new venture it will bring out some youngsters yet to find their sport and willing to give rugby a try.

 

Astrope said looking ahead they hope there is interest from local youth, which in turn gets some parents interested as volunteers to start a non-contact rugby program, which gets players involved and learning skills which give them a firm foundation should the program one day expand to include contact teams.

“Non-contact is about safety getting started,” he said.

The day will also include four matches featuring both boys and girls U16 and U18 teams from Saskatchewan and Manitoba hooking up to demonstrate the sport.

The games will provide entertainment and also give interested players and volunteers a look at rugby live.

The Yorkton day is part of the provincial organization’s efforts to expand the sport in Saskatchewan, taking a community, by community approach.

At present there are established rugby programs of varying degrees in about 10 communities, offered Shaw.

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