Sask Stars Shine in Pan-Am Games

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

 

AGM – Notice

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Saskatchewan Rugby

AGM Meeting Notice

Notice is hereby given that an in person Saskatchewan Rugby Union Inc. Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday April 2, 2023 in Saskatoon.

Annual General Meeting at 10am for the following purposes:

1.   To receive the financial statements and report of the Corporation’s Auditors.

2.   To appoint auditors for the ensuring year.

3.   To deal with any resolutions brought forward.

4.   To deal with any bylaw changes brought forward.

 

Online Registration is required with a deadline of March 24th. HERE


Any proposed Resolutions or Bylaw Amendments must be received in writing no later then 12pm on March 24th , 2023 so they can be circulated to the Membership along with the draft audited financial statements.  The location will be in Room 122 at the Administration Center for Sport Culture and Recreation located at 510 Cynthia Street in Saskatoon.

  • Notice
  • Agenda
  • 2022 Special Meeting - November Minutes
  • List Item

Introducing Sask FlagX Rugby

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Sask Rugby is proud to announce the launch of the Sask FlagX program in the province, starting in Regina. This exciting new pilot program brings a fast and exciting non-contact flag rugby league to the province, catering to youth between the ages of 4 and 18. The pilot is a partnership with the international TagX brand, which has a history of delivering successful non-contact rugby leagues around the world. This program will help players develop their evasion techniques, learn spatial awareness, and hone their communication skills through playing games in a structured league format. Most importantly, this league will provide an enjoyable and exciting playing experience that encourages players to return to the sport year-over-year.

“This is an exciting opportunity for new and existing young rugby players in our province,” said Jordan Astrope, Executive Director of Sask Rugby. “Building on the work that our Member Organizations have put into the minor and junior rugby space, this program is the next step in providing a great rugby experience for kids that are learning the game and falling in love with it as so many of us already have.”

This program is launching in Regina in the spring of 2023, with plans to bring it to other parts of the province in the future. The long term goal of the program is to provide an excellent rugby experience to youth across the province through a standardized program format, easy-to-understand rules, and a product that local leaders can pull out of the box and implement in their own communities. In the future, this program will enable competition between youth across the province at every age and experience level.

Andrew Shaw, Rugby Development Officer with Sask Rugby noted that “having a program like Sask FlagX is a key initiative in growing the number of people playing rugby in the province. It is extremely important that we are able to provide playing opportunities to kids when their enthusiasm for the sport is high and the more opportunities that are available increases the likelihood that youth will find our sport, give it a try, and become lifelong rugby players.”

Learn More
Register Now!

Registration for this program opens on February 3, 2023 and the first day of games is March 18, 2023. Use the buttons to the left to register now or learn more about this year’s programming or programs in the future.

Cougars, U of S Start 2023 Strong

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All four Saskatchewan university clubs kicked off their 2023 7’s season these past few weeks. The Univer

sity of Regina Women’s team made their Canada West Debut in Edmonton while the U of R men and both University of Saskatchewan teams played in Red Deer.

In Edmonton, the Cougar women had strong matches against the University of Victoria, Trinity Western, Calgary, Lethbridge, and ended the weekend with a victory over the University of Brandon with a final score of 12-10. The Cougars will be in Vancouver March 3-4 to play in the UBC CanWest Tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: Soutchai Quangtakoune

Just a few hours south in Red Deer, the U of S women faced off against Mount Royal University and the University of Lethbridge in a pool series, finishing the weekend with 2 wins over MRU and 2 losses against Lethbridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Jade Boland

The U of R men, went 1-1-1 on day 1 with a win against the University of Calgary, loss against University of Alberta, and a tie against Edmonton Gold. They finished day 2 as Pool B champions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Cougars Men’s Rugby

In day 1 of the Red Deer tournament, the U of S men finished 2-1 in the pool series with a win against SAIT, University of Alberta B team, and a loss against the University of Calgary. This result punched them a ticket to the semi-finals on day 2 against the University of Alberta A team where the U of S emerged victorious. The men ended the day with a tough loss against the University of Calgary in the final.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Jade Boland

Congrats to all teams, we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2023 has in store!