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Press Release: Manitoba Premier League Grand Final Preview, Manitoba Wombats v Winnipeg Assassins.

Kick off: 2 p.m. October 23, 2021 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

Despite a cancelled season in 2020, there is an air of familiarity about the upcoming Manitoba Premier League Grand Final between the Manitoba Wombats and the Winnipeg Assassins. The two modern powerhouse clubs of Manitoban rugby have faced off in the decider for the last 6 seasons, with the honors being shared evenly with three championships a piece.

Assassins Joel Verville, Tyson Borys and Wombats: Kirk Kantyluk, Isaak Becker stand with the Patron’s Challenge Cup (Photo Credit: Rugby Manitoba Staff)

The Wombats are looking to secure their fourth successive title; a feat that has not been seen in Manitoba since the Saracens era of dominance in the seventies and eighties (winning eight premierships in a row).

“It’s huge to be at the final, each one is such a special occasion,” said Kirk Kantyluk who will be playing in his tenth grand final this year.

Wombat’s flanker Isaak Becker added “It’s an amazing feeling, holding that cup at the end of the year. It feels great, feels right, feels proper.”

The Wombats recent success means little this year, with injuries depriving the club of some regular stars. The Wombats hope that their strong club mentality and depth will negate any suggestions of complacency going into the match.

When asked about combating complacency going for their fourth consecutive championship Kantyluk stated “We’ve lost a few key players throughout the year, we have a great next man up mentality”. 

It is that mentality and club depth that the Wombats believe will see them through on the day.

The Assassins however will find extra motivation going into this game knowing that they have fallen short for the past three seasons. 

Tyson Borys of the Assassins knows all too well about the challenge of facing the Wombats in a grand final. “It's about commitment, after losing three in a row. Everyone always wants to win, but this year everyone wants it so much more,” said Borys.

 “We know that we have to give it our all, we have to match them and go above their intensity,” Borys also added, suggesting that Saturday's game is likely to be a physical one.

Joel Verville, also of the Assassins says the key to success this Saturday is for the Assassins to believe. “Trust in one another, trust in the team. We know the guy beside us is going to do his job and we have to do ours to get the win on Saturday,” said Verville.

The Infamous 2019 (Mud Bowl) Premier Grand Final- (Photo – Eric Steeves)

Despite being fiercely competitive foes on the field, all players are appreciative at the chance to be back playing rugby this year.

Joel Verville from the Assassins exclaimed “I’m very excited, nice to be out there running again after an extended enforced break due to lockdowns and quarantines”

“We make great friendships and enjoy running around” is why Joel loves to play rugby.

Tyson Borys added that “Rugby is great, the physical contact & cardio. The highlight for me is the strength of the community. You learn to hate and love the opposition at the same time.” 

Kirk Kantyluk of the Wombats is a seasoned veteran of the sport “Rugby has meant a lot to me, I've been playing since I was 15. I’ve never felt so welcomed when playing other sports. Although the physicality of rugby asks a lot from you, it is immensely rewarding to be involved with the game”

His teammate Isaak Becker played every sport under the sun growing up, “rugby is the most challenging and you really get out of it exactly what you put into it.” 

“The adversity and shared experience turns your teammates into your brothers, the sport is a brotherhood.” Becker noted.

Catch the action from 2 p.m. this Saturday Oct 23, 2021at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

Press Release: Manitoba Premier League Grand Final Preview, Manitoba Wombats v Winnipeg Assassins.

Kick off: 2 p.m. October 23, 2021 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

Despite a cancelled season in 2020, there is an air of familiarity about the upcoming Manitoba Premier League Grand Final between the Manitoba Wombats and the Winnipeg Assassins. The two modern powerhouse clubs of Manitoban rugby have faced off in the decider for the last 6 seasons, with the honors being shared evenly with three championships a piece.

Assassins Joel Verville, Tyson Borys and Wombats: Kirk Kantyluk, Isaak Becker stand with the Patron’s Challenge Cup (Photo Credit: Rugby Manitoba Staff)

The Wombats are looking to secure their fourth successive title; a feat that has not been seen in Manitoba since the Saracens era of dominance in the seventies and eighties (winning eight premierships in a row).

“It’s huge to be at the final, each one is such a special occasion,” said Kirk Kantyluk who will be playing in his tenth grand final this year.

Wombat’s flanker Isaak Becker added “It’s an amazing feeling, holding that cup at the end of the year. It feels great, feels right, feels proper.”

The Wombats recent success means little this year, with injuries depriving the club of some regular stars. The Wombats hope that their strong club mentality and depth will negate any suggestions of complacency going into the match.

When asked about combating complacency going for their fourth consecutive championship Kantyluk stated “We’ve lost a few key players throughout the year, we have a great next man up mentality”. 

It is that mentality and club depth that the Wombats believe will see them through on the day.

The Assassins however will find extra motivation going into this game knowing that they have fallen short for the past three seasons. 

Tyson Borys of the Assassins knows all too well about the challenge of facing the Wombats in a grand final. “It's about commitment, after losing three in a row. Everyone always wants to win, but this year everyone wants it so much more,” said Borys.

 “We know that we have to give it our all, we have to match them and go above their intensity,” Borys also added, suggesting that Saturday's game is likely to be a physical one.

Joel Verville, also of the Assassins says the key to success this Saturday is for the Assassins to believe. “Trust in one another, trust in the team. We know the guy beside us is going to do his job and we have to do ours to get the win on Saturday,” said Verville.

The Infamous 2019 (Mud Bowl) Premier Grand Final- (Photo – Eric Steeves)

Despite being fiercely competitive foes on the field, all players are appreciative at the chance to be back playing rugby this year.

Joel Verville from the Assassins exclaimed “I’m very excited, nice to be out there running again after an extended enforced break due to lockdowns and quarantines”

“We make great friendships and enjoy running around” is why Joel loves to play rugby.

Tyson Borys added that “Rugby is great, the physical contact & cardio. The highlight for me is the strength of the community. You learn to hate and love the opposition at the same time.” 

Kirk Kantyluk of the Wombats is a seasoned veteran of the sport “Rugby has meant a lot to me, I've been playing since I was 15. I’ve never felt so welcomed when playing other sports. Although the physicality of rugby asks a lot from you, it is immensely rewarding to be involved with the game”

His teammate Isaak Becker played every sport under the sun growing up, “rugby is the most challenging and you really get out of it exactly what you put into it.” 

“The adversity and shared experience turns your teammates into your brothers, the sport is a brotherhood.” Becker noted.

Catch the action from 2 p.m. this Saturday Oct 23, 2021 at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

The Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2020 induction of three new Honoured Members.

Clint Evans – Pioneer (posthumous),
Scott Harland – Builder and
Colleen Horton – Builder 

They have all made significant contributions to rugby and are worthy of this recognition. Due to COVID-19, they will be formally recognized at the next year’s Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, scheduled for October 30, 2021 at The Gates. Established in 2010, the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame celebrates the history of the sport of Rugby (which was first played in Manitoba in 1879) in Manitoba by recognizing those who have significantly contributed to the game and its development. Funds raised by the annual Induction Dinner are used to support the development of rugby facilities across Manitoba.

There are now 66 Honoured Members recognized as Players, Teams, Officials, Builders or Pioneers. For More Information please contact Ray Hoemsen, P. Eng., Chair, Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame at 204-799-6987 or Ray@RugbyMB.ca. Or see www.ManitobaRugbyHallofFame.com.

CLINT EVANS (1949 – 2007) – PIONEER An outstanding multi sport athlete at Churchill High School (CHS), Clint’s passion for rugby was awakened in the spring of 1967 when he and friend Bob Rialland were recruited to play for the Winnipeg Wasps Rugby Football Club that regularly practiced on Churchill Drive not far from their homes.

Clint and Bob soon encouraged many of their friends from the CHS community to join. In the fall of 1967, fellow Wasp teammate Jim Platt pitched to the CHS lads the idea of forming a new rugby team consisting of home-grown Canadian boys. Enthusiastic, Clint and Bob soon organized several meetings with current CHS and alumni athletes and the Assassins Rugby Football Club (ARFC) was born. 

Gone but not forgotten, Clint was instrumental in those early years, recruiting club players from the Churchill Bulldog and later Manitoba Bison Football programs, forming a club executive in the fall of 1967, serving as club President in 1968 and then team Captain starting in 1969. 

His efforts were to lead to the club forming and competing in both first and second division in the Manitoba Rugby Football Union by 1969 and the club’s first Division 1 championship in 1971. Through it all, Clint served to instill the foundation upon which the Assassins Rugby Football Club was to thrive.

SCOTT HARLAND – BUILDER Rare are those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of rugby at the local, national and international levels; and Scott Harland is one of them. A member of the Winnipeg Wasps Rugby Football Club, Scott started coaching in 1987 and every year since until 2008. 

During that period he has coached in one capacity or another 14 Manitoba provincial (junior or senior) women’s teams; the Canada Sr. Women’s, Canada U-23 Women’s and Canada U-19 Women’s teams 3 years each; including a combined 7 countries team in the regional Women’s International XVs Championships; accomplishing several significant victories along the way. 

In addition, Scott was instrumental in helping to establish the current high school women’s leagues in both Winnipeg and Saskatoon. As an official, Scott has served in many areas starting as a referee in 1987 and continuing in that capacity to this day. Of particular note, Scott has refereed in over 15 Interprovincial championship matches, two Regional International Sevens championships and five International 15’s matches. 

In addition he has served as Match Commissioner for 30 plus international matches/sevens tournaments; was Head Official for the Pan Am Games Rugby Sevens in Toronto and the 2016 Regional Olympic Qualifiers in North Carolina; Tournament Director for the 2013 Tbilisi Cup, the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Youth Olympic Qualifiers in Las Vegas; and was the Citing Commissioner for 4 Regional International Sevens championships and 2 Regional International U19 tournaments; and serves as a World Rugby consultant for revising and writing the Simplified Laws and online exams and on writing the Level 1 and Level 2 Officiating Sevens Rugby Manual. 

On the trainer and education front, Scott is World Rugby Master Trainer, Match Commissioner Trainer, Citing Commissioner Educator, Leading Rugby Educator; Regional Training Manager for Rugby Americas North overseeing all accreditation courses in Canada, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean.

COLLEEN HORTON – BUILDER As one who has made significant contributions to the sport of rugby in Manitoba, Colleen has pretty much done it all; player, coach, manager, administrator and volunteer. There are very few in the Manitoba rugby community that do not know of her or have not been touched in some way by her involvement and influence. 

Colleen played for many years with the Wasps Women’s Athletic Association (WWAA) and earned a reputation as both an accomplished and tenacious player that was to garner her as a perennial Women’s Provincial team mainstay where she was honoured as the Sr. Women’s Team Most Valuable Player award in 2000. 

Colleen was also instrumental in helping to establish the Brumbies ladies team in 2010 where she coached for a number of years and remains involved with to varying degrees to this day. 

From Winnipeg Women’s Rugby Division Secretary and WWAA representative in 1998; to Rugby Manitoba Board of Director’s Junior Coordinator and Manitoba Sr. Women’s Provincial Team Manager in 2001; to Manitoba High School Rugby Board of Directors in 2001 and 2002; to WWAA Vice President and Maple Grove Rugby Park Clubhouse Manager in 2002; to the Manitoba Buffalo Sr. Men’s Provincial Team Manager for years after, Colleen has certainly been there and done it all.

Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame – 2020 Inductees – Announcement – FOR RELEASE September 25 2020.pdf