Rugby – Brandon Sun

Brandon University rugby captain Breanna Sakal splits a pair of defenders with the ball during practice at John Reilly Field on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Top-ranked Brandon chases first rugby title

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

Breanna Sakal embraced the idea that the journey is more important than the destination.

She didn’t know she’d even have a championship to play for when she joined the Brandon University women’s rugby club five years ago. But she stuck with it and helped a young program grow, join a conference and become a title contender.

BU finished third at the inaugural Prairie University Women’s Rugby Conference championship last year and is the No. 1 seed and host of this year’s tournament. It kicks off today at John Reilly Field.

The No. 2 seed Southern Alberta Institute of Technology plays the University of Saskatchewan at noon, with BU and Mount Royal University clashing at 2 p.m.

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BU rugby team caps perfect regular season

1 minute read Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025

Megan Thompson scored two tries and kicked six converts as Brandon University blanked the University of Regina 77-0 in Prairie University Women’s Rugby Club action in Regina on Saturday.

Beth Couling, Breanna Sakal and Madison Vandal each touched the ball down twice as well for BU.

Brandon finished the season in first place at 4-0 and is hosting the league championship weekend.

The semifinals are this Friday at John Reilly Field, with the third-place match and final set for Sunday.

BU beats U of S on rugby pitch

1 minute read Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

Raegan Ricard scored four tries as the Brandon University women’s rugby club topped the University of Saskatchewan 83-17 at John Reilly Field on Saturday.

Brooke Miner added three tries for BU, with Kypling Black and Beth Couling each scoring a pair.

Megan Thompson connected on 10 converts for Brandon, which improved to 3-0.

BU hosts the Prairie University Women’s Rugby Cup for the first time this year, on Oct. 24 and 26.

Pierreroy brothers add to Barbs’ sting

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

Pierreroy brothers add to Barbs’ sting

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

The Brandon Barbarians are hoping a little sibling rivalry can carry the team a long way this weekend.

Richard Pierreroy, 22, and his 18-year-old sibling Adam will be in the lineup on Saturday at noon as the second-place Barbarians (7-3-1) face the first-place Winnipeg Wanderers (9-2-0) at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Rugby Manitoba’s Men’s Division 2 final.

“We’re four years apart, so I never really got to play with him, but I came to watch for the first time last year,” said Adam, who is in his first year with the club. “I’d never tell him, but he’s a good player. We always grew up hating each other as brothers and this brought us closer together. “It’s a lot more fun and a lot easier to try and show him up than at the house was. I like the competition again.”

Richard sees it the same way.

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Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025

Richard Pierreroy of the Brandon Barbarians tackles Cole Scott of the Manitoba Wombats in Premier Men’s Division 2 action at John Reilly Field on Saturday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Barbarians advance to Division 2 final

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Barbarians advance to Division 2 final

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

The Brandon Barbarians parlayed a flawless first half into a trip to Rugby Manitoba’s Men’s Division 2 final next weekend, beating the visiting Winnipeg Assassins 46-22 in the semifinals on Saturday at John Reilly Field.

“It was almost a complete shutdown on their side,” said Richard Pierreroy, who had a pair of tries for Brandon. “If we had played through the entire game like that, they would have had no points at all. We could have totally shut them out.”

In the other semifinal, the fourth-place Dauphin Mavericks (5-6-0) fell 24-12 to the first-place Winnipeg Wanderers (8-2-0) in a game that was tied 12-12 at the half.

A preview of coming attractions arrived early on Saturday morning at John Reilly Field. The second-place Assassins, who were 6-4-1 in the regular season, received the ball off the kickoff and while they held it off for a while, they had to battle for every yard.

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Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

A group of the Brandon Barbarians — from left to right, Robin Roberts, Randy Cooke, Zach Davis, Keegan Pitcairn-Freiheit, Jacob Walters, Richard Pierreroy and Adam Pierreroy — head back up the field after Pitcairn-Freiheit’s late try in their 46-22 semifinal victory over the Winnipeg Assassins on Saturday at John Reilly Field. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Arevalo lifts Cougars to first victory

2 minute read Sunday, Sep. 21, 2025

Kiyanna Arevalo scored the game’s only goal as the Assiniboine College Cougars earned their first victory of the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference women’s soccer season on Sunday.

The Cougars (1-5-0) blanked the St. Boniface Les Rouges 1-0 in Winnipeg.

On Saturday, Arevalo found the net but the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers scored in added time to beat the Cougars 2-1.

The Brandon University Bobcats (5-0-0) blanked the Blazers 6-0 on Sunday as Brogan Henry and Keashae Masters each scored twice, with Deborah Meron and Laure Dizengremel adding singles.

Dauphin presence strong on rugby sevens squads

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Dauphin presence strong on rugby sevens squads

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025

The Dauphin Clippers rugby program is punching above its weight on the national stage.

Five boys and three girls from the program are headed to St. John’s, N.L., as part of the Team Manitoba contingent at the 2025 Canada Games.

It’s certainly impressive for a city of about 8,000.

“It’s kind of weird. It’s not surprising, but it is at the same time. It’s just a little weird population-density-wise,” said Will Miner. “It’s from starting at such a young age. The kids that are playing in high school now started when they were in Grade 3 … they’re starting young.

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Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025

Dauphin's Will Miner is headed to the Canada Games for the multi-sport event's first male rugby sevens tournament. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

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Cooke sets table for Barbarians

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Cooke sets table for Barbarians

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

Randy Cooke had the first two tries of his senior men’s career to lift the Brandon Barbarians to a 39-7 victory over the visiting Manitoba Wombats in Premier Men’s Division 2 action at John Reilly Field on a sweltering Saturday afternoon.

“It’s like a 400-pound gorilla on my back so it was pretty nice to get that off,” Cooke said. “I think everyone in the league knew I hadn’t scored a try until today so it’s nice to get that one over with.”

Manitoba, which has a combined team with the Brumbies, had a strong start after allowing Brandon to recover its game-opening kick, gaining possession and driving down the field for a try by Abe Gonzalez two minutes 45 seconds into the contest.

When Manitoba stopped Brandon at its own goal-line, the Wombats bench became animated, with one player shouting, “We run this town!” and another quickly adding, “We run this village!”

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Tuesday, Jul. 29, 2025

Randy Cooke of the Brandon Barbarians dives in for his second try of the game as they beat the visiting Manitoba Wombats in Premier Men's Division 2 action at John Reilly Field on Saturday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Forwards the heartbeat of Barbs rugby squad

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Forwards the heartbeat of Barbs rugby squad

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025

There’s nothing like the rare moment a big man runs with the football.

Whether a defensive lineman picks off a pass or the left tackle scoops up a fumble and takes off, those few seconds of rumbling are pure cinema as it takes at least two men to bring him down.

That sort of play is a regular occurrence at a Brandon Barbarians men’s rugby game as the forwards make the most of each chance to touch the ball.

They also do a whole lot more, and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.

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Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025

Brandon Barbarians Adam Kowalchuk runs over a Winnipeg Wasp during their Rugby Manitoba men's Division 2 game on Saturday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Couling boosts Brandon rugby teams

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Couling boosts Brandon rugby teams

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025

Beth Couling’s eyes were opened to what rugby can look like. Now she’s trying to help her two Brandon teams get there.

The Souris native is back in Westman after a year of Canada West rugby with the University of Calgary Dinos. She has transferred to Brandon University and joined its team, but will first help the Brandon Barbarians senior women chase a Rugby Manitoba championship.

Couling not only scored her first try as a Barb in the team’s 44-22 win over the Dauphin Mavericks in Saturday’s home opener at John Reilly Field, she completed a hat trick.

But she won’t take an ounce of credit.

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Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025

Brandon Barbarians hooker Beth Couling takes on a Dauphin Mavericks defending during their women’s rugby game at John Reilly Field on Saturday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Black, Redekop Massey’s athletes of the year

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Black, Redekop Massey’s athletes of the year

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

Kypling Black took a chance when she transferred to Vincent Massey from Neelin three years ago.

It’s safe to say the decision paid off. She returned to her favourite sport from her childhood, rugby, and is leaving as the school’s female athlete of the year, along with male winner Zach Redekop.

“There’s definitely a lot of really great female athletes at this school and there’s more coming. I was more than grateful and shocked to hear it,” Black said.

“It definitely wasn’t easy at the beginning but it was nice to get right into JV volleyball my first week here.

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Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

Kypling Black, left, is joining the Brandon University women's rugby team this fall. (Brandon Sun files)

Mavs Fest highlights rugby success in Dauphin

Perry Bergson 4 minute read Preview

Mavs Fest highlights rugby success in Dauphin

Perry Bergson 4 minute read Friday, Jun. 6, 2025

Mavs Fest will showcase the growing sport of rugby in Dauphin today.

Organizer Shawn Sarkonak said rugby, which is seeing increased numbers and incredible success in the Parkland community, will host the day-long event at the Vermillion Park Sportsplex on the northwest side of the city.

“That’s why we’re really looking at this weekend as being very successful, albeit it looks like it’s going to be pretty wet,” Sarkonak said. “I think that’s when it’s best to play, is in the rain, so I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a great success.”

For the past few years, the Parkland Pirates youth team has been running a spring league and jamboree in conjunction with Neepawa, Steinbach, Winnipeg and Selkirk. Each team holds its own jamboree, so Dauphin organizers decided to build on the event with some provincial and senior action.

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Friday, Jun. 6, 2025

The Dauphin Clippers girls rugby team celebrate their provincial championship after they beat the Souris Sabres on Monday in Brandon. The sport is taking off in Dauphin, with Mavs Fest being held today in the city. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Dauphin takes both WHSR titles

1 minute read Monday, May. 26, 2025

Julien Lopez scored three tries as the Dauphin Clippers knocked off the top-seed Souris Sabres 42-21 in the Westman High School Rugby boys’ final in Souris on Saturday.

Ben Miner, Landon Garton and Ronan Mouck added tries for Dauphin, with Colton Miner going a perfect 6-for-6 on convert attempts.

Colby Pentecost did all the scoring for the Sabres, with three tries and three converts.

In the girls’ final, Dauphin beat Souris 45-5 for its third straight title.

Sabres hammer JV Plainsmen in girls rugby

1 minute read Tuesday, May. 13, 2025

The visiting Souris Sabres dominated the Crocus Plainsmen junior varsity squad in girls’ Westman High School Rugby action on Monday, earning a 78-0 victory.

Karas Munz had five tries, Aubrey Skelton had four, Gracelyn Schroeder had two and Alexa Tousignant, Madison Vandal and Calle Peters all had one, with Elle McLean kicking three converts and Amanda Mielke connecting on one.

» The Brandon Sun

Tuttosi gives back at Souris rugby practices

Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Preview

Tuttosi gives back at Souris rugby practices

Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Friday, Apr. 11, 2025

SOURIS — Regardless of how far Emily Tuttosi goes in rugby, it’s not a one-way journey.

The Souris native has spent seven seasons in the United Kingdom playing professionally, first with the Loughborough Lighting and now with the Exeter Chiefs. She not only cracked the Team Canada roster for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup — played in 2022 due to COVID-19 — but led the squad in scoring as it reached the medal rounds for the first time since 2014.

She’s in the middle of a push for a roster spot for the 2025 World Cup, but before heading back to train with the national team she spent a couple of afternoons training the varsity boys and girls in her hometown as they gear up for the Westman High School Rugby season.

“Any time Emily comes back — and she’s really good at giving back to the program — she does generate some excitement,” said Souris coach Brian Yon, one of Tuttosi’s first coaches.

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Friday, Apr. 11, 2025

Souris native Emily Tuttosi returned to her old school to coach the varsity girls and boys during a pair of practices this week, before heading back to train with Team Canada in preparation for the Pacific Four Series, which begins on May 2 against the United States. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Vorster poised for big senior rugby season

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Vorster poised for big senior rugby season

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 11, 2025

SOURIS — It didn’t take much for the Souris Sabres rugby program to exceed George Vorster’s expectations.

He thought he was leaving the game — his greatest passion — behind when his family bought a farm near the western Manitoba town and moved from Port Elizabeth, just about the southernmost point of South Africa.

Four years later, he has one more chance to guide the Sabres to a provincial title. “I didn’t think there would be rugby at all, to be honest. I was surprised to see rugby here,” Vorster said. “It’s not the same but it’s something.

“Back home I was just another player, average guy. Here, I kind of stood out.”

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Friday, Apr. 11, 2025

December 22, 2025

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