Sports

Inducting the class of ’25

T. Kent Morgan 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame will induct its class of 2025 on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. Two athletes, two builders, one athlete/builder and one team representing football, softball, volleyball, soccer, multi-sport and sport medicine make up the class.

Record-setting Winnipeg Blue Bomber Troy Westwood is the football inductee. The kicker, who was born in Dauphin and grew up in Winnipeg, played 18 seasons in the CFL. He became the team’s all-time leading scorer with 2,741 points and holds multiple Bomber and CFL kicking records. Westwood was twice nominated as the CFL’s outstanding Canadian player, and was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2011. He also writes a column on unsung young sports heroes every other week in the Free Press Community Review.

Softball is represented by pitcher Ashley Lanz, who began her softball journey in Winnipeg at age six. She pitched for Minot State and Simon Fraser universities from 2003 to 2005, earning NAIA All-American and pitcher of the year honours in 2005. She also made her mark in international competition, playing for Canada’s national team from 2005 to 2012, winning gold at the 2007 FISU (International University Sports Federation) championships in Bangkok, Thailand. Lanz also pitched in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and in the Italian Professional League. At the Canadian championships, playing with Manitoba’s formidable Smitty’s club, she was named top pitcher in 2008 and 2009. Lanz was inducted into the Manitoba Softball HOF in 2018.

Russ Paddock, who was born in Oak River, is being recognized for his success on the volleyball court and for his coaching resumé. He played for Canada at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and was the captain of the national team in the 1994 world championships. Paddock (whose older brother John was general manager and coach of the Winnipeg Jets in the 1990s) coached the men’s volleyball team at Brandon University from 2005-2012. The team won Canada West silver and CIS (now USports) bronze in 2009 and silver in both in 2011. He was inducted into the Volleyball Manitoba HOF in 2007 as an athlete-builder.

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High school football playoffs heat up

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

High school football playoffs heat up

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

The Winnipeg High School Football League regular season wrapped up with a handful of junior varsity games on Oct. 21, and playoffs are underway.

In the AAAA/Tier 1 Potter Division, perennial powerhouses the Oak Park Raiders and Dakota Lancers both finished with 6-1 records and 12 points. The Raiders finished with 281 points scored and only 62 against, while the Lancers scored 253 and allowed just 41.

In the AAAA/Tier 1 Vidruk Division, the St. Paul’s Crusaders and Vincent Massey Trojans each finished with 6-1 records and 12 points, with St. Paul’s scoring 199 points and allowing 61, while Vincent Massey scored 256 and allowed only 45.

On the A-side of the AAAA Tier 1 playoffs, St. Paul’s took on Brandon’s Vincent Massey Vikings, Dakota battled the Grant Park Pirates, Oak Park faced the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes, and the Trojans faced the Steinbach Sabres on Oct. 24. Results were not available at press time. Semifinals will be played on Oct. 31.

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Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

File photo

The Crocus Plains Plainsmen defeated the River East Kodiaks 35-28 in Winnipeg High School Football League playoff action in Brandon, Man., on Oct. 22. Crocus Plains and the Sturgeon Heights Huskies will face off in the AAAA Tier 1 consolation final on Oct. 29.

File photo
                                The Crocus Plains Plainsmen defeated the River East Kodiaks 35-28 in Winnipeg High School Football League playoff action in Brandon, Man., on Oct. 22. Crocus Plains and the Sturgeon Heights Huskies will face off in the AAAA Tier 1 consolation final on Oct. 29.

Top judo athletes square off at Manitoba Open

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Top judo athletes square off at Manitoba Open

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Some of the top judokas in Canada will soon be competing in Winnipeg at the 2025 Manitoba Open.

The national A-level circuit competition, which runs Nov. 1 and 2 at the Dakota Community Centre fieldhouse (1188 Dakota St.), is expected to feature hundreds of top judo students (judokas) from across the country, including many Manitobans looking to prove themselves. This is the fourth time Judo Manitoba has hosted the tournament.

“It puts us on the map, with the judo community,” said Milton Good, president of Judo Manitoba and tournament director of the Manitoba Open. “It brings a lot of people in and lets us showcase what we can do. We get good feedback on the tournament that we run. We’re one of the premier tournaments of the year.”

Competitors range in age from 10 year olds to veterans (i.e., 30 or older). The tournament includes kata (technical demonstration), ne-waza (fighting on the ground), and tachi-waza (fighting standing up). Medalling at tournaments such as this is what determines which competitors make the national judo team to represent Canada internationally, such as at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. At last year’s Manitoba Open, which drew over 350 competitors, Manitobans won 20 gold, 21 silver, and 12 bronze medals.

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Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Supplied photo

Manitoba provincial judo team members recently competed at the Ontario Open judo tournament in Toronto, Ont., bringing home a number of medals. Pictured (from left) are: Niamh O’Gorman, Ruby Bueckert, Kieran Scanlon, and Ty Stadnyk.

Supplied photo
                                Manitoba provincial judo team members recently competed at the Ontario Open judo tournament in Toronto, Ont., bringing home a number of medals. Pictured (from left) are: Niamh O’Gorman, Ruby Bueckert, Kieran Scanlon, and Ty Stadnyk.

New clubhouse construction begins at Wildewood Golf Club

—Staff 1 minute read Preview

New clubhouse construction begins at Wildewood Golf Club

—Staff 1 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Construction has officially begun on a new clubhouse at Wildewood Golf Club (781 North Dr.), which was celebrated at an event by folks involved with the club and the City of Winnipeg on Oct. 14.

According to a release, the City is contributing a capital grant of $1 million for construction of the 2,300-square-foot clubhouse. The club leases the golf course from the City of Winnipeg, and has led planning and fundraising for the new structure.

The project broke ground in late July and is due to be completed in the spring of 2026. Features of the new clubhouse will include a full-service restaurant, an outdoor patio facing the ninth fairway, and a full pro shop, officials say.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Supplied photo courtesy of Wildewood Golf Club

An artist’s rendering of the new clubhouse.

Supplied photo courtesy of Wildewood Golf Club
                                An artist’s rendering of the new clubhouse.

Young football star leads by example

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

Young football star leads by example

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Brian Courchene is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at St. John’s High School.

“My favourite subjects are social studies and gym. The reason is because I like history and geography – it’s something that clicked for me ever since I was around eight or nine years old,” he says.

“With gym, well, I like sports. I like competition. I’m a very competitive kid. The love of competing, it’s just in me,” he explains.

Brian really, really enjoys playing sports.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Supplied photo

Brian Courchene plays football for the North Winnipeg Nomads.

Supplied photo
                                Brian Courchene plays football for the North Winnipeg Nomads.

Puck drops on 2025-26 WHSHL season

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Puck drops on 2025-26 WHSHL season

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Competition is already heating up in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s 2025-26 season.

“We’re underway, and hopefully Mother Nature will be nice to us and we won’t have to cancel many games,” WHSHL president Dana Gordon said.

The Vincent Massey Trojans will be looking to defend the title in the league’s Platinum Promotions Division, as well as the AAAA provincial championship. But the Trojans will face tough competition from perennial powerhouse schools such as Oak Park, River East, Selkirk, St. Paul’s, Sturgeon Heights, and hungry squads from Miles Macdonell, Steinbach, Collège Jeanne-Sauvé, Garden City, Westwood, Béliveau, and Shaftesbury (which moves up to the league’s top rung after winning the Winnipeg Free Press Division championship last season).

“We’ve seen some shifts, some schools from Winnipeg Free Press Division have moved up, and some from Platinum down to Price,” Gordon said. “You can have really strong team one year, but if you’re starting from scratch, with graduations and all that, then you’ve got a rebuild.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Free Press file photo by John Woods

The Vincent Massey Trojans will be looking to defend both its Winnipeg High School Hockey League and provincial boy’s AAAA title this season as the puck dropped earlier this month on the WHSHL 2025-26 regular season.

Free Press file photo by John Woods
                                The Vincent Massey Trojans will be looking to defend both its Winnipeg High School Hockey League and provincial boy’s AAAA title this season as the puck dropped earlier this month on the WHSHL 2025-26 regular season.

New MWHSHL season underway

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

New MWHSHL season underway

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

The puck has dropped on the 2025-26 Manitoba Women’s High School League season, and the annual excitement generated by a fresh new chapter is in the air.

The year’s edition of the league features 29 teams — the largest number in the league’s history — as well as a structural change. This season, the MWHSHL will feature a Division 1/2 East, a Division 1/2 West, and a Division 3.

Brad Nechwediuk, the league’s president, explained the change was brought about by “the amount of teams that requested each division.”

The leagues will divide into Divisions 1 and 2 for playoffs later in the season, he said.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

File photo

The CJS Olympiens celebrated winning the 2024-25 MWHSHL league championship and the Wayne Thompson Cup at Seven Oaks Arena in March. The 2025-26 season is already under way.

File photo
                                The CJS Olympiens celebrated winning the 2024-25 MWHSHL league championship and the Wayne Thompson Cup at Seven Oaks Arena in March. The 2025-26 season is already under way.

New basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre named for Chad Posthumus

FP Community Review 2 minute read Preview

New basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre named for Chad Posthumus

FP Community Review 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

On Oct. 10, the Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Sea Bears, and the Posthumus family gathered for the dedication of a new basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre named for the late Chad Posthumus.

Posthumus, who grew up in East St. Paul and played professional basketball overseas, was the first signed player and captain of the Sea Bears. He died on Nov. 20, 2024 at the age of 33, from complications following a brain aneurysm.

“Chad Posthumus was an outstanding athlete and an even better person,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement. “Chad left a positive lasting impact on every person in his life, and it is fitting that the Chad Posthumus Memorial Court will leave a lasting impact in the community he grew up playing basketball in.”

The new court is part of recent upgrades at Gateway Recreation Centre (1717 Gateway Rd.), including four new pickleball courts with sport court surfacing, paved pathways, bike racks, seating areas, chain-link fencing, landscaping, and improved site drainage. The project cost $569,000, with $138,000 from the city’s parks and recreation enhancement program, $132,000 funded through the province’s Building Sustainable Communities fund, and $299,000 from the city’s land dedication reserve fund.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Supplied photo

On Oct. 10, the Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Sea Bears, and the Posthumus family gathered to recognize the dedication of a new basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre (1717 Gateway Rd.) after the late Chad Posthumus. Pictured, Chad’s parents, brother and sister, along with Mayor Gillingham, Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), Minister Tracy Schmidt, David Asper, and other friends of the family.

Supplied photo
                                On Oct. 10, the Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Sea Bears, and the Posthumus family gathered to recognize the dedication of a new basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre (1717 Gateway Rd.) after the late Chad Posthumus. Pictured, Chad’s parents, brother and sister, along with Mayor Gillingham, Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), Minister Tracy Schmidt, David Asper, and other friends of the family.

Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame to induct class of 2025

T. Kent Morgan 3 minute read Preview

Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame to induct class of 2025

T. Kent Morgan 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

The Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame will hold its annual induction dinner on Oct. 18 at The Gates on Roblin in Headingly. The 2025 induction class is small with just three builders, Christopher Chapman, Larry Cherrett and Sonja Hill MacAulay.

In the majority of sports, individuals inducted into a hall of fame as builders usually got their start as players. Their love of their sport often saw them move into coaching or administrative roles. That’s certainly the case for the three rugby inductees, whose resumes are lengthy.

Chapman first played rugby at Churchill High School. He then played for the Winnipeg Assassins Rugby Football Club for nearly two decades as well as for the Wimbledon Old Boys. He was member of the provincial U19 team in 1987 and for the Manitoba Buffalo in 1998. He became involved with the administrative side in 1988 with the Assassins where he served in several positions including president. He also started coaching at Churchill High in 1988. At present he coaches at Dakota Collegiate and the Rugby Manitoba Men’s Sevens. He also has worked in administration with Rugby Manitoba, Manitoba Schools Rugby, Unified Ultimate Rugby and Maple Grove Rugby Park.

Cherrett first played for the Winnipeg Wanderers RFC in 1970. In 1973, he along with Tom Millar and Desmond Walton founded the University of Manitoba Rugby Football Club, now known as the Manitoba Wombats. He played for the team until 1984 and then ended his playing career with the Assassins the next season. Over the years, he worked as a volunteer for many organizations and served as president of the U of M RFC, Rugby Manitoba and the Maple Grove Rugby Park where he was a member of the founders committee. In 1999, he helped coach a combined Vincent Massey/Kelvin side, which won the high school championship. For more than a decade, he co-chaired the HOF selection committee.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Supplied photo

Christopher Chapman will be inducted into the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame as a builder on Oct. 18.

Supplied photo
                                Christopher Chapman will be inducted into the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame as a builder on Oct. 18.

Northwest by southeast?

Ryan Desjarlais 6 minute read Preview

Northwest by southeast?

Ryan Desjarlais 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

The extended warm days this autumn inspired me to squeeze in a few more road trips before I need to break out the winter tires.

Having spent a great deal of time in the southwest of our province earlier this summer, I chose to explore the southeastern corner recently. Travelling along the Trans-Canada, I saw the sign for East Braintree and highway 308. I have never been down this path before, so I turned off. I recommend this drive!

About an hour into my journey, I was faced with a fork in the road; the junction of PTH 525 East. This road starts out as a provincial roadway, but about 10 kilometres in, it becomes a Minnesota state road! Yes, this is the famous Northwest Angle of the North Star State. There is not much here; a post office, a few fishing lodges, a restaurant, and a cute nine hole golf course!

If you are not familiar with the Northwest Angle, it is a part of Minnesota that is separated from the main state by the Lake of the Woods. North of this peninsula, across the inlet, lies Ontario. The west edge is Manitoba’s border. South and east lies the waters called Big and Little Traverse Bays of the aforementioned LOTW. Boats and snowmobiles, within their respective seasons, are the easiest way to get to this area. Getting there by car, however, is a one road option in the summer, and that road only goes through Canada.

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Photo by Ryan Desjarlais

The Northwest Angle Country Club uses sand greens, as they are easier to maintain than grass.

Photo by Ryan Desjarlais
                                The Northwest Angle Country Club uses sand greens, as they are easier to maintain than grass.

St. Vital youngster’s soccer dreams

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

St. Vital youngster’s soccer dreams

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Danilo Lourenco is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Darwin School.

“School is going well for me,” Danilo said. “I’m getting good grades and my favourite subjects are science and math. I really enjoy science class because my teacher, Mr. Vince, made the classes very entertaining, which kept us engaged in the subject he was teaching. Also, I really enjoy math class because I seem to be a numbers guy and pick up the concepts pretty quickly.”

Danilo really enjoys playing sports.

“The sports that I play primarily are soccer and hockey,” he said. “I also enjoy playing pick-up basketball and football with my friends when we get a game going. I’m mainly focused on soccer because it is my favourite sport. I enjoy soccer because it is the sport I am best at and I have made many good friends that I hope to remain friends with in the future. My main position is CAM (central attacking midfielder), although I feel comfortable playing anywhere the coach needs me. I play for Bonivital. I am being coached by coach Tony Fonseca, and coach Cary McNab. I feel very fortunate to have had all these coaches as I feel they have all contributed to my development thus far. I have to also mention coach Xaviar and coach Kris who run some of our practices at Bonivital. I feel grateful to have had many awesome teammates on all my teams.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Supplied photo

Danilo Lourenco is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Darwin School who dreams of playing soccer professionally.

Supplied photo
                                Danilo Lourenco is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Darwin School who dreams of playing soccer professionally.

Building a team

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 6 minute read Preview

Building a team

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

The halls at Windsor Park Collegiate are looking a little more purple these days.

That’s because the school’s community is celebrating the inaugural season of its junior varsity football team.

“After many months of planning, hiring, purchasing, and practising, we are ready to hit the field for our inaugural game,” said Robbie Mager, Windsor Park Collegiate’s principal, on the eve of the Royals’ first game, which was on Sept. 9.

Fast forward to Sept. 23 and the excitement was continuing to build, as the team prepared for its third game of the season.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Bonivital S.C. scholarship applications still open

FP Community Review staff 1 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

There’s still a window to apply for Bonivital Soccer Club’s scholarship.

According to the club’s website, the scholarship is intended to support young athletes — who are Bonivital players — who wish to continue taking part in soccer while pursuing a full-time, post-secondary education.

The scholarship is $1,000, and one each will be awarded to players representing: U17 girls’ premier; U17 boys’ premier; U18 girls’ recreational; and U18 boys’ recreational.

There is a number of criteria for applicants to be eligible for a scholarship, organizers say.

‘You have to have that fighting spirit’

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

‘You have to have that fighting spirit’

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Alexus Lee knows a thing or two about winning medals.

The 14-year-old table tennis sensation has brought home a collection of medals this year competing for Team Manitoba, and she wasn’t the only player from the province to bring home the bling and make Manitoba proud. Alexus’ 16-year-old sister, Victoria, has also been among the medallists.

Space might preclude a full list of the results throughout the season, but according to Carlos Cuadra, the executive director of the Manitoba Table Tennis Association, Manitoba collected four bronze medals and one silver medal in the following categories at the 2025 Canadian Championships, which were held at the Richmond Olympic Oval in B.C. this summer.

These include bronze in the senior women’s doubles — Alexus Lee and Victoria Lee; bronze in the girls’ singles U-15 — Alexus Lee; bronze in the girls’ singles U-19 – Alexus Lee; bronze in girls’ singles U-17 — Victoria Lee; and silver in the girls’ team U-15 — Alexus Lee and Rhea Liu.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Supplied photo

Table tennis sensation Alexus Lee, pictured here, has a bright future in the sport after winning a number of accolades this year.

Supplied photo
                                Table tennis sensation Alexus Lee, pictured here, has a bright future in the sport after winning a number of accolades this year.

Williamson left a mark on U.S. hockey

T. Kent Morgan 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Murray Williamson, a Manitoban who made a major impact on hockey in the United States, died in the Twin Cities on Sept. 15 at age 91. At the time of his death, he was described as a hockey legend and a trailblazer whose contributions shaped the sport in the United States for decades. He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Manitoba Hockey Hall as a builder in 2009.

Williamson was born in Winnipeg where he played junior hockey for the St. Boniface Canadiens of the MJHL. He was also an excellent junior baseball player with the Winnipeg Buffaloes. His journey to U.S. hockey glory began when he was scouted by University of Minnesota head coach Johnny Mariucci while playing senior in Mariucci’s hometown of Eveleth, Minn. He was approached about joining the Gophers while shooting pool in a pool room owned by Mariucci’s former Chicago Black Hawks teammate goalie Mike Karakas. Williamson had been thinking about attending the University of Michigan.

Mariucci always focused on recruiting players from Minnesota rather than bring in players from out-of-state and Canada, so making an offer to Williamson was unusual. The Winnipeg forward joined the Gophers for three seasons and was an All-American in 1958-59 when he led the team in both goals and assists. That season the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux beat Michigan State 4-3 in overtime to win its first NCAA championship. Winnipeg’s Steve Thullner and Ralph Lyndon played for UND with defenceman Lyndon contributing a goal and an assist in the victory. Barry Thorndycraft, Williamson’s teammate on the 1953-54 St. Boniface Canadiens, was an assistant coach.

In his role as a coach and a builder is where Williamson made his mark. He served as head coach of the U.S. National Team from 1966-67 to 1971-72 and coached the team in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics. Henry Boucha from Warroad, MN, who played for the junior Winnipeg Jets in 1969-70, played for the U.S. in the 1971 World Championship and was the team’s leading scorer in 1971-72. Flin Flon’s George Konik, who settled in the Twin Cities after his outstanding career at the University of Denver, was captain of the National Team in 1970-71 when the team finished sixth. The former Flin Flon Bomber defenceman, a 2011 Manitoba Hockey Hall inductee, wasn’t eligible to play for the States in the Olympics.

J.H. Bruns alumna off to TWU

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

J.H. Bruns alumna off to TWU

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

Isabella Johnston is a 17-year-old who recently graduated from J.H. Bruns Collegiate.

“I really enjoyed high school,” she said. “All of my classes went very well and I was able to achieve honours with distinction each year. My favourite class is chemistry. I love the math component to chemistry and I really enjoyed learning about the building blocks of matter.”

Isabella is an incredibly well rounded athlete who is a natural leader.

“In high school I played volleyball, hockey, flag football, indoor and outdoor soccer, and competed in track and field,” she said. “I was the co-captain of my hockey team with my best friend. I was also captain of the flag football team, and our indoor and outdoor soccer teams. Outside of high school, I played club soccer for 1V1 Futbol Dreams Academy, and FC Manitoba.”

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Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

Supplied photo

J.H. Bruns Collegiate alumna Isabella Johnston is now playing soccer for Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.

Supplied photo
                                J.H. Bruns Collegiate alumna Isabella Johnston is now playing soccer for Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.

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