Sports – Our Communities

Supplied photo by Noel Kendle
Scott Dixon, executive director of the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, is pictured at WYSA’s Chancellor Matheson Road base. WYSA’s flagship annual tournament, the Golden Boy, runs Feb. 12 to 16 at four venues across the city.

A golden opportunity

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Hundreds of soccer teams from across the city and beyond are preparing to take part in the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association’s flagship indoor tournament, the Golden Boy.

The five-day event, which runs Feb. 12 to 16. will be held at four venues — Seven Oaks Soccer Plex (725 Kingsbury Ave.); U of W Axworthy Health & RecPlex (400 Spence St.); South WSF Soccer Complex (211 Chancellor Matheson Rd.); and North WSF Soccer Complex (770 Leila Ave.).

“We are very proud, as it’s always a fantastic tournament,” said Scott Dixon, executive director of WYSA.

Dixon said the event will showcase 154 teams this year, which is four more than last year — and more than 50 of the teams taking part are coming from outside Winnipeg.

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Lancers lead the way

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 6 minute read Preview

Lancers lead the way

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

It may be early in the high school basketball season, but Dakota Collegiate is looking like the school to beat.

At press time, Dakota’s boys and girls varsity teams were both ranked No. 1 in the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s AAAA Top 10s.

The Lancers girls team was undefeated in league play at press time and has already won two tournaments — taking the Pembina Trails Bison Classic tourney in December by beating the defending provincial champion Vincent Massey Trojans 63-60 in the final, then doing it again at the St. Vital Invitational on Jan. 17, defeating Massey 60-51 in the final.

“I’ve been so fortunate to have a bunch of athletes come through this building who want to be next-level athletes after high school,” said varsity girls coach Eric Sung.

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Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Supplied photo by Rodger Lourenzo
Madi Rach, a Grade 11 player on the Dakota Lancers varsity girls basketball team, takes a shot at a recent game.

Running down a dream

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

Running down a dream

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Niko Parrott is a 20-year-old football player who is following the path of playing junior football before playing at university.

“I completed high school at Churchill High School, and I currently play in the Canadian Junior Football League as I prepare to transition into U Sports football,” he explained. Last season, Niko played running back for the Edmonton Wildcats in the Prairie Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League. In 2025, he played seven games and ran the ball 55 times for 360 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

“Right now, my main focus is football development and preparing for the next level,” he said. “I still take learning seriously, whether it’s through training, studying the game, or personal growth off the field. I plan to study criminology and then law.”

The six-foot, 210-pounder takes his football very seriously.

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Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

CJFL
After time in the CJFL, Winnipegger Niko Parrott aims to play university football.

Hurrying hard to nationals

Emma Honeybun STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Preview

Hurrying hard to nationals

Emma Honeybun STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

Evan Boutet technically started his curling career at two years old, if throwing paper towel rolls in the basement counts. Now, at age 16, the sport has become his life.

“I go to school, I go home, I curl,” he said.

It’s not an exaggeration. Boutet currently plays for three different teams — a provincial-champion U18 team out of Heather Curling Club, his undefeated high school team at College Béliveau, and a mixed doubles pair. He’s been skipping since he was 14, and currently skips all his teams. He’s also earned himself a partnership with Asham Curling Supplies, which supplies all of his competitive curling gear.

One way or another, the sport has followed him throughout his entire upbringing.

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Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

Photo by Emma Honeybun
(From left) Bryce Buchel, Luc Cormier, Evan Boutet and Quinn Lagacé will represent Manitoba at the 2026 Canadian U18 curling championships next month.

Remembering those we lost – part 2

T. Kent Morgan 4 minute read Preview

Remembering those we lost – part 2

T. Kent Morgan 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

In our second January column, Memories of Sport remembers more athletes, builders, and officials who died in 2025.

Curling historian Rick Mutton provided a list of deaths from the world of curling. A 2002 Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame inductee, Winston Warren curled for Canadian senior and masters champions and won provincial titles in four different categories. A 2020 HOF inductee, Ernie Oliver was a provincial stick-curling champion who was instrumental in promoting that version of the sport. Ken Sabad curled for a Canadian masters championship team from Souris in 2005.

Lorraine Byrnes, June Reece, Ken Davis, Roy Gorkoff Jr., Ray Machan, Myles Olmstead and Gordon Walker won provincial titles. Beryl Fallis served as the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association president in 1991-92 and became an honorary life member. Albert Bazinet, Evelyn Green, Ken Holland, Bart Jenner, and Wendell Keeler were other life members. Keeler also served as a director of the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame and Museum.

The softball community lost builders Al Mayer and George McBride. Mayer, a 2003 Manitoba Softball HOF inductee, coached or managed 15 different teams over a more than three-decade period and was instrumental in the formation of the junior Winnipeg Colonels team which won six consecutive provincial championships. A 2008 HOF inductee, McBride was a leader in men and women playing softball on the same team when he formed the Winnipeg Adult Coed Softball League, later the Winnipeg Adult Mixed Fastball League. The pioneer of the mixed game served as president for 23 seasons. McBride also hosted a sports show on cable TV for many years.

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Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

File photo
Former major-league pitcher Jeff Bittiger was a star pitcher for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in their inaugural 1994 season and later scouted for the team for 22 years.

Lancers looking to win it all

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Lancers looking to win it all

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

The Dakota Lancers boys hockey team is gearing up for a major playoff push to start the new year.

At press time, the Lancers held second place in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s Winnipeg Free Press Division with a 13-3-0 record and 39 points, trailing only the undefeated Collège Louis-Riel Voyageurs.

“We’re in great shape, having a great year,” said longtime coach Ray Agostino. “We’re a fast, disciplined team. Hardworking. We have a pretty well-balanced attack… We can beat teams in a few different areas, whether we need to play tight checking or score goals.”

Built around a core of 10 Grade 11 players, Dakota had the second-most goals-for and the fewest goals-against in the WFP Division.

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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Supplied photo
The Dakota Lancers boys hockey team is off to a solid start this season, going 13-3-0 in its first 16 games.

Growing the ‘beautiful game’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Growing the ‘beautiful game’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

There are big changes coming to how youth soccer programming is delivered in Manitoba.

The changes come at the direction of Canada Soccer, the sport’s national governing body, and are to be phased in over the next couple years, explained Hector Vergara, executive director of Soccer Manitoba.

The concepts and practices will be introduced to eight-to-10-year-old players this year, and 11-to-13-year-olds in the coming years.

“The idea behind it is to focus on development of the player, to ensure that at the end of the day the people participating in our programs are essentially receiving a consistent, safe, and nationally aligned experience,” Vergara said.

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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

File photo
Hector Vergara, executive director of Soccer Manitoba, said upcoming changes are intended to encourage to keep playing soccer longer.

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‘Never give up on your dreams’

Troy Westwood 2 minute read Preview

‘Never give up on your dreams’

Troy Westwood 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Mateo Soriano is a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at École Christine-Lespérance.

Like a lot of active young people, Mateo is a multi-sport athlete who enjoys soccer, volleyball, basketball, and golf.

“I focus mostly on soccer and volleyball,” he said. “I enjoy sports because they allow me to just think about whatever it is that I am playing. I also really enjoy spending time with my friends in the different sports I play.”

Mateo plays club soccer for Bonivital and this past season he changed positions – a big adjustment at any age, but one he appreciated.

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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Supplied photo
Mateo Soriano enjoys playing four different sports. He’s pictured here in his Bonivital Soccer Club uniform.

Sports in brief — week of Jan. 14, 2026

FP Community Review staff 2 minute read Preview

Sports in brief — week of Jan. 14, 2026

FP Community Review staff 2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Triathlon Manitoba releases 2026 race schedule

Triathlon Manitoba has released its 2026 race schedule, which offers races for those new to the sport, as well, as triathletes hoping to earn spots to compete nationally and internationally.

First up, on Saturday, Jan. 31, is the Beat the Cold winter triathlon, where participants can take on a five-kilometre run, bike, and skate on their own or as part of a relay team. Proceeds from the event will support 1JustCity’s Just a Warm Sleep emergency overnight shelter.

For more information on races as well as training programs, visit triathlonmanitoba.ca/events

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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

File photo
On Saturday, Jan. 31, Triathlon Manitoba will hold its Beat the Cold winter triathlon, where participants can take on a five-kilometre run, bike, and skate on their own or as part of a relay team.

Remembering those we lost in 2025

T. Kent Morgan 5 minute read Preview

Remembering those we lost in 2025

T. Kent Morgan 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

As we begin a new year, let’s take time to remember the members of the sports community whom we lost in 2025. The logical place to start is with the individuals or team members who have been inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame for their exploits on the playing field and/or their contributions as a builder of sport.

In 2019, Harold Mauthe was inducted as a builder of both basketball and football teams inducted into the HOF. He coached the Winnipeg Light Infantry teams that won the Canadian junior men’s basketball championship in 1952 and 1953. In football, he was the head coach of the Canadian intermediate champion St. Vital Bulldogs in 1960 and 1962. The WLI teams were inducted in 2005 and the Bulldogs in 2012. Mauthe played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1951 and 1952.

Faye Finch was a multi-sport inductee in 2013, who competed at the national level in softball, athletics, volleyball, team handball and touch football. Softball was her best sport, where her versatility with the bat and glove, combined with blazing speed, earned her induction into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. She also spent nearly three decades working for the Manitoba Sports Federation and Sport Manitoba.

Don Sewell was inducted as an athlete for rifle shooting in 1993. He was capped 19 times by Canada as a member of the national team. Winning the St. George’s Cross at Bisley in England in 1991 with a perfect score was considered his crowning achievement. He is an inducted member of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Hall of Fame.

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Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

File photo
Former Winnipeg Jets coach Tom McVie, who won the last WHA Avco Cup in 1979 and was the team’s first NHL bench boss, died on Jan. 19, 2025.

2025: The year in local sports

Sheldon Birnie, Simon Fuller,Emma Honeybun STAFF REPORTERS 4 minute read Preview

2025: The year in local sports

Sheldon Birnie, Simon Fuller,Emma Honeybun STAFF REPORTERS 4 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Lizzie Lanes provides bowling fun for Windsor Park

Almost 10 years after its predecessor, Windsor Lanes, closed its doors for good, Lizzie Lanes bowling alley opened a revamped version of the space at 678 Elizabeth Rd. in Windsor Park in December 2024. The beginning of 2025 was a strike for the business, as the surrounding community took to the new lanes with stride.

“It’s been really great,” said Jodie Patrick, who co-owns the space with her husband, Jeffrey, early in the year.

Alongside bowling, Lizzie Lanes was, for a time, the home base of the Winnipeg Cribbage Group, organized by Lyndon Demers. It also has a stage and space for people to lounge and connect with their neighbours.

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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

File photo by John Woods
Kildonan-East Reivers celebrate a win over the Dakota Lancers in the Manitoba High School 2025 AAAA Provincial Basketball Championship at the University of Manitoba on March 24, 2025.

2025: The year in local sports

Emma Honeybun, Sheldon Birnie, Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTERS 6 minute read Preview

2025: The year in local sports

Emma Honeybun, Sheldon Birnie, Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTERS 6 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Vincent Massey wins AAAA provincial hockey championship

The Vincent Massey Trojans captured the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s AAAA varsity boys’ provincial hockey championship on March 17 with a 3-2 victory in the final over the River East Kodiaks at Seven Oaks Arena.

Vincent Massey were also the top team in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s Platinum Promotions Division, beating the Westwood Warriors in the league final in two straight games of the best-of-three final, marking the first boys hockey championship for the Fort Garry-based school.

Garden City crowned co-ed curling champions

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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

File photo by John Woods
The Vincent Massey Trojans won the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s AAAA varsity boys provincial hockey championship on March 17.

‘Enjoy this time’

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

‘Enjoy this time’

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Dreyson Frazer is a 15-year-old Grade 10 French immersion student at Collège Beliveau.

He loves playing sports, and loves soccer the most.

“I play soccer for Bonivital Soccer Club. This year I will be playing at the U16 Premier level. I’m primarily focused on soccer because I’m most passionate about soccer. I have played school basketball and volleyball in past years, but last year committed fully to soccer,” Dreyson said.

“I love soccer because it allows me to participate in team sports, and I like how it tests my physical abilities as well as my technical skills. Being part of the soccer community is something I really value. My coaches at Bonivital are very supportive and are always encouraging us to try harder and challenge ourselves.

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Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Supplied photo
Dreyson Frazer plays at the premier level for Bonivital Soccer Club.

Rock now rolling in the ring

Tony Zerucha Special to FP Community Review 3 minute read Preview

Rock now rolling in the ring

Tony Zerucha Special to FP Community Review 3 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

While boxer Isaiah Rock’s 2025 didn’t always go according to plan, the year ended where he wanted it to —as Canadian champion.

Rock captured the gold medal in the 50-kilogram weight class at Boxing Canada’s 2025 Elite National Championships. Held in Winnipeg in late November, the match saw Rock outlast fellow Winnipegger Victor Cheung for the win.

The four-year veteran began 2025 on a good note after winning a silver medal at the 2024 Canadian National Championships in Sarnia, Ont. That close, 3-2 decision left Rock wanting more in 2025.

However, Rock suffered a serious back injury early in the year, leaving the 22-year-old pugilist out of action for four months.

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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Photo by Tony Zerucha
Isaiah Rock recently won a gold medal at the 2025 Elite national boxing championships, held in Winnipeg last month.

Raiders in the hunt for championship banner

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Raiders in the hunt for championship banner

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

The Oak Park Raiders are at the top of the Winnipeg High School Hockey League to end 2025, and that’s exactly where the team intends to be at season’s end.

“Since Day 1, the goal is to go the distance and be playing in the last game of the year,” coach Ian McDonald said. “That’s something we talk about weekly.”

In the WHSHL’s top Platinum Promotions Division, Oak Park held the top spot with a 13-1-2 record going into a Dec. 19 game against Lord Selkirk, though both Vincent Massey and Sturgeon Heights were within a pair of wins at press time.

“There are about four of us — Vincent Massey, Steinbach, Sturgeon Heights — where almost every game goes to extra time,” McDonald said. “Those are the teams that we’ll key in on. But any team can beat any team, that’s the strength of the league. Any game we’re not at our best, we can lose to anyone.”

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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

File photo
The Oak Park Raiders, pictured here in a file photo after winning the 2024 provincial high school championship, are hoping to bring the championship banner home again this season. The Charleswood-based school will host the AAAA provincial tournament in March.

Hockey hall honours vets’ class of 2025

T. Kent Morgan 4 minute read Preview

Hockey hall honours vets’ class of 2025

T. Kent Morgan 4 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

On Dec. 17, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame held its second veterans luncheon – an event devoted exclusively to individuals and teams that excelled in the sport at least 50 years ago. Four players, one builder, and one team were inducted into the HOF at a ceremony held in the Hockey for All Centre, where there is a gallery of previous inductees.

In 1985, the hall of fame’s inaugural class consisted of 70 players, 11 builders and 32 championship teams. Since then, and usually on a biennial basis, the hall has continued to induct worthy candidates. In the early years, research on inductees relied on word-of-mouth, oral histories, and laborious searches of newspaper archives. The internet changed that process, and it became apparent that many deserving candidates had been overlooked.

In 2015, a veterans research committee was established and since then a veteran or two has been recognized at the induction dinner. In 2023, when the HOF hosted its first luncheon dedicated solely to inductees put forth by the veterans committee, headed by board member John Jameson, players Paul Meger, Sonny Rost and Charles Tobin, and builder George Tackaberry were honoured. The 1956-57 Western Hockey League champion Brandon Regals and the 1959-60 to 1963-64 Brandon Wheat Kings juniors were added to the Wall of Champions.

The 2025 class of veterans is made up of players Harry Bueckert, Helge Bostrom, Ron Matthews, and Al Millar, builder J.D. Pratt, and the Winnipeg Olympics women’s team.

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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

February 3, 2026