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JACOB MALLARI / UBC ATHLETICS Winnipeg’s Jill Matsubara is having a breakout season in her sophomore year with the UBC Thunderbirds that will be capped off by playing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball World Series this week.

Infielder Matsubara playing big role in UBC’s historic run

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:54 PM CDT

Jill Matsubara has been on the road for the last two weeks, but she’s not itching to return home.

If things go her way, she’ll happily continue to live out of her suitcase.

You see, the Winnipeg-born sophomore infielder is in the midst of a historic run with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, who are preparing for their first appearance in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Softball World Series in Columbus, Ga., this week.

It took a few timely hits and some good fortune for the Thunderbirds to reach the national championship tournament, but for Matsubara, this was the inevitable next step for the program after reaching the NAIA Championship Opening Round tournament — which precedes the World Series — for the first time last year.

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SUPPLIED Those who knew his career beleive there’s ‘no question’ that late Indigenous basketball player Alex Garrow should be inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Indigenous hoopster’s son on mission to get dad inducted into Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Indigenous hoopster’s son on mission to get dad inducted into Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Thursday, May. 14, 2026

Terry Garrow already received his flowers. Now he’s on a mission to make sure his late father gets his.

By his estimation, his father has been overlooked for far too long when it comes to recognizing the most influential players, fearless leaders and forward-thinking builders who have helped shape Canadian basketball.

He understands that his pleas come from a point of bias, but that doesn’t change the facts in his mind: Alex Garrow deserves to be in the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Not for the success he experienced during a short career in the early 1960s, but for his resilience as a trailblazer during a time in which Indigenous athletes were largely an afterthought. And how fitting it would be for Alex to be the first Indigenous player immortalized.

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Thursday, May. 14, 2026

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BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Archers Khushreet Sandhu (left) and Laganjot Sandhu will be representing Canada at the 2026 Pan American Youth Championships in Medellín, Colombia from May 22 to 28.

Sandhu siblings two of four Manitobans heading to Pan Am Youth Championships

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Sandhu siblings two of four Manitobans heading to Pan Am Youth Championships

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

It’s become evident that Khushreet and Laganjot Sandhu hit the bullseye when choosing which sport they would dedicate themselves to for the foreseeable future.

The Winnipeg siblings haven’t been in Archery very long — Khushreet started three years ago, Laganjot two — but there’s a consensus that they are both on a rocket ship trajectory up the local, national, and possibly global ranks.

“I just kind of got into the rhythm, and I really fell in love with it,” said 12-year-old Laganjot, who was drawn to a bow and arrow shortly after watching his sister. “But also on the competitive side, I really wanted to get better than my sister at it.”

It doesn’t matter if it’s their studies or in sports, the siblings are as competitive as it gets, and it’s fostered some tremendous individual success.

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Wednesday, May. 13, 2026

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SUPPLIED The Brandon Wheat Kings took defenceman Marko Malbasa of St. Andrews in the second round of the Western Hockey League Prospects Draft. Malbasa was one of 15 Manitobans drafted to the league.

Six players from Oak Bluff-based prep team chosen by Western Hockey League in Prospect Draft

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Six players from Oak Bluff-based prep team chosen by Western Hockey League in Prospect Draft

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

The way Marty Murray sees it, the Brandon Wheat Kings essentially came away with the equivalent of two first-round picks from the Western Hockey League Prospect Draft last week.

The head coach and general manager of the Wheat Kings conceded that he and his scouting staff gave some consideration to choosing defenceman Marko Malbasa of St. Andrews 18th overall before ultimately going with forward Rylan Edwards in that spot.

Fortunately for the Wheat Kings, by the time they made their next selection in the second round at 42nd overall, Malbasa — who played for the Rink Hockey Academy U15 Prep program last season — was still available.

“We felt really lucky to get him where we did,” Murray said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon. “Big body. Good character, being a captain. He does everything pretty well. He can play heavy and play defensive and he can provide some offence.”

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Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

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Bisons Athletics Photo Volleyball has been a lifeline for Karil Dadash-Adeh (7), the Manitoba Bison who just signed a pro league contract with Italian club Pallavolo Macerata.

Volleyball a lifeline for Manitoba Bisons’ Dadash-Adeh

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Volleyball a lifeline for Manitoba Bisons’ Dadash-Adeh

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Monday, May. 11, 2026

Karil Dadash-Adeh’s story isn’t an easy one for him to tell.

The 24-year-old is deliberate with every word he speaks when revealing how he fled Iran five years ago and went AWOL on a mandatory two-year military service to chase a dream in volleyball.

In a world where you never know who is reading, he is certain to maintain his family’s safety.

The decision to leave home was justifiably challenging for a then 19-year-old phenom, but Dadash-Adeh knew that his only other option could kill him and almost certainly spike any ambition that he had on the court.

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Monday, May. 11, 2026

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Mike Aporius / Free Press Manitoba Fearless rookie quarterback Tianna Hutter has been handed the reins to the Western Women’s Canadian Football League team’s offence, which struggled last season.

Hutter not afraid to step up in lead role as team prepares for Western Women’s Canadian Football League season kickoff

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Preview

Hutter not afraid to step up in lead role as team prepares for Western Women’s Canadian Football League season kickoff

Joshua Frey-Sam 8 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Tianna Hutter hopes to be a member of Manitoba’s law enforcement one day so she can help those in need.

It’s a fitting career choice for a young woman who says she’s never been afraid to take a lead role when others are in distress.

This summer, the 18-year-old Winnipegger is being asked to revitalize the Manitoba Fearless, who have been handcuffed by their offence for a couple of seasons and are adamant about returning to their winning ways.

The first-year quarterback has shown promise for a club that went 1-3 before getting bounced at home in the first round of playoffs in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League last season — the largest women’s tackle football league in Canada.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

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SASHA SEFTER / FREE PRESS FILES June can be one of the best months for action and species, as fish typically start to feed aggressively in shallow water.

Angling for cost-effective fishing trip straightforward

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Preview

Angling for cost-effective fishing trip straightforward

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Where a fishing trip may have previously been considered a predictable and consistent event that occurred year after year, unforeseen economic stressors are forcing many anglers to re-examine where our dollars go.

As well, there will always be people looking to book their first ever trip, either because there is an interest, a special event or people are staying closer to home in this new economic landscape.

The good news is that all is not lost because the opportunity to successfully plan a rewarding trip to northwest Ontario doesn’t have to be expensive, difficult or tricky.

For the context of this column, short term rentals really can be the angler’s best pathway and represent the lowest barrier to entry. Airbnb is our friend, and there are dozens of places to stay that we can navigate to, view photos, message owners and read reviews. The website is safe and does a good job protecting the consumer where deposits are refundable — subject to date limitations — and both guest and host are insured.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

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DAVID MILLAR PHOTO Winnipeg road cyclist Adam Smith — a climbing specialist — finds himself in the middle of a breakout season overseas.

Winnipeg cyclist Smith having breakout season with pro stage race debut

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Winnipeg cyclist Smith having breakout season with pro stage race debut

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Monday, May. 4, 2026

Clara Hughes. Leah Kirchmann. Adam Smith?

It might be a bit ambitious to place his name among some of the most accomplished athletes in Manitoba’s rich — and likely underrated — road cycling history right now, but Smith, a 19-year-old from Winnipeg, is providing every reason to believe that he could be well on his way.

You see, Smith, a climber cyclist, has ascended steadily both nationally and internationally over the last few seasons, and now finds himself in the middle of a breakout season overseas that could yield a professional contract sooner than later and catapult his career to new heights.

Smith recently raced on the mountainous terrains of Asturias, Spain, in the Vuelta Asturias UCI 2.1 road race — a four-stage professional event that featured some of the best riders in the world — and did more than hold his own, especially early on.

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Monday, May. 4, 2026

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RICH LAM / UBC ATHLETICS PHOTO Former Vincent Massey Trojan Olivia Weekes paints every corner of the UBC Thunderbirds’ basketball history books: fourth all-time in UBC’s Canada West scoring (1,239 points), second in total rebounds (751), top 10 in steals (151 — eighth), blocks (50 — ninth) and minutes played (2,489 — ninth), and holds the women’s program record for free throws made (331).

Weekes crushing it in Land Down Under

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Weekes crushing it in Land Down Under

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

Dave Taylor has a funny way of describing what makes Olivia Weekes a rare breed on the basketball court.

“I say this in the nicest possible way, and really in kind of a positive coaching way: she’s a bit of a cheater,” said Taylor, who coached the 5-11 guard this past season, her last with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

It’s a nod to Weekes’ elite competitive nature, which shone on the courts of Winnipeg and led to a stellar run in high school with the Vincent Massey Trojans before she was recruited west, where she starred for five years with the Thunderbirds.

“If we’re doing a drill in practice, we’re keeping score, and as soon as we’re keeping score, she wants to win,” added Taylor. “And if it means she’s got to push her teammate out of the way or foul to win, she’s going to do it.”

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Friday, May. 1, 2026

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RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES A lifelong advocate for improving sport environment, retiring President and CEO of Sport Manitoba Janet McMahon helped take Safe Sport from a concept to law — the Manitoba government passing the Protecting Youth in Sports Act on April 1.

Sport Manitoba’s influential president and CEO McMahon to retire

Thomas Friesen 9 minute read Preview

Sport Manitoba’s influential president and CEO McMahon to retire

Thomas Friesen 9 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

Janet McMahon helped build Sport Manitoba from the ground up, without forgetting where she came from.

The approach she took to her first job at Westman Sport to the inception of Sport Manitoba in 1996 to today as the organization’s president and CEO, is straightforward.

“What stands out for me the most is Janet’s passion for sport — her passion for sport from the perspective of, ‘The athlete comes first,’” said Jeff Hnatiuk, the province’s deputy minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism.

“In Janet’s mind, it was always, ‘What’s best for the athlete?’”

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Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

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ZACHARY PETERS PHOTO Manitoba Bisons’ Tyrell Davis is the reigning men’s 60-metre national champ. He said being on the national team alongside the likes of Canadian track greats is a “surreal” feeling.

Track runner Davis sporting Maple Leaf again alongside Canadian greats

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Track runner Davis sporting Maple Leaf again alongside Canadian greats

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

Living in a world that is predicated on speed, Tyrell Davis has seen just how fast life can change.

The Winnipeg sprinter is in the midst of a whirlwind start to the calendar year that no one, including him, could have predicted, especially when considering how it all started.

Davis sped to Canadian university gold in the men’s 60-metre event at the U Sports championship in March, then swapped his Manitoba Bisons singlet for one with the Maple Leaf, as he represented Canada in Poland and Louisiana for the World Athletics Indoor Championships and World Relay Camp, respectively, in the following weeks.

Now, the 21-year-old is back in Canadian colours as one of the youngest of 29 Canadians in Gaborone, Botswana, for the World Athletics Relays this weekend (May 2-3).

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Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

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THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Team Canada’s Audrey Vandervelden, left, and teammate Betty Baxter during 1976 Olympic games in Montreal against Peru.

Recognition five decades later for Manitobans who helped usher Canada onto Olympic stage

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Recognition five decades later for Manitobans who helped usher Canada onto Olympic stage

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

It’s been five decades, but the memories remain vivid for a trio of Manitobans that helped the country make volleyball history at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

“I remember the incredible feeling of walking into Olympic Stadium and just the roar (of the crowd),” said Connie Lebrun, now 71 and living in Edmonton, recalling the opening ceremonies.

“That was just like the most incredible feeling, and I still always get chills on my spine when I hear the Canadian anthem.”

Lebrun, Mary Dempster and Claire Lloyd all wore the Maple Leaf at those Games when Canada made its debut in the sport.

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Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

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The Niverville Nighthawks celebrate their victory in the Turnbull Cup in front of a crowd of 1,300 hockey fans, Thursday. (Cassidy Dankochik / The Carillon)

Nighthawks complete sweep

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Nighthawks complete sweep

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Apr. 24, 2026

VIRDEN — They grow up so fast, don’t they?

The Niverville Nighthawks may be the newest kids on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League block. But they didn’t need much time to show they’re a force to be reckoned with.

A magical regular season — the second-best in league history, in fact — has been capped off with the prestigious Turnbull Cup.

Niverville finished off a four-game sweep of the Virden Oil Capitals Thursday night with an impressive 6-2 victory inside Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

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Friday, Apr. 24, 2026

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SAM KEEN PHOTO If Manitoba Bisons freshman Dante Dyck (2) impresses the Vancouver Bandits at the invite-only combine this weekend, the guard could be invited to the team’s training camp that begins May 5 with a chance to make the club’s active roster.

Bisons’ Dyck, Lenz to attend Vancouver’s invite-only combine

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Bisons’ Dyck, Lenz to attend Vancouver’s invite-only combine

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

There are no guaranteed job interviews in professional basketball after university. So the fact that Winkler’s Dante Dyck has already landed two before turning 20 could be telling of just how high his ceiling is.

The talented Manitoba Bisons guard is one of nearly 40 student-athletes from post-secondary programs across North America who will head west this weekend to take part in the Vancouver Bandits’ inaugural university combine at the Langley Events Centre.

Dyck will take the court with Bisons teammate Brandt Lenz for the invite-only combine, which is the first of its kind in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Select players will be invited to run in the Bandits training camp, beginning May 5, where they will have a chance to make the team’s active roster.

Although Dyck, coming off a redshirt freshman season, could be one of the youngest in the crop, he might also be one of the most comfortable in a professional setting.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

Olympics

New fresh grass is grown for a world-class cricket pitch at the Pomona Fairplex on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, seen during the groundbreaking of the new Knight Riders Cricket Field, which will serve as the Los Angeles Knight Riders' official home field for 2026 and later host cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

New cricket stadium in Southern California heralds the sport’s Olympic return after 128 years

Deepa Bharath, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

New cricket stadium in Southern California heralds the sport’s Olympic return after 128 years

Deepa Bharath, The Associated Press 7 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s been 126 years since cricket — the second most watched sport in the world — made an appearance in the Olympics. That’s about to change in 2028.

On Wednesday, shovels hit the ground in Pomona, a city in the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, where construction has begun for a 10,000-plus capacity premier cricket stadium. It will serve as the venue for men’s and women’s games, played by six teams in each competition.

The stadium is being erected in the Fairplex fairgrounds as the home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, a professional Major League Cricket team owned by the Mumbai-based Knight Riders Sports. The company is co-led by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

The groundbreaking kicked off with a “bhumi pujan,” a ritual rooted in Hindu tradition, which often marks the start of a construction project as a way of seeking divine blessings and forgiveness for disturbing the earth.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The city announced Wednesday morning that Windsor Park Golf Course, along with the three other city-owned links (Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive and Canoe Club) will open to the public on Saturday, April 24, for the season.

Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

Despite a few remaining snow mounds and some standing water in areas, golf courses in and around Winnipeg have started teeing it up for the season, with many more expected to follow in the coming days.

One of the first to open was Shooters Family Golf Centre, which has become notorious for its quick jump into the outdoor season.

Owner Guido Cerasani opened the back nine for the first time on April 15, but was forced to close it again owing to Mother Nature taking another swing at low temperatures and snowfall. All 18 holes have been available for walking players since Monday, and Cerasani said enthusiasts have taken full advantage.

“Big time. (Tuesday) and (Monday), it was like full-bore summertime,” said Cerasani, who opened his driving range on March 27, then again on April 2.

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Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

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