Blue Bombers already excited about putting a dent in Rider Pride come Labour Day Classic

Jordan Younger was in the midst of breaking down the play of his defence when a question about how many times he’s participated in a Labour Day matchup was fired his way.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator started doing the math out loud and landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 or slightly higher, counting his time as a player and a coach.

As the Bombers prepare for a pivotal home-and-home series with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — beginning Sunday in Regina — Younger is more than happy to discuss what makes the matchup special, even after all of these years.

“If you had to show somebody what a regular season game could be like in the CFL that never have any idea, you would want to show them the Labour Day Classic out in Saskatchewan and the Banjo Bowl rematch back here,” said Younger. “It would give (observers) a great idea of how impactful the CFL game can be. They’re definitely fun games to be a part of.”

Tweed a historic figure in Winnipeg’s women’s soccer scene

With Winnipeg’s Northern Super League club debuting next year, helmed by footy greats Desiree Scott and Rob Gale, the history of the beautiful game in the Keystone province has been put in the spotlight.

Or, rather, Tony’s legacy has been.

Anthony Tweed always had a love for the game. Born in Cambridge, England, it came naturally. Tweed even attended the 1966 FIFA World Cup where England beat West Germany 4-2 in extra time to claim the first and only title for the country that invented the world’s most popular sport.

“Like all Englishmen, I just loved the game,” Tweed said.

Love of the rink blossomed differently for mother-daughter figure skaters

It’s said that home is where the heart is, and for Dana and Marrin McKee that has always been the rink.

The mother-daughter duo of figure skating coaches always find comfort lacing up in chilly arenas.

Dana McKee’s origin story was very similar to her daughter’s, having a strong motherly push onto the ice. Much like learning to swim or drive a car, Dana’s mother believed that skating was an important life skill that needed to be honed.

Growing up in Morris, McKee spent the majority of her youth in the CanSkate program — a developmental learn-to-skate stage teaching the basics of standing upright.

Winnipegger battles through partially torn MCL to claim U20 wrestling world title

Kaura Coles admits she’s not the strongest, fastest or most athletic amateur wrestler.

But that hasn’t stopped the 19-year-old from Winnipeg from becoming the best in the world.

Coles, representing London-Western Wrestling Club out of London, Ont., won gold in the 53-kg division at the U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Aug. 19.

She’s only the fifth Canadian to win a U20 world title.

Looking back on Bombers shocking, and convincing, win over CFL’s top team

It was getting harder and harder to believe in the 2026 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

If anyone outside their locker room picked them to beat the Montreal Alouettes, they must’ve kept it to themselves, as pundits — this one included — and armchair quarterbacks across the nation doubted their chances heading into Friday night.

And honestly, rightfully so. The Bombers had left a lot to be desired through their opening 10 games.

But no matter what the stats say or what outsiders think, they play the games for a reason.

Impact of Winnipeg hoops giant Laping went well beyond coaching

In life, few connected with others like Jeff Laping.

A legendary high school basketball coach and influential educator for more than 30 years, he was a figurative giant in Winnipeg’s hoops community with an innate ability to resonate with anyone he met.

Laping was a best friend to many, a confidant to others, and a mentor to even more.

He died on Monday, one week after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Men’s Wesmen basketball bench boss scouts fresh crop’s depth in pre-season series

Mike Raimbault didn’t take much time to bask in the triumph. His attention has already turned to a more elusive feat.

Bombers rookie Williams a hidden gem in the club’s secondary

Major Williams was far from a lock to make the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Goldeyes attest game-day rituals help their focus on the diamond

It seems the words routine and superstition blend together for the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

While the players have a set pre- and post-game timetable — whether or not they label all game-day routines as superstitions — it’s clear they have their own internal rules that must be followed.

For pitcher James Bradwell, though he believes he doesn’t have any crazy pre-game rituals that need to be upheld, he knows what works and sticks to it.

“I will always put my right sock on before my left, right cleat on before my left,” the North Vancouver product said, having only started these routines after joining the Fish.

Svard wins Manitoba Open in playoff

History will show Daniel Svard won the 2026 Manitoba Open on the 73rd hole of play, sinking a nervy three-foot par putt in a playoff to claim his first professional victory on Sunday afternoon at Elmhurst.

But it was much earlier in his final round — which started with three bogeys in the first five holes — where the tournament really was won. Or, more precisely, not lost.

“Pretty wild, the range of emotions I went through,” said the 23-year-old PGA Tour Americas rookie from Sweden, who began the day with a two-shot lead but suddenly found himself in chase mode.

“I was feeling really good and really confident and then I had kind of a nightmare start. I actually had to make some big putts to not completely play myself out of it. Everything kind of worked out in the end, but it was a roller-coaster to get there. I’m pretty excited and proud of how I got there to fight back.”

Winnipegger just one shot off the lead after opening round at Manitoba Open

Braxton Kuntz began the week not knowing if he’d even be able to play in the Manitoba Open.

The 22-year-old Winnipegger will head to Elmhurst early Friday morning just one shot off the lead — hanging tough with the heavyweights from PGA Tour Americas — after firing a fantastic five-under 65 Thursday afternoon.

“Playing in front of friends, family, a nice gallery watching out there…to start out like that, I’m putting myself in contention,” said Kuntz.

He didn’t realize just how close he was until the Free Press informed him that only Kentucky’s Drew Doyle, who has already won on tour earlier this season, had posted a better score among the 156-player field. Doyle shot a six-under 64.

Selkirk physiotherapist Pachal looks to finish strong at Natural Strongman Worlds

Over 250 competitors from 20 countries will descend on Paisley, Scotland, this week for the Natural Strongman Worlds. There the athletes will meet personal goals, test their endurance over a multiple-day event, and a winner from both the men’s and women’s division will be crowned the fittest of them all.

Selkirk’s own Tom Pachal will be competing in the under 80-kilogram weight class. Pachal has been surrounded by the fitness lifestyle his whole career, multitasking as a physiotherapist and owning the Iron Image Barbell Club in Selkirk.

“I’m very involved in the health, wellness, fitness, (and) rehabilitation community. I love being an overall active person and helping others,” Pachal said.

Starting off as a power lifter, Pachal was excited to transition over to the Strongman competitions, something that was less repetitive and more unpredictable.

Rookie defensive lineman’s history hits just as hard

Michael Fletcher hasn’t exactly been able to ease into things since bringing his talents up north.

All sports in the line of fire as summer weather heats up

With such freezing winters, warm weather is usually welcomed with open arms here in the Keystone province. But it’s hard to be grateful for rising temperatures when sunny days turn into torturous heat.

Internationally, athletes have been affected by the rising heat, smoke or storms that viciously blunder through. This year alone the weather has impacted everything from the Tour de France to the men’s FIFA World Cup.

Locally, the U18 Football Canada Cup had to delay multiple games well into the night and there have been repetitive tarp deployments during Winnipeg Goldeyes games.

Jared Ladobruk, executive director of Golf Manitoba, has seen the impact over the last couple of years.

Sea Bears finish on top

Beauty. Bliss. Ecstasy.

That is how Aug. 15, 2026 will be remembered in Winnipeg.

What was once a pipe dream in the city’s hoops community became an epic reality on Saturday, when Simon Hildebrandt, who grew up playing on the courts of this very town, made good on a three-pointer from the wing to crown the Winnipeg Sea Bears Canadian Elite Basketball League champions.

A storybook ending to a 98-84 victory over the Brampton Honey Badgers sent a CEBL attendance record of 12,519 fans into pandemonium at Canada Life Centre and capped a Finals run for the ages — one that was fraught with injury, impromptu player exits and unprecedented circumstances.