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Sevillano picks Notre Dame

Mike Sawatzky 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:55 PM CDT

Sean Sevillano Jr. admitted the decision was difficult, but ultimately satisfying.

On Friday, the 6-2, 300-pound nose tackle from West St. Paul did what many young football players from Manitoba can only dream about when he confirmed he will be attending the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship.

Sevillano will head to the South Bend, Ind., campus in 2024, rebuffing more than two dozen NCAA Division offers from schools including Ohio State University, Miami, Kansas and Auburn.

Notre Dame, a private Catholic institution, made a big impression on Sevillano, who was raised Catholic.

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Barracudas taking nothing for granted in provincial fast-pitch tourney

Donald Stewart 3 minute read Preview

Barracudas taking nothing for granted in provincial fast-pitch tourney

Donald Stewart 3 minute read Thursday, Jun. 1, 2023

The undefeated Collège Béliveau Barracudas varsity girls fast-pitch team is aiming for a provincial title this weekend — avenging a semifinal loss a year ago.

The Barracudas are in a field of 12 teams set to compete in the Manitoba High Schools Athletics Association championship, Friday and Saturday in Ile des Chenes.

Head coach Jeremie Gauvin said Thursday despite his team’s perfect record, no one is taking the competition lightly.

“I think, if anything, we’re the underdogs, to be honest. We play really stiff competition with the country teams. They’ve got a lot of talent out there. They are good, well-coached teams,” said Gauvin.

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Thursday, Jun. 1, 2023

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Collège Béliveau Barracudas pitcher Megan Johnston is more excited than nervous about the provincial playoffs.

Manitoba hitting above its weight on national volleyball team

Donald Stewart 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba hitting above its weight on national volleyball team

Donald Stewart 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 31, 2023

While Manitoba comprises just one of 13 provinces and territories in Canada, the prairie province accounted for one quarter of the athletes named to the roster for the Under-21 men’s national volleyball team.

Spencer Grahame, Samuel Ludwig, Jonah Dueck and Josh Jehle were named to the 16-man roster for the U21 national squad that will compete in the the NORCECA Men’s U21 Pan American Cup from June 3-11 in Havana, Cuba, and the FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships from July 7-16 in Manama, Bahrain.

Not only do they hail from Manitoba, they all play for the University of Manitoba Bisons. The Bison athletes will be joined by their head coach Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig and their assistant coach Mike Stephens who were announced as the U21 head coach and assistant coach, respectively. Lupo Ludwig is also Samuel Ludwig’s father. The chance to coach this team was meaningful for coach Ludwig especially when he looks back at his playing days.

“It’s something very special for me, specifically because I was playing at the 1987 Junior World Championships in Bahrain as well, so it’s a full circle (experience),” said Ludwig.

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Wednesday, May. 31, 2023

SUPPLIED

From left: Manitobans Josh Jehle, Jonah Dueck, Spencer Grahame and Samuel Ludwig were named to the Under-21 men’s national volleyball team. They all play for the U of M Bisons.

Golf Manitoba season tees off with match-play championship

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Golf Manitoba season tees off with match-play championship

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 31, 2023

Addison Kartusch stood on the opening tee at the Manitoba junior women’s golf championship nearly a year ago in search of a breakthrough performance. And shine she did, winning the title by 13 strokes at St. Charles Country Club, her home course.

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Wednesday, May. 31, 2023

MIKE PETERS / GOLF MANITOBA files

Addison Kartusch is looking to build on a very successful 2022 season.

Thieves target Elmwood Giants

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Preview

Thieves target Elmwood Giants

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Tuesday, May. 30, 2023

The Elmwood Giants gave up some steals before the 2023 Manitoba Junior Baseball League season had begun.

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Tuesday, May. 30, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Manitoba Junior Baseball League’s Elmwood Giants, who play their home games at Koskie Field on Chalmers Avenue, were targeted by theives this spring losing costly ballpark equipment and tools.

Bisons expected to name veteran bench boss Burnett new men’s hockey coach

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Preview

Bisons expected to name veteran bench boss Burnett new men’s hockey coach

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 30, 2023

The University of Manitoba has found its new head coach of men’s hockey.

Gord Burnett, a 42-year-old Regina product with a lengthy coaching resume in junior hockey, is expected to be unveiled as the successor to long-time Bisons head coach Mike Sirant as early as this week.

Burnett, who has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, was the winning candidate in a hiring process that lasted several months.

After spending four seasons as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice, he was named head coach of the Winnipeg Blues and led the MJHL club to a playoff berth in 2019-20.

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Tuesday, May. 30, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Gord Burnett was the winning candidate in a hiring process that lasted several months.

Girls are trying lacrosse and loving it: fun, fast and easy to play

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Girls are trying lacrosse and loving it: fun, fast and easy to play

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Monday, May. 29, 2023

It was just the second time Laylah Laquette-Koch had stepped foot on a lacrosse field.

The first came earlier this month when Edmund Partridge Community School hosted a “lacrosse week” for its students to learn one of Canada’s national sports.

“It was just fun to play and it was pretty easy to start. Everyone was having fun,” Laquette-Koch said.

That led the 13-year-old to the inaugural girls’ lacrosse day at Shaughnessy Park on Sunday, where more than 200 players gathered to compete over six games on a hot spring day.

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Monday, May. 29, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Playing lacrosse for only the second time, Laylah Laquette-Koch (left) defends against Payton Cvetkovic during the inaugural female lacrosse day at Shaughnessy Park on Sunday.

Roughnecks one win away from NLL final

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Roughnecks one win away from NLL final

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, May. 19, 2023

You can set your watch to the Calgary Roughnecks' playstyle. In fact, they do.

Captain Jesse King and his teammates break every National Lacrosse League game into five-minute sections and focus on winning each one. That strategy has taken them to a do-or-die Game 3 against the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday in the best-of-three Western Conference final.

"We always say 'win the next five minutes.' Whenever there's a new five-minute increment, we try and win those five minutes," said King, who leads Calgary with 16 points this post-season. "You break that game down into those increments and make things a little bit less stressful and a little bit easier to focus on."

Forward Tyler Pace, who is second on the Roughnecks with 15 points, agrees with his captain.

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Friday, May. 19, 2023

Calgary Roughnecks players Jesse King, left, and Tyler Pace are shown in this handout image during NLL action against the San Diego Seals in Calgary on Friday Jan. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Calgary Roughnecks-Angela Burger
**MANDATORY CREDIT **

Canada rugby 7s men in relegation showdown

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada rugby 7s men in relegation showdown

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 18, 2023

The Canadian men made their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut in 1999-2000 and this weekend's season-closing tournament in London marks their 190th on the circuit.

It could also be their last for quite a while.

Canada is fighting for its World Series future, embroiled in a relegation playoff with Kenya, Tonga and Uruguay with only one retaining its status as a core team next season.

That's because the World Series is reducing the number of men's teams to 12 from 16 next season to align with the women's competition and the Olympic field.

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Thursday, May. 18, 2023

All 16 captains pose at Holland Park School on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, prior to the HSBC London Sevens. Canada captain Phil Berna is in the back row, fourth from the left. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-World Rugby-Mike Lee **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Denz claims first Grand Tour stage win, Thomas stays in Giro lead

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Denz claims first Grand Tour stage win, Thomas stays in Giro lead

The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, May. 18, 2023

RIVOLI, Italy (AP) — Nico Denz won the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday for his first victory in a Grand Tour, while Geraint Thomas kept hold of the pink jersey as the race prepares to head into the mountains.

Denz, who rides for Bora-Hansgrohe, beat Toms Skujiņš and Sebastian Berwick at the end of the 185-kilometer (115-mile) hill leg from Bra to Rivoli in the Piedmont region.

The first stage win for Denz in his sixth Giro prompted the German to yell in joy after crossing the line and put his hands on his head as his eyes appeared to tear up.

All three riders were in a large breakaway that had to battle to escape at the beginning of the day.

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Thursday, May. 18, 2023

Germany's Nico Denz celebrates winning the 12th stage of the Giro D'Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, from Bra to Rivoli, Thursday, May 18, 2023. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Smart ball technology to be trialed at rugby’s U20 world championship

Steve Douglas, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Smart ball technology to be trialed at rugby’s U20 world championship

Steve Douglas, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

World Rugby will trial smart ball technology at the under-20 world championship in South Africa next month, assisting officials in getting more accuracy about lineouts, potential forward passes and whether the ball has crossed the try line.

The trial comes after match officials expressed a desire for innovations to be explored to support accurate and quick decision-making. There are no plans for the technology to be implemented at the Rugby World Cup in France in September and October, but could offer a glimpse into the future of the game.

The smart ball will be tracked in 3D and in real time, with beacons positioned around the field to determine the exact position of the ball up to 20 times per second and provide immediate feedback on every kick, pass and throw.

The technology will ensure lineouts are taken from the spot the ball left the field of play and provide instantaneous feedback about whether a lineout throw is straight by measuring the angle from release to the moment it's touched by a lineout jumper.

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Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

World Rugby will trial smart ball technology at the under-20 world championship in South Africa next month, assisting officials in getting more accuracy about lineouts, potential forward passes and whether the ball has crossed the try line.

The trial comes after match officials expressed a desire for innovations to be explored to support accurate and quick decision-making. There are no plans for the technology to be implemented at the Rugby World Cup in France in September and October, but could offer a glimpse into the future of the game.

The smart ball will be tracked in 3D and in real time, with beacons positioned around the field to determine the exact position of the ball up to 20 times per second and provide immediate feedback on every kick, pass and throw.

The technology will ensure lineouts are taken from the spot the ball left the field of play and provide instantaneous feedback about whether a lineout throw is straight by measuring the angle from release to the moment it's touched by a lineout jumper.

Toronto Marathon founder apologizes to runners

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Marathon founder apologizes to runners

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

TORONTO - The founder of the Toronto Marathon is apologizing to the event's participants and supporters for challenges they faced during the race that took place earlier this month.

Jay Glassman says event organizers received complaints about inadequate road closures and water stations and about "pandemonium" at the finish line that made it difficult for some participants to collect their medals or food and beverages.

Glassman says barriers were knocked down and pushed aside and some people walked out with cases of water and food, which reduced what was available for other participants.

He says race organizers are still investigating what happened during the May 7 event by collecting more information and reviewing finish-area videos.

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Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

The founder of the Toronto Marathon is apologizing to the event's participants and volunteers for challenges they faced during the race that took place last week. Runners are shown int his Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matias Delacroix

Canadian men reach semifinals in HSBC France 7s

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canadian men reach semifinals in HSBC France 7s

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Saturday, May. 13, 2023

TOULOUSE, France - Alex Russell scored the go-ahead try and Canada's defence held firm in the dying seconds Saturday in a 12-10 upset of Australia to move into the semifinal of the HSBC France Sevens.

It was the biggest win of the season for the 14th-ranked Canadian men, who face a relegation playoff next week in London to remain a core team on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series next season.

But first, they will play No. 2 Argentina in Sunday's semifinal. The Pumas dispatched No. 7 South Africa 21-12 in their quarterfinal.

By making the Cup quarterfinals in France, Argentina sealed a top-four finish in the season standings which means automatic qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Saturday, May. 13, 2023

Canada's Shalaya Valenzuela, centre, charges through the New Zealand defence on Day 2 of the HSBC France Sevens at Stade Toulousain in Toulouse, France on Saturday May 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-KLC fotos for World Rugby-Mike Lee
**MANDATORY CREDIT **

Canadian diver charged with University of Utah dorm room rape

Sam Metz, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Canadian diver charged with University of Utah dorm room rape

Sam Metz, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, May. 12, 2023

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A University of Utah diver has been arrested and charged with raping a young woman in her dorm room during the first week of the school year last fall.

Prosecutors have charged Ben Smyth, a Canadian diver in his second year at Utah, with sodomy, sexual abuse and rape. In an indictment filed this week, detectives say Smyth went to a woman’s dorm room after confirming she was alone last August. He asked her to play “truth or dare” and then allegedly raped her while she resisted physically, said she “did not want to do that,” shook her head no and told him she was in pain.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Smyth was arrested upon returning to the United States this week.

“It is our understanding that he is in custody in Seattle,” Gill said

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Friday, May. 12, 2023

FILE - The University of Utah campus is viewed from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 23, 2018. A former University of Utah diver Ben Smyth has been arrested and charged with raping a young woman last fall in a dorm room. In charging documents, detectives say Smyth acknowledged the woman was in pain during the encounter and later fled to Canada upon learning that he was being investigated for rape. The Salt Lake County District Attorney said on Friday, May 12, 2023, that Smyth had returned to the United States. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships a showcase of Indigenous talent

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships a showcase of Indigenous talent

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Sophia Anderson will tell you the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) provides a golden opportunity for Indigenous players to get recognized on the ice.

It’s where she shined a year ago for the Manitoba women’s squad before committing to the University of Manitoba women’s program. She’ll suit up for the Bisons this fall.

It’s also helped produce players such as Canadian national team members Jocelyne Larocque, Brigette Lacquette and Jamie Lee Rattray.

Equally important, it’s a chance for those who share similar backgrounds to unite for one week, with a national crown up for grabs.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

James Carey Lauder photo

Team Manitoba #23 Ben Roulette is chased by Team Ontario at Seven Oaks Arena in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Fearless family making mark on gridiron

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Fearless family making mark on gridiron

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Lori Turski owes her football career to a speeding ticket.

She was standing in line at the Law Courts getting ready to pay her fine when she saw a woman, Terri Wolfe, wearing track pants with the words ‘Women’s Tackle Football’ running down the side of the leg.

As a longtime fan of the gridiron game, it immediately caught Lori’s attention.

“So, I said to her, ‘You play tackle football?’ And she’s like ‘Yeah, do you want to play?’ And I was like ‘Absolutely,’” Lori, a 48-year-old from Lorette, told the Free Press on Thursday.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

SUPPLIED

Mom Lori Turski, left, with daughters Cassidy, centre, and Payton. The Manitoba Fearless kicked off the 2023 Western Women’s Canadian Football League season in a big way last week with a 76-0 victory over their rivals the Winnipeg Wolfpack. The Fearless, who feature several players from the Canadian senior women’s team, are back at it this Sunday when they host the Saskatoon Valkyries.

Skater Gilles moved by support after cancer reveal

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Skater Gilles moved by support after cancer reveal

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

When Piper Gilles publicly disclosed that she had recovered from ovarian cancer, she was worried that there would be some backlash from fans.

After all, Gilles had taken a medical leave of absence in the middle of the figure skating season for what she said at the time was an appendectomy but in reality the operation removed her left ovary and her appendix.

She said in an Instagram video on Sunday that she and her team had decided to keep her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment private until after the figure skating world championships in March because she didn't want it to be a distraction for her or ice dancing partner Paul Poirier. But now that her recovery is public knowledge, the positive reaction has been overwhelming.

"I feel so moved by all of the people that have reached out," said Gilles on Wednesday. "I've heard sad stories, I've had people thanking me for talking about it, I've heard great stories where they were detected early enough and had treatment and been cured.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

When Piper Gilles publicly disclosed that she had recovered from ovarian cancer, she was worried that there would be some backlash from fans.

After all, Gilles had taken a medical leave of absence in the middle of the figure skating season for what she said at the time was an appendectomy but in reality the operation removed her left ovary and her appendix.

She said in an Instagram video on Sunday that she and her team had decided to keep her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment private until after the figure skating world championships in March because she didn't want it to be a distraction for her or ice dancing partner Paul Poirier. But now that her recovery is public knowledge, the positive reaction has been overwhelming.

"I feel so moved by all of the people that have reached out," said Gilles on Wednesday. "I've heard sad stories, I've had people thanking me for talking about it, I've heard great stories where they were detected early enough and had treatment and been cured.

Canada women look to end 7s season on high note

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Canada women look to end 7s season on high note

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

A season of change wraps up this weekend in Toulouse, France, for the Canadian women's rugby sevens side.

While the eighth-ranked Canadians have not made the podium as they have in the past, coach Jack Hanratty believes the depth developed this year on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, in part due to a rash of injuries, bodes well for the future.

"We've left 11 players at home for this trip, which obviously is a tough thing to say," said Hanratty. "But it also means that we've used more players in a World Series event than any other team this year which has its positives.

"I'd much prefer to swap that and be challenging for an automatic Olympic place this weekend but it wasn't to be."

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Canada's Breanne Nicholas (fifth from the right) poses with other team captains at Port de la Daurade, France on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, ahead of the final women’s stop of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mike Lee — KLC fotos for World Rugby **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Sport minister unveils slate of safe sport reforms

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Sport minister unveils slate of safe sport reforms

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

OTTAWA - Canada's sport minister has announced a slate of reforms to address the safe sport crisis, but former athletes and opposition politicians are reiterating demands for a national inquiry to be held.

Pascale St-Onge unveiled measures to make national sports organizations more accountable for the federal funding they receive.

A public registry of people who have been sanctioned or suspended within the sport system, restricting the use of non-disclosure agreements, making financial statements public and changing the makeup of boards of directors were among measures announced.

The recent avalanche of athlete complaints about maltreatment and abuse, including sexual abuse, in their sports threw Canadian sport into crisis.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Pascale St-Onge arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Top PHF puckstopper Schroeder finds new hockey home in Montreal

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Preview

Top PHF puckstopper Schroeder finds new hockey home in Montreal

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

The Premier Hockey Federation’s best goaltender has a new home.

Corinne Schroeder, the 23-year-old Elm Creek product who took the PHF by storm as a rookie in 2022-23 with the Boston Pride, has signed a one-year contract to join the Montreal Force.

Further details of the deal were not disclosed, but Schroeder, who had a productive four-year NCAA career with Boston University and a fifth season with Quinnipiac University before turning pro, was a free agent and considered an offer to return to the Pride as well as two other PHF clubs.

“There’s a lot that went into it obviously,” Schroeder said Wednesday from Elm Creek. “I’m sad to be leaving Boston… I’ve been out here for a while but I think one major piece for me was being back in Canada. I haven’t played for a Canadian team since high school (at Balmoral Hall) and being a little closer to home was a big part of my decision. I’m very excited to be in Montreal. I think it’s a great city.”

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Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

Corinne Schroeder of Elm Creek has signed with the Montreal Force of the PHF after a stellar rookie season with the Boston Pride. (Mikaela Mackenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

All Blacks and Japan to play more often after landmark deal

Steve Mcmorran, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

All Blacks and Japan to play more often after landmark deal

Steve Mcmorran, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The All Blacks and Japan will play regular test matches under an agreement signed by the New Zealand and Japanese rugby unions which might also see a faltering first step toward a global club competition.

The memorandum of understanding between the unions will see both countries explore opportunities for New Zealand-based Super Rugby franchises to play matches against clubs from the Japan League One professional competition.

Those matches will occur outside the current window for Super Rugby Pacific, which involves Fijian Drua, Moana Pasifika and five clubs each from Australia and New Zealand. A team from Japan and leading franchises from South Africa formerly participated in the Super Rugby competition but didn't return after the pandemic shutdown.

If the club matches in Japan are successful and other countries such as Australia seek to participate, it could provide an early framework for a global club tournament.

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Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

FILE - Japan's Atsushi Sakate, front, tackles England's Alex Lozowski during their rugby union international match at Twickenham stadium in London, Nov. 17, 2018. Sakate believes the improved standard of the Japanese professional league will help the Brave Blossoms' preparation for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

Track guru sought out for ability to bring out best in athletes

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Track guru sought out for ability to bring out best in athletes

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Monday, May. 8, 2023

It’s Monday at 6:30 a.m. and rain is starting to fall from a grey sky blanketed by clouds.

Rather than using the miserable weather as an excuse to stay under the covers, or opting to work out at a warm, temperature-controlled gym instead, three high-level athletes are running at Dakota Collegiate’s Murray Field and listening to orders from a man known as the “speed guru” — Glenn Bruce.

Bruce’s students on this day were Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Kienan LaFrance, Manitoba Bisons linebacker Nick Thomas (who was drafted in the seventh round of last week’s CFL Draft by the Riders), and Nicholas Parrott, a Grade 12 student at Churchill High School who excels in both basketball and football.

There are no helmets, pads or even a football anywhere in sight. For the next 60 minutes, Bruce — who won seven national titles in 15 years as a sprint, hurdles and relay coach at the University of Manitoba — puts the trio through drills and exercises that are designed to help them nail down the proper technique to run faster.

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Monday, May. 8, 2023

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press

Speed guru Glenn Bruce is known for helping athletes in all sports and all levels find a higher gear.

Narwal, Chen high school badminton champs

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Narwal, Chen high school badminton champs

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Saturday, May. 6, 2023

A back injury wasn’t going to stop Ranya Narwal from bringing home a gold medal from the Manitoba High School Badminton provincials.

The Grade 11 student from Fort Richmond Collegiate wasn’t moving at her usual pace, and even winced with pain at times on the court.

“I’m probably playing at 30 or 40 per cent,” said Narwal, whose father Rahul had an Icy Hot patch waiting for her on the bench at the Sport for Life Centre.

The thing about Narwal is even when she’s far from 100 per cent, she can still dominate. Narwal, who suffered the setback prior to the event, fought through the adversity and defeated Swan Valley’s Crystal Zamzow in straight sets (21-16, 21-10) in Saturday afternoon’s varsity girls provincial final.

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Saturday, May. 6, 2023

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

High school badminton player Evan Chen, 18, Evan Chen, a Grade 12 student at St. Paul’s, defeated Maples Collegiate’s Takashi Kisaku 21-12, 21-11 to take the varsity boys gold.

A changing of the guard in Canadian diving

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

A changing of the guard in Canadian diving

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

MONTREAL - Canadian diver Caeli McKay has a pretty unusual nickname for a 23-year-old.

"I actually get called ‘Grandma,’” the Tokyo Olympian from Calgary said Wednesday from the Olympic Pool. “In the gym, I get called ‘Grandma.’ Already. I’m only 23.”

Canada’s senior diving team is full of young, new faces entering this weekend’s World Aquatics Diving World Cup in Montreal as the squad undergoes a changing of the guard.

Montreal’s Jennifer Abel and Meaghan Benfeito, both two-time Olympic medallists, have retired since the Tokyo 2020 Games.

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Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

Canada’s Mia Vallee competes in the Women's Open 3M Finals in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, June 12, 2022. Canada’s senior diving team is full of young, new faces entering this weekend’s World Aquatics Diving World Cup in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Transgender woman’s US cycling win within rules, UCI says

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Transgender woman’s US cycling win within rules, UCI says

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

The victory for the first openly transgender woman to win an official cycling event should stand after she adhered to the updated policy the organization put in place last year, the global governing body for cycling said.

Austin Killips rode to victory in the fifth stage of the Tour of the Gila on Sunday, one of the few remaining marquee stage races in the United States. That gave her the overall victory by 21 seconds and earned her the polka dot jersey as the race's best climber.

But the victory by the 27-year-old American, who began racing in 2019, was met almost immediately by backlash from cycling fans on social media and some former cyclists.

Last year, the Union Cycliste Internationale changed its rules to stipulate that athletes must have serum testosterone levels of 2.5 nanomoles per liter or less for at least 24 months before they are allowed to compete in women’s events. That was an increase from past rules, which required levels below 5 nanomoles for 12 months prior to racing.

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Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

The victory for the first openly transgender woman to win an official cycling event should stand after she adhered to the updated policy the organization put in place last year, the global governing body for cycling said.

Austin Killips rode to victory in the fifth stage of the Tour of the Gila on Sunday, one of the few remaining marquee stage races in the United States. That gave her the overall victory by 21 seconds and earned her the polka dot jersey as the race's best climber.

But the victory by the 27-year-old American, who began racing in 2019, was met almost immediately by backlash from cycling fans on social media and some former cyclists.

Last year, the Union Cycliste Internationale changed its rules to stipulate that athletes must have serum testosterone levels of 2.5 nanomoles per liter or less for at least 24 months before they are allowed to compete in women’s events. That was an increase from past rules, which required levels below 5 nanomoles for 12 months prior to racing.

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