Grand Opening of the Fields of Dreams in Lashburn, Saskatchewan
Karl Fix
Rugby 7s Senior Women, Rugby 7s Senior Men
Two very young Dog River Howlers teams were part of celebrating the opening of the Murray McDonnell Rugby Park aka “Field Of Dreams” in Lashburn, Saskatchewan on September 2 playing in two Ultra Rugby 7’s games against Lashburn men and women’s invitational sides. What a grand day for rugby!
Thank you Chris and Shauna Scarmstad, the driving forces behind this amazing endeavour along with everyone from this local supportive community for this memorable experience highlighting grass roots rugby.
Talk about vision, leadership and commitment. Lashburn, SK – located 2.5 hours from both Edmonton and Saskatoon – a rural town with a population of less than 1,000 has built two full international rugby pitches named after the man that started it all there some 30 years ago - Murray McDonnell.
When Murray started the first high school program he was literally new to the game. He taught himself the game from books and videos. The school, with a total of 200 boys and girl from grades 7 to 12, has won six provincial high school championships competing against schools that are up to 10 times as large. They also run a full mini rugby program which in turn adds up to over 100 kids under the age of 18 part of this amazing prairie town’s rugby culture, where obviously, rugby has become more than a game, but a way of life.
Canada Men’s Sevens Head Coach (via Twitter):
An amazing story in rural Saskatchewan. A small town of just a few 100 called Lashburn built and opened 2 brand new rugby fields. Very humbled to be invited to be part of the celebrations. Looking forward to coaching there tomorrow. A wonderful Canadian rugby story.
Howlers Men:
Carson Clarke - Rouleau Saskatchewan
Nathan Sgrazzutti - Regina Saskatchewan
Olaf Erasmus - Provost Alberta
Tristan Franc - Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Campbell Johnston - Baltimore Maryland
Matt Klimchuk - Regina Saskatchewan
Josh Looker - St. Albert Alberta
Brennan Marcoux -Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Dreydon Martin - Regina Saskatchewan
Evan Norris - Victoria BC
Graeme Norris - Victoria BC
Mitchell Novak - Regina Saskatchewan
Carlos Pestana - Medellin Colombia
James Reid - Purceville Virginia
Mitchell Rudy - Calgary Alberta
Nick Taylor - Calgary Alberta
Siaki Vikilani - Burnaby BC
Coach: Damian McGrath - Victoria BC (Canadian National 7’s Team coach)
Assistant Coach: Jack Taylor , Calgary Alberta
Manager for men and women’s team - Leo Lane
Howlers Women:
Davine Burton - Victoria BC / Toronto Ontario
Senah Debia - Regina Saskatchewan
Julie Foster (player / coach) - Regina Saskatchewan
McKenzie Grad - Regina Saskatchewan
Emily Godfrey - Calgary Alberta
Kelcey Levitt - Calgary Alberta
Natasha Loucks - Calgary Alberta
Mandy Marchak (player / coach) - Victoria BC/ Winnipeg Manitoba
Bre McGillicky - Regina Saskatchewan
Brogan Mior - Calgary Alberta
Hanna Olson - Cold Lake Alberta
Danica Pedric - Regina Saskatchewan
Angela Thompson - Regina Saskatchewan
Trinity Todd - Calgary Alberta
Mikayla Wall - Regina Saskatchewan
Coach - Kayla Mack