manitoba-provincial-rugby-club

Regional Development Coaches Wanted!

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:23:01 GMT

Applications Now Open for Regional Coaches

Applications are now open for the following head coach positions within our Regional Development Programs:

U16 and U19 boys and girls Brandon teams
U16 and U19 boys and girls Dauphin teams
U16 and U19 boys and girls Winnipeg East teams
U16 and U19 boys and girls Winnipeg West teams

Our Regional Development programs will begin recruitment in early May. Practices will run from June until mid-July with teams facing off against each other to compete for the Rugby Manitoba Cup.

For more information contact our Youth Development Manager Paul van der Merwe pvandermerwe@rugbymb.ca

Protecting Youth in Sports Act

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:48:02 GMT

New measures to enhance safe sport now enacted

The Government of Manitoba’s Protecting Youth in Sports Act is now officially enacted. As a result, all Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) are now mandated to adopt Sport Manitoba’s Safe Sport Policy Manual.

In compliance with the Act, Rugby Manitoba has formally adopted the following Sport Manitoba safe sport policies:

Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy;
Discipline and Complaints Policy;
Alternate Dispute Resolution Policy;
Appeal Policy;
Respect in Sport Policy
Coach Screening Policy Minimum Requirements.

These policies outline critical information for all stakeholders including, but not limited to, behaviour expectations for participants, procedures for handling complaints of maltreatment, disciplinary measures that can be imposed if someone is found to have engaged in maltreatment, and coach education and screening requirements.

These policies apply to all PSO-sanctioned clubs, teams, programs, and individuals operating under our authority. This means all clubs must comply with The Protecting Youth in Sports Act and safe sport policies.

Importantly, all allegations of maltreatment must be reported directly to an Independent Third Party (ITP) mechanism. Member clubs, teams, or individuals must not manage, assess, or investigate maltreatment complaints internally. The ITP is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and managing all allegations of maltreatment, ensuring independent, unbiased, and safe handling of each case.

Please visit our new safe sport page to access new safe sport resources including, but not limited to:

● The Safe Sport Policy Manual

● The ITP reporting mechanism

● Guidelines on how to report maltreatment

● Safe sport information for young athletes and parents

As an organization dedicated to ensuring all participants have positive experiences in sport, we are committed to these enhanced safe sport measures and will continue to help establish a maltreatment-free sport environment.

Staffing Update - Rugby Manitoba

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:45:43 GMT

Announcement: Rugby Manitoba Organizational Update

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment Lise Thiessen as the incoming General Manager of Rugby Manitoba as of February 17, 2026. Lise brings a wealth of experience in program and project planning and development, sound financial acumen, and experience in the non-profit, community, and private sectors. Lise is also a proud mother of 3 rugby players who have played youth and school rugby, provincial team rugby at Westerns, Prairie Cup and the 2025 Canada Summer Games, and soon in the University rugby circuit.

The past year saw a successful club season, two teams representing Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, players and teams travelling to play in Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Florida, and New Zealand, hosting of some inter-provincial and teams from the US, and the hosting of USport/UBC talent ID camps. As we continue to redefine the game and its delivery in Manitoba through the development of enhanced player welfare guidelines and insurance, a launch of a new Provincial Performance Program and Competition for U19 rugby, a continued focus on financial stewardship to provide a stable financial footing, we are excited to have Lise on board to continue to grow the game.

To ensure continuity as we head into the rugby season Neale Gillespie will work through the transition plan with Lise through to March 31, 2025, at which time he will resume his role with the Board of Directors as Vice-President.

The Board of Directors is excited to with Lise with a focus on driving the goals and KPIs from the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.

Go forward with support!

Rugby Manitoba Adopts New Low Tackle Height Law

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:27:21 GMT

New Low Tackle Height Law for 2026 Season

Rugby Manitoba has announced it will adopt the new low tackle height law trial for the 2026 season, aligning with Rugby Canada and fellow provincial unions in a nationwide effort to enhance player safety.

The law variation lowers the maximum legal tackle height from the shoulder line to the base of the sternum, introducing a clearer and safer target area for defenders. The change is part of a broader initiative supported by World Rugby to reduce the risk of head injuries in the game.

Commitment to player welfare

Player safety remains a top priority for Rugby Manitoba. Research from global trials has shown that lowering the tackle height can significantly reduce head contact between tacklers and ball carriers, helping to decrease the likelihood of concussions.

By adopting the trial this season, Rugby Manitoba joins a growing number of unions across Canada working to make the sport safer while preserving the physical and competitive nature of rugby.

Implementation for the 2026 season

The new tackle height law will apply to all Rugby Manitoba-sanctioned competitions for the 2026 season. Rugby Manitoba will work closely with Rugby Canada to ensure a consistent approach to implementation, including alignment with national standards and ongoing evaluation of the trial.

Education and support

To support the transition, Rugby Manitoba will provide educational resources and training opportunities for coaches, referees, and players. These will focus on proper tackle technique, safe contact habits, and understanding how the law will be applied during matche s.

Looking ahead

The 2026 season will serve as an important evaluation period for the low tackle height law. Feedback from the rugby community, along with injury data and match observations, will contribute to ongoing discussions at both the national and international levels.

Rugby Manitoba encourages all participants to engage with the available resources and embrace the change as part of a shared commitment to making the game safer for everyone.

For more information and access to training options visit Rugby Canada's website here.

NCCP / World Rugby Courses

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:03:57 GMT

Upcoming NCCP / World Rugby Courses

March 14/15 - NCCP / World Rugby L1 Coach & L1 Referee - Dauphin, MB

Meet the Board

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:02:42 GMT

Meet your 2025 - 2026 Board of Directors

Rugby Manitoba is pleased to announce the 2025-26 Board of Directors, as elected at the 2025 AGM, November 23, 2025.

Christian Taylor (Winnipeg, MB) will serve his second term as President of the Board. Neale Gillespie (Winnipeg, MB) will resume his role as Vice-President beginning January 1, 2026. The Board is thrilled that Fiona Dunn (Winnipeg, MB) has been appointed as Treasurer, and that Cassandra Kostelnyk (Parklands/Dauphin) has been elected as Secretary to complete the Board Executive.

Alix Bellemare (Winnipeg, MB) and Daphne Pili (Winnipeg, MB) will continue their terms in their roles as Members at Large, and we are excited to welcome new Members at Large Sarah-Janet (SJ) Jackson from the Eastman/Brandon Region, and Lindsay Matthews from Winnipeg region.

This dedicated group is excited to continue to serve Rugby Manitoba and to driving the implementation of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.

The Board of Directors would like to thank the following individuals for their time and commitment to Rugby Manitoba as the complete their terms on the board:

Liz Massi (Winnipeg, MB), Renee Sakal (Swan River, MB), and Courtney Maines, (Winnipeg, MB)