Lagassé leaves PC caucus, serve as independent MLA

By Mark T. Buss

Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagassé announced last week that he has left the PC party and will continue to serve his constituents as an independent to ensure their needs come before party politics.

He also hopes other Members of the Legislative Assembly will join him in leaving partisan politics behind for the betterment of Manitobans.
“After speaking with residents across our communities, I’ve made the decision to serve as an independent because the people of Dawson Trail deserve a voice that answers only to them,” Lagassé stated in a press release on March 10. “Families, farmers, small businesses and municipalities in this region want strong representation focused on local priorities, not directives from party headquarters.”

Lagassé was elected as the MLA for Dawson Trail in the 2016 election, and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

He said he believes residents want leadership that will focus on practical issues affecting their regions, including infrastructure, economic development, health and public safety. 

He said in recent years however, the continuing pull of strict party lines, anger and vitriol in the legislature and behind the scenes have taken a toll on his mental health.

“The partisan system doesn’t work. You should be able to approach a representative whether they are blue or orange or red,” he said. “The negativity is very difficult to deal with. People don’t see that toxic nonsense that goes on in chambers and that doesn’t serve Manitobans.”

Lagassé said over time he has also had issues within the PC party. Ethics violations were committed by then premier Heather Stefanson, deputy premier Cliff Cullen and current PC MLA Jeff Wharton when they inappropriately pushed for the Sio Silica sand mine project to be approved after the Tories lost the 2023 election. The party’s inability to address the matter has not sat well with him.

“I’ve asked to speak on Sio and was told no. This isn’t something that should have been dismissed... these are serious ethics violations. A current member was found guilty and paid a fine, but that’s OK... hold them in the party when there has been a clear violation.”

He said residents deserve transparency, strong environmental safeguards and a clear understanding of both the opportunities and risks such projects may bring.

“I’m not against economic development, but why can’t we do this correctly?”
Lagassé is convinced the current party system in Manitoba needs to be torn down and replaced with the consensus style of government like in Nunavut. There, MLAs are elected as independent candidates in their constituencies, much like local town and RM governments across Manitoba.

“When its partisan, we are automatically enemies, and that does not work for constituents,” he said. “When it’s not a party system, we have to work together like municipalities do and it forces collaboration.”

He said he declined to cross the floor, adding he has also been contacted by several people with the idea of starting a new provincial party. Serving as an independent, he said it will ensure community voices are heard before decisions are made. 

“If I join the NDP or the Liberals it defeats the whole purpose,” Lagassé said. “I would love to see 57 independents in the next election.”

Lagassé said his constituency association executives have also left the PC party and they are with him for the long haul.

“It’s not just our association group. There are others, 20 people outside, more help than I ever received under the party system.”

Music on the Midway announced

New Powerview-Pine Falls amphitheatre to be ready for 4P Festival

By Simon Ducatel

A new amphitheatre in Powerview-Pine Falls is intended to provide recreational opportunities at an outdoor venue and entice visitors to spend time exploring the community.  

“There’s been wonderful things that have been happening in our region,” said Powerview-Pine Falls Coun. Judy LeRoye, who serves as chair of the 4P Festival committee. “For the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls itself, we haven’t had in our little community anything new and exciting for a while.”
“This is huge,” she said. “I’m pumped.”

LeRoye said the project has been in the design phase for more than a year with plans to start building early this spring.

The amphitheatre will be constructed in the area of Midway Park and should be completed in time for the annual 4P Festival in September. The town, the 4P committee, Sputnik Architecture and the Winnipeg River Area Lions recently announced the project, which they dubbed Music on the Midway. 
The project was made possible primarily courtesy of grant funding to the tune of $55,000 from the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), which the town is a member of. 

LeRoye said she first learned the grant was available in December 2024 when CDEM contacted the municipality’s CAO about the funding opportunity for festivals. She jumped at the chance and began having some preliminary discussions with CDEM to consider what kind of project would benefit the festival and help the event grow while also providing a draw for tourism.  
After brainstorming some ideas, LeRoye said an outdoor stage was ultimately deemed an ideal amenity as it could potentially host events beyond music festivals, including gatherings involving École Powerview School, the Métis Federation, Eastman Pride and the Winnipeg River Area Lions.

“That’s what our vision and what our dream is; to just give our region the opportunity to have a really fun place to put on events,” she said. “The intent of this is for anybody that wants to use this, they just have to contact the town office and book it.”

The 4P committee has also expressed a commitment to assist the municipality any way it can, she said. 

“We don’t foresee this being a big chore for the town to manage,” LeRoye said. “If the town wants to have a minimal fee to use the stage, that’s their prerogative, but non-charitable groups can also ask to use it for free.” 
The CDEM grant covers the bulk of the project’s cost, which is expected to run up between $75,000 and $100,000. The 4P Festival committee is pitching in an additional $10,000 and is actively seeking sponsorship support, she said. 

As well, she noted the municipal council passed a resolution to donate the land and provide the site with power, which represents an in-kind contribution of roughly $10,000. 

“I’m in the process of looking for the additional dollars to finish off the project, but I have time,” LeRoye said, adding she has until the fall to collect the remaining balance.

The amphitheatre, which is also going to serve as a centennial commemoration for years to come, will feature a covered stage and was designed to reflect the 4P Festival’s paper, power, pea and pickerel mantra.
“On the top of the stage, we have the old-fashioned type hydro poles that you used to see in the ditches all the time,” she said. “The strings going down to the framing are representative of fishing poles, because we’re the pickerel capital of Manitoba.”

The field area around the stage will be quite large. There will not be any permanent seating as the intent was to embrace the folk festival atmosphere where people bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

Looking ahead, LeRoye said the committee will endeavour to pursue ongoing efforts to improve the venue’s appeal and aesthetics by adding elements such as walkways and historical plaques as time and opportunity allow.

Located along the Winnipeg River overlooking Manitou Rapids at Sharpes Point, “the view will be spectacular,” she said. 
LeRoye is thrilled to see the amphitheatre become a reality. 

“I’m shocked and amazed and in awe and so excited that it has actually all come together,” she said. “It’s amazing that all the parties involved in this have come together to have it at this point where it’s really going to happen.”

LdB RCMP hosting town hall meeting

By Mark T. Buss

Lac du Bonnet RCMP, in conjunction with Lac du Bonnet Emergency Management, is hosting a town hall meeting next week to share information on the region’s police service operations and EMO preparations for the coming year.

The event being held in the Lac du Bonnet Legion hall on March 24 from 7-9 p.m. will feature commentary from RCMP S/Sgt. Cory Meyers and Lac du Bonnet emergency coordinator John Fleming. 

Meyers said the community consultation will give area residents a better understanding on how their local police force is structured, RCMP crime statistics, priorities for the local area and what they see regarding crime trends.

Asked if any recent issues or events sparked the need for a town hall meeting, Meyers said the March 24 gathering is more of an outreach from the RCMP to the community to better understand how they operate.

“The town hall is just a way for the RCMP to have a form of community consultation,” Meyers said. “The last time we did one in the area was Pinawa about two years ago and Lac du Bonnet about five or more years previous.”
He said municipal councils are aware and have been invited, and he encourages everyone in the area to attend.

Fleming said it was Meyers’ idea to present information on local policing topics and activity. With the pair in regular communication, Fleming said he was invited by Lac du Bonnet’s top cop to discuss lessons the emergency management team learned during the 2025 wildfire season and what to prepare for this year.

“From the point of view of emergency management, we are always looking for opportunities to engage with the public and certainly in the aftermath of last year‘s fire,” Fleming said. “We continue to look for opportunities to meet with the public and discuss with them ways to mitigate the risk of wildfire on their own property.”

Fleming said the program he administers put on 18 community engagement meetings last summer and they have followed up with other opportunities, including an informational booth at the Legion and hosted a presentation for the Pioneer Club.  They will also have a informational booth at the upcoming Chamber of Commerce job and volunteer fair on April 16.

“As we move away from the wildfire of 2025, the risk is that the community momentum and concern with wildfire mitigation may decrease,” Fleming noted. “It is the role of emergency management to continue to advance preparedness in the face of those risks.”

“The wildfire topic is still on people’s minds within the local area,” Meyers said. “I think it’s a great partnership, but these are two separate topics being discussed.”

Havelock military sacrifice recognized

The family of a Brokenhead veteran was recently presented with decorations posthumously recognizing his military service.

A tribute to the late Cpl. Ben Havelock was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 132 Beausejour in February. Presided over by Lt.-Col (Ret’d) Kennedy MacLean, with assistance from Lt.-Col Joe Tyson, the ceremony involved Havelock’s parents and other family members receiving Memorial Crosses, Memorial Ribbons, a Memorial Scroll and the Memorial Bar.
Raised in Tyndall, Ben Havelock served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders for 3.5 years, and was deployed with the Third Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Bosnia in the 1990s.

A veteran of both the British and Canadian military himself, Ben’s father Ian Havelock said his son was exposed to atrocities in that conflict and it affected him the rest of his life.

“He only received the standard training when he went to Bosnia,” Ian said. “He was not accustomed to the insecurities of the battlefield.”

Ben Havelock died as a result of his Service to Canada on June 6, 2022.
At the February ceremony, MacLean said the military is a close-knit family and every time a member of His Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces dies as a result of military service, all Canadians grieve.

Created in 1919 following the First World War, the Memorial Cross is granted to the loved ones of the late service member, on behalf of His Majesty’s Canadian Government to recognize their loss and sacrifice. 
In the last 90 years, the Memorial Cross, also referred to as the Silver Cross, has firmly established itself as the pre-eminent symbol of Canada’s recognition of the sacrifices endured by the families of those lost.

Initially reserved for the mother and widow of those who died in operations, the Memorial Cross is now granted to up to three individuals designated by any member who dies as a result of service regardless of location. 

Memorial Crosses were presented to Ian, Ben’s mother Emilie Havelock and his aunt Charlotte McMurchy. 

Mrs. Havelock also received the Memorial Scroll. Introduced during the First World War by the British Government, the Memorial Scroll was issued to the families of all Imperial troops who died in wartime including Canadians. 
Mr. Havelock likewise received the Memorial Bar. Issued by the Canadian Government during the Second World War, this Sterling silver bar was meant to be affixed to the frame of the deceased’s picture or included in a shadow box containing the member’s medals, badges and other mementos.
Both the Memorial Scroll and the Memorial Bar were re-introduced in Canada in 2009 and is presented to the beneficiary of the estate of any Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member.

Memorial Ribbons were presented to Havelock family members Sabrina Rogasky, Ron McMurchy, David Phipps, Matthew Phipps and Philip McMurchy. Launched during Remembrance Week 2012, the Memorial Ribbon is a memento of personal loss and sacrifice of military personnel for the closest loved ones, especially children. The Memorial Ribbon consists of a length of purple ribbon held in a loop by a small silver-coloured pin depicting the Memorial Cross.

MacLean noted that when a member of the CAF dies as a direct result of military service, they are also eligible for the Sacrifice Medal, presented posthumously to the beneficiary of the estate and mounted with the other medals of the deceased. 

In this particular case, the Sacrifice Medal will be awarded posthumously to Ben, and presented to Ian by the Commanding Officer of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in Winnipeg at a later date.

Ben Havelock’s name also appears in the Seventh Book of Remembrance in the Service of Canada. The book is kept, along with the other six Books of Remembrance, in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa where the public can view them.

Pysanky fundraiser for children in CancerCare

An Easter tradition is bringing hope to a Manitoba family and to children receiving cancer care.

This year, Lac du Bonnet artist Laura Nilsson is raising funds in support of Callie Augustine, who has been bravely battling leukemia since 2024. Callie recently celebrated her fifth birthday, marking another milestone in her journey.

Nilsson’s annual Ukrainian Easter egg fundraiser – featuring beautifully decorated pysanky – will direct all proceeds this year toward the Pediatric Oncology Playroom at CancerCare Manitoba, helping provide comfort and activities for young patients during treatment.

After speaking with Callie’s mother, Sheyanna Augustine, Nilsson said the idea emerged to support something that would benefit not only Callie, but many other children and their families going through similar experiences.

All funds raised from the egg sales will go toward purchasing items from a wish list provided by staff at CancerCare, with donations going directly to the Pediatric Oncology Playroom.

Nilsson’s pysanky are individually crafted and available for purchase leading up to Easter. Each egg costs $30, with most made from extra-large chicken eggs and a limited number created using duck eggs.

To ensure the decorative keepsakes last, the eggs have been blown out and sealed with a clear protective spray, helping preserve their colours and improving their appearance.

Optional egg stands are available for $5, with those proceeds helping offset the cost of supplies such as eggs, dyes and other materials used in creating the pysanky.

Egg reservations and pickups can be arranged in Lac du Bonnet or Beausejour before Easter.

Those wanting to learn more about Callie’s journey or support the Augustine family can visit the family’s GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/giving-callie-hope

Contact Nilsson via email at lauranilsson345@gmail.com or call 204-345-3631.

Open Your Hearts fundraiser nets record profits

By Edna Barrie

The 16th annual Open Your Heart Concert raised a record $4,552 for the Brokenhead River Regional Library.

Held at the St. Paul’s United Church on Feb. 28, the main attractions were the musical duo stylings of Kydney – Kelia Haskins and Sydney Kraubner – and the always popular dessert auction.

École Edward Schreyer School alums, Haskins and Kraubner first met and performed with the Haystack Productions theatre company. These two powerful performers have written their own songs and performed traditional ones as well, providing a perfect combination to soothe the audience and lift their spirits. 

The dessert auction is always a treat. Under the skillful work of auctioneer Jack Kowalchuk, desserts were auctioned off as members of the audience tried to outbid each other for one of the pies, cakes or cookies. High bids included $158 for a key lime pie, $235 for a lemon raspberry cheese cake and a whopping $250 for a pasticcio cake.

The evening’s proceeds go toward the Brokenhead River Regional Library’s public washroom accessibility upgrade, which involves renovations to enlarge the facilities to meet accessibility standards as per the Province of Manitoba.

The Brokenhead River Regional Library is the hub of the community, offering support and educational avenues for everyone. It not only holds a variety of leisure and research materials, but also provides computer access, a meeting place for a writer’s group and other events.

Fierbois provide music magic for EMCA

By Brian Adolph

Classical music lovers were treated to a dazzling display of virtuosity at the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association (EMCA) March 14 performance of Fierbois.

The duo, consisting of oboist Caitlin Broms-Jacobs and pianist Madeline Hildebrand, performed a program of evocative classical and contemporary compositions that took the audience from the Prairies to the Rocky Mountains to chasing birds in the park.

Opening with selections from Oscar Peterson’s Canadiana Suite before moving on to more classical fare, the performers quickly demonstrated how an oboe and piano can become more than the sum of their parts. With the help of some brilliant arranging, the pair took compositions intended for an orchestra or a jazz trio and made them uniquely their own.

Hildebrand, a top-tier classical pianist, also has a flair for theatrical playing. She has performed with Philip Glass as well as the Kronos Quartet and brought some of that contemporary, experimental sound to the pair’s performance of Jocelyn Morlock’s moody Halcyon, as well as the musically humorous The Bird Fancyer’s New Delight by Canadian composer David Braid.

As long-time principal oboist for the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, as well as a regular performer with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Broms-Jacobs is well known in the Winnipeg classical music scene. She is noted for her “singing tone” and “sensitive musicality,” both of which were in evidence in her performances of Ravel’s Sonatine and Mozart’s Sonata K. 454.

It was the interplay between these two accomplished musicians that created the evening’s magic. Their intricately woven melodies and counterpoint, as well as the joined-at-the-hip tightness of the performance, were a delight to watch.

With their newly released album Sing to Me Again, Fierbois is poised to make their mark on the Canadian classical music scene.

EMCA’s next concert brings the Derina Harvey Band back to Pinawa on April 10 with their electrifying blend of Celtic rock and east coast kitchen party.

Whether you’ve seen this group before or it’s your first time, this is guaranteed to be a show you won’t want to miss.

Hirst named MJHL Coach of the Year

By Tony Zerucha

While Lac du Bonnet’s Dwight Hirst appreciates winning the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s (MJHL) Muzz MacPherson Memorial Award for Coach of the Year, the head coach of the Niverville Nighthawks gives all the credit to the players on the ice.

The Nighthawks led the MJHL with a 51-6-1 regular-season record and open the playoffs at home on March 21 against the Winkler Flyers. They aim to continue a dominant season that saw them lead the league in goals for with 280, fewest goals against (117), goal differential (+163) and fewest penalty minutes (693). The Nighthawks’ power play was best at 27.3 per cent, while the penalty killers were third at 84.5 per cent, only two points off the league lead.

Hirst was named the Nighthawks’ interim head coach in February 2024. While the Nighthawks were decent on defence, their special teams were ineffective and there was little accountability.

The improvements quickly followed. In 2024-25, the Nighthawks won five more games and went from a minus-three goal differential to plus-80. While many pundits had them being swept in the first round, they took a powerhouse opponent to six games.

That set the stage for a 2025-26 that added 16 wins and a doubling of the goal differential to plus-163. Niverville is ranked second in Canada and has its eyes on the Centennial Cup in Summerside, PEI.

Hirst credits his players for adjusting to new systems and for maturing. The roster he took over had plenty of growing to do. Some veterans led by the wrong example. He noted that was often reflected in how some players dealt with pressure.

After that first half-season, some players aged out, while others moved on. Younger players earned more opportunities on the ice and spoke up more in the dressing room.

“The leaders we have now were big parts of last season,” Hirst said. “They’ve grasped it, taken it by the horns and made it theirs.”

Hirst knows what it takes to succeed in the MJHL. He fired 47 goals in 103 games for Neepawa nearly three decades ago before joining Minnesota State University at Mankato and the University of Manitoba. He finished his competitive career by scoring 202 points in 95 games with the Lac du Bonnet Blues senior hockey team.

The Nighthawks naturally have expectations of playing for the Centennial Cup, but Hirst said his team isn’t looking beyond the Flyers. Should the Nighthawks win that series, there are two more to follow before they can book flights to the east coast.

Hirst said hockey has three seasons. The Nighthawks have fared well in the first two and are preparing for an encore in the playoffs. While a regular-season title and Coach of the Year honour are nice, they mean nothing if a trophy doesn’t come with it.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business for the guys,” Hirst said. “Ultimately, everyone wants to win the championship.”

North Eastman athletes medal at winter games

By Tony Zerucha

Several local athletes returned from the Manitoba Winter Games in Thompson with medals after posting top-three finishes last week. 

Gymnasts fared particularly well. Oakbank’s Fiona Grace Black won a gold, silver and bronze medal in 12 and 13-year-old gymnastics. Her gold came in uneven bars, while her silver was on the balance beam. Black’s bronze was in all-around gymnastics.

Two Tyndall residents were triple winners in 10 and 11-year-old gymnastics. Emily Klippenstein placed second in uneven bars, floor exercises and overall. Morgan Edwards earned a gold on the uneven bars and a silver in overall gymnastics. Her bronze came on the vault.

Oakbank’s Patricia Paz earned a gold for 12 and 13-year-olds on the vault and a silver on the balance beam. Her Dugald teammate Sophie St. Hilaire captured a gold in the floor exercises and a silver on the uneven bars.

Cooks Creek’s Hunter Princeton James Strongquill was a member of gold-medal-winning Team Eastman’s U14 futsal team, while Cooks Creek’s Amy Robinson took silver in U16/18 alpine slalom skiing.

Oakbank’s Sierra Smith and her Interlake partner Jake Kowalchuk won silver in U18 mixed doubles curling.

Smith said the Manitoba Winter Games was a really fun and positive experience, adding the volunteers and organizing committee did an amazing job making the games enjoyable for everyone. 

“Meeting new athletes and getting to watch other sports was really cool and it felt amazing to represent our region,” Smith said. “Playing in the finals was something we honestly didn’t expect so that made the experience even more special.”

Additional silver medals were won by Powerview-Pine Falls’ Alyssa Thomas (U17 female archery compound), Cooks Creek’s Bennett James Skrabek (U15 doubles badminton) and Whitemouth’s Murdoch John McLeod and Lac du Bonnet’s Elyse Unger (U15 mixed doubles badminton).

Seven Sisters Falls’ Anita Tetrault and Lac du Bonnet’s Aubree Taylor Weiss earned a bronze in U15 female badminton doubles.

Comets dig hole too big to climb out

By Tony Zerucha

The Beausejour Comets season is over as they were unable run the table and advance to the Capital Region Junior Hockey League championship round after falling behind early in the series.

In Game 5 on March 16, Beausejour fell to the Selkirk Fishermen 7-3, giving the Interlake club a 4-1 series win. 

Selkirk was up 3-0 in the first period when Comets defenceman Seth Hlady scored just before the break.

In the second, Beausejour’s Liam Johnston made the score 3-2, but it was a shortlived charge as the Fish were able to get two more past Comets goalie Sawyer Abraham. Jaedys Dancyt scored late in the frame to make it 5-3 at intermission.

Cole Baker scored a late powerplay goal in the third but it was too little, too late for a Comets comeback. 

On March 15, Owen Lourenco scored a hat-trick, with Greyson Wood adding two goals and an assist to power a 5-4 Comets win. Abraham made 36 saves for the Comets. 

Lourenco and former Powerview-Sagkeeng Wild star Ryland Schroeder traded first-period goals to make it 1-1 after 20 minutes. Wood and Lourenco scored one apiece as the Comets outscored the Fishermen 2-1 in the second to bring a 3-2 advantage into the third.

Another ex-Wild star, Connor Bruyere, tied the game for Selkirk at 1:15 of the third before Wood and Lourenco scored powerplay goals to give the Comets a 5-3 lead. Ashton Schroeder scored with one second remaining to make the final 5-4.

Already down 1-0 in the series, a five-goal third period sent the Comets to a 7-2 defeat on March 12. Tyler Nault gave the Comets a 1-0 lead 32 seconds into the game. Following a Fishermen goal, Nault scored again at 6:28 to make it 2-1.

Selkirk tied the game with the first of thee powerplay goals precisely four minutes later to make it a 2-2 contest after 20 minutes. Following a scoreless second stanza, the Fishermen hauled in five unanswered goals, including two power-play markers by Wild alum Theo Courchene, to win in a romp. Bruyere, finished with two goals and an assist, while goalie Markus Sharpe made 43 saves for Selkirk. Alex Cavanagh made 40 saves for the Comets.

The series deficit ran to 3-0 after the Comets lost 3-1 on March 13. Dancyt scored a power-play goal midway through the first to give the Comets the early lead, but Selkirk tied the game with 20 seconds left in the first.

Following a scoreless second period, the Fishermen scored twice in the final minute of the third period to clinch the win.

Beausejour outshot Selkirk 34-26. Abraham was between the pipes for the Comets.

Xtreme corral Mustangs, reach finals

By Tony Zerucha

The Springfield Xtreme have reached the finals of the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League by outlasting the Mitchell Mustangs in their semi-final series.

Cam Osborne’s goal at 15:18 of the third period gave the Xtreme a 4-3 win and 3-2 series advantage on March 11. Josh Rach made 32 saves for the win.

Springfield built a 2-0 lead four minutes into the game courtesy of goals by Michael Jette and Eastan Crane. Mitchell responded with a pair to tie the game 2-2 at the seven-minute mark of the second period.

Connor Toth gave the Xtreme a brief, 3-2 lead at 9:02, but the Mustangs drew even seven minutes later. Osborne’s game-winner was the only goal of the third period.

Springfield took 35 shots.

On March 14, Springfield built a 4-0, first-period lead and hung on for a 6-3 win. Aidan Osborne led the way with two goals and two assists. Jette, Toth, David Hazlitt and Evan Jasper also scored for Springfield, which outshot Mitchell 38-30.

The Xtreme will now face the first-place Macdonald Swarm, with the opening game on March 17. Results were unavailable at press time.

Games 2 and 3 against the Swarm are in Oakbank on March 22 at 4:30 p.m. and March 24 at 8 p.m. The series shifts to Macdonald on March 26 and 27. If necessary, a sixth game is in Oakbank on March 29 at 4:30 p.m. Game 7 is pencilled in for Macdonald on March 31.

The Swarm have had a dominant season, posting a 36-2 combined regular season and playoff record. Springfield has yet to beat Macdonald this season, though their first matchup went to overtime.

Walls stepping back from Sabres football

By Tony Zerucha

Springfield’s football community is preparing to say goodbye to its founder Tom Walls, who is stepping down this summer. 

Walls is technically taking a one-year leave of absence from a teaching position with the Winnipeg School Division, who he jokingly thanked for allowing him to spend so many workday hours on football. He and wife Shandy are moving to Colombia after she accepted employment there.

Walls said he’ll stay involved through the spring gym season, and will assist incoming head coach Shane Lucier with planning and play development remotely during the season. In meetings with coaches, players and parents, everyone wished to maintain a similar structure.

Those meetings, while hard, were important for everyone. This includes some seniors who need consistency as they pursue university or junior careers.

“There were two things I needed to do in those meetings,” Walls said. “I needed to let them know I wasn’t leaving them for another team; it was an opportunity for my family, and it was going to be okay.”

Walls had lived in Springfield for three years when Shandy looked in their yard and told him they could erect some goalposts and hold kicking camps.

“I said we can do more than that,” Walls said.

The Sunrise Coyotes program was founded in 2014. The early years brought predictable struggles on the field; some gave up. But others persisted, including a girls’ team that won three championships in four years.

“That showed us it could work here,” Walls said.

That was followed by a powerhouse bantam team that solidified a winning environment. Players and families stuck around. Younger siblings signed up; a program was born.

Equally important was what was happening on the sidelines. Walls and coaches like Ken Clegg, Val Medved, Marcell Pelland and Ian Hickey began coaching peewee together. That was 12 years ago – they’re still together today.

“The coaches really like being around each other. That brings stability,” Walls said.
The high school football come to Springfield in 2019. To date, six seasons have brought five banners to the school, along with a year-round program that keeps the players engaged.

“Year-round programs like we have at SCI, you don’t find them at other schools except for that big ones like Oak Park and Dakota,” Walls said. “They’re huge schools. We have between 560-580 kids.”

Walls said his three proudest life accomplishments are his marriage, kids and Springfield’s football program. The latter has allowed him two blend in the other two. Football wouldn’t have happened without Shandy, who raised funds when few were to be had. Tommy Jr. was an award-winning Sabres pivot who played American college football. Daughter Aiden was active in merchandising.

The winning was nice, and Walls communicated that to his players. More importantly, Walls was reminded of the joy in the process; every team building event, every practice, brought people together. Children were growing into responsible adults.
“The real joy has been in the relationships with the players, coaches and parents,” Walls said. “What these programs teach young people is rarer and rarer in society: not giving up when things get hard, selflessness, and eventual reward over immediate gratification.”

That message has endured, as Walls saw in a recent alumni game. Two original 2019 players brought their own children, one only three months old.
“He thought so much of the program and that game that he wanted his wife and kid to be there,” Walls said.

Walls also joked that when alumni bring their kids, perhaps it’s time for fresh blood to patrol the sidelines. He then got serious when recalling players share stories of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts; they trusted him enough to share their innermost fears.

“One father told me we changed his son’s life for the better; that’s the kind of thing that sticks with you,” Walls said.

Walls has several irons in the fire, including a book that could soon be published. He’s also promoting professional development services to teachers and coaches in South America.

And Walls wouldn’t be Walls without some football. He’ll be coaching the Medellin Raptors.

Is South American football different than what Walls is used to? Canadian football isn’t what a grinning Walls was used to when he initially came north.

“Everywhere else has four downs, and they don’t give you a point for kicking it through the end zone,” Walls laughed. “I’m going back to my roots.”

Smith headed to Manitoba Games

By Tony Zerucha

Oakbank curler Sierra Smith is packing her bags for Thompson, where she will join Team Eastman at the Manitoba Winter Games from March 4-7. 

Smith and Interlake partner Jake Kowalchuk earned their spots by winning a mixed doubles curling regional qualifier at the Springfield Curling Club in Dugald on Jan. 3.
Smith and Kowalchuk took early control in the opening game by scoring two in each of the first two ends on the way to an 11-2 victory. In the clinching second draw, Smith and Kowalchuk broke open a 1-1 deadlock with three in the third end and five in the fifth to win another 11-2 decision. This one was called after six ends.
The partners gelled quickly, after only meeting in September. After a couple of practices, they entered the January regional qualifier.

“Those games were the first games we have ever played together,” Smith said. “We formed a team (after) he reached out to me. We have known each other for around three of four years, as we faced each other in inter-club curling.”
Smith said mixed doubles is different from traditional curling formats in several ways. For starters, there are only two players on each team. Teams throw just five rocks per end, compared to the usual eight.

“One player throws the first and the fifth rock which was me. The other player throws the middle three which was Jake,” Smith explained. “For the game, there’s always two rocks that are in play. The team that has hammer has the rock placed back four foot and the team that doesn’t have hammer has their rock placed as a centre guard, usually mid.”

Athletes between the ages of 10-17 will compete in 12 sports over seven days: ringette, archery, speed skating, futsal, alpine skiing, curling, gymnastics, figure skating, cross country skiing, wrestling, badminton and hockey. 

Sport Manitoba will release the complete Eastman team roster at the end of January. Eastman includes much of the Interlake and communities north of the Trans Canada Highway.

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