Category Archives: Rugby

Yarn September October 2025

We recently had a road trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoyed some great sights, sites and scenery going and coming. But in all seven states through which we passed, smoky skies reminded us of the northern Manitoba bushfires.

Over 2 million hectares are affected, making them the worst on record. Which is why it was heartening to learn of the assistance from Kiwi and Aussie firefighting teams [July 13, 2025]:

“Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed an additional 43-person taskforce to Manitoba, Canada, to bolster the local response to more than 500 actives wildfires currently burning in the region.

“‘This deployment is in addition to the seven firefighters who left New Zealand on Wednesday. As wildfires continue to burn across Canada it is important that New Zealand supports the firefighting efforts by Canadian crews,’ said Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden.

“An initial contingent of 96 Australian personnel from NSW, WA and Victoria are supporting Canada’s fire suppression operations in Alberta. They have arrived in Edmonton for briefings and will travel to the fires on 12 June, commencing a 35-day deployment.

“The personnel will fill Incident Management Team, arduous crew, and deployment manager roles. The deployment continues a strong resource sharing relationship between AFAC NRSC and CIFFC, and international support and collaboration between the two countries.”

Thanks to Katrina Epp for sending her travel news (p.3). Her mention of Kea sightings during her family visit in NZ brought to mind my encounter with one back in ’74 and prompted this issue’s Birds I view subject (p.8).

Enjoy the write up about Her Excellency Kate Logan’s visit to Winnipeg (p.6), Michael’s AFL column (p.7), and welcome to the Tundra (p.5).

Thanks also to Jenny for her many contributions in this issue and, as always, our advertisers and readers.

Last Chance for Haka Rugby Camp

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Haka Rugby is heading to Winnipeg. The three-day camp is from Thursday July 25 to Saturday July 27 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Hosted by Winnipeg’s Assassins Rugby Football Club, the camp is run by Haka Rugby Global, which fuses its passion for rugby with New Zealand’s Māori culture and heritage to help develop the next generation of leaders.

The camp is tailored to girls and boys in the U8 to U16 age range, and participants are supported in a safe and controlled environment, where they will learn skills that apply both on and off the rugby pitch.

Players aged 14 to 16 will also receive a more in-depth experience of elite training.

“The camps explore a different side to rugby, especially as they are a fun way to expose Māori culture to a wider audience, as well as connecting kids with rugby,” said Caleb Stick, Haka Rugby Global’s North American co-ordinator.

For more information:
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/sports/2024/07/17/haka-rugby-camps-coming-to-winnipeg-july-25-27

Yarn July August 2024

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The Southern Yarn for July-August 2024

24-Yarn_0708-JulyAug The Southern Yarn for July August is complete and posted here for your enjoyment.

Here is the editorial to get you started:

I’m a bit too old and unfit for cricket these days, but there was a time when I, along with other younger and fitter fellow DUCW members, played and enjoyed the game at a competitive level. In the winter we played (and won the championship) indoors (with a tennis ball) and in the summer we played at Assiniboine Park. We had to stake out the boundary and peg a large mat down for the pitch. So, it is good to learn that an upgrade is in the works (see p.5) since there are now so many new Canadians, particularly from South Asia, who also want to continue enjoying their traditional sport.

With the Paris Olympics about to start, we will no doubt soon be cheering on and celebrating new heroes. Australia’s and New Zealand’s first Olympians get a mention on p. 4.

There is also more of our Club history (see p.6), thanks to Jenny Gates and our bird this month is the oriole. Thanks again to all our sponsors, contributors and advertisers.

Charlie

Yarn July August 2023

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The Southern Yarn, July-August 2023

Interesting how one thing leads to another, eh? I recently came across a good example of this concerning the other Australian national anthem. In the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Waltzing Matilda was played by mistake for Marjorie Jackson’s gold medal presentation, instead of God Save the Queen. Anyhow, to find out how its tune came to be, see “Did you know” p.7.

Also included in this issue are several stories of how the “Lest we forget” sentiment continues to be honored: a commemorative ceremony in Cairns, Queensland, for a WWII Catalina crew, a similar event in Summerville, Nova Scotia, for the loss of 4 airmen in a training accident 80 years ago, and the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and service personnel to honor the war dead through involvement in War Graves projects.

And there’s the usual variety of other news, humour and summer-reading pleasure.

Haka Rugby is coming to Winnipeg

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Haka Rugby is once again hosting its Elite 2-Day Camp right here in Winnipeg on Thursday July 27 and Friday July 28 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Assassins Rugby Football Club, Maple Grove Rugby Park, 190 Frobisher Rd.