Latest news with #Inter-ProvincialTournament
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Girls from Queens High impress at rugby week under coach Xosana
Girls from Queens High impress at rugby week under coach Xosana Lindi Xosana, head coach of Queens High School's women's rugby team, shares her insights on the growing prominence of women in rugby. She highlights the significance of the 2025 FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week, where eight of her players participated, showcasing their talent on a national stage. Although Queens High School wasn't competing directly, Xosana took pride in seeing her players' hard work pay off, while cheering them on from the sidelines. ALSO READ: Golden Lions and Border shine at Rugby Week kickoff Xosana, the mastermind behind Queens High School's rugby programme, oversees three divisions (U14, U16, and U18). Xosana's own journey began when she was inspired to play rugby in 2014, eventually transitioning into a player-coach role. Her passion and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the school's rugby programme. She took on the coaching role at Queens High School, and despite having limited knowledge of the sport, she learned on the job. She taught herself and pursued coaching certifications—starting with her Level 1 certificate and now working towards Level 2. Xosana has built a reputation in women's rugby, coaching various teams, including Gauteng Women's Rugby in Springs and Valke Women's Rugby. ALSO READ: Join Simmer Rugby's junior programme She has produced talented players who have gone on to compete at a national level. She highlights her success with the Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute and Valke Women's Rugby, stating, 'When Covid-19 hit, I had already been invited to coach at the Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute and with the Valke women's team. In the Valke U20 squad, I also produced a Springbok player who went on to wear the national colours.' Xosana has successfully coached all three Queens High School divisions since her return from Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute in 2024. She emphasises her advocacy for women's rugby, stating, 'As a coach, I fight for our spotlight as women in the rugby space.' Queens High School hosted the Girls Rugby Week tournament, leveraging its multiple fields to manage the matches efficiently. U16 and U18 games ran concurrently. Xosana recalls her return to Queens High School in 2024, where she was surprised by the number of girls who showed interest in joining the rugby team. 'I announced in the assembly that all girls who wanted to join the team should come to the sports ground after school to register. At that time, none of the players knew me, because I had left for a few years. Ninety girls showed up, wanting to register.' Since then, she has produced talented players who have competed in the Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), a platform that showcases young talent and provides a pathway to higher levels of rugby. ALSO READ: Elsburg Eagles Rugby: Unstoppable in Valke President's Cup with historic victories Xosana also coaches the Raiders Rugby Club (women's division), which competes in the Golden Lions Women's League. The team has delivered impressive performances, including a 102–7 win over Alberton Rugby Club (women's). They continue their strong record, with only one loss, a narrow 24-22 defeat to Pirates. Xosana emphasises the need to improve fitness to compete with top teams like the University of Johannesburg. 'Otherwise, we are confident that we will finish the league in top position if not first.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Winnipeg Free Press
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
A seniors cricket league of their own
The first time Manitoba sent a senior cricket team to a tournament could not have gone better, as Manitoba's masters squad came away from the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament last month with a championship — and inspiration to start a seniors league of their own. Asif Khan, who plays for the Manitoba Eagles in the Premier Division of the Manitoba Cricket Association and for Manitoba's newly formed seniors team, has been playing cricket in Canada since 2012 when he moved to Winnipeg from Pakistan. 'I was thinking to retire, because it was so challenging, I'm almost 50,' said Khan on playing cricket. 'And when you play with the youngsters, they are totally different.' SUPPLIED Asif Khan (right), holds his trophy for best wicketkeeper at the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament in his left hand and the tourney trophy in his right, alongside his Team Manitoba teammate Rauf Mohammed. But when a member of the senior cricket league in Ontario approached clubs in various provinces to compete in the first Inter-Provincial Tournament, Khan showed interest. Sponsored by Mondetta Canada Inc. — a Winnipeg-based clothing company that is also supporting cricket field developments in Assiniboine Park — a senior team was put together to play in the tournament. 'We represent 40 nationalities and cultures at Mondetta, and we believe in supporting their pursuits, such as sports like cricket,' said Tony Lavilla, creative director at Mondetta. 'We're proud to support a growing sport like cricket that appeals and is a part of the culture of so many of our staff.' Manitoba went on to defeat Team Ontario White in the finals by three wickets in a tournament that ran from June 23-27 in Mississauga, Ont., and Brampton, Ont., where teams from Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario competed. 'It was good to see that the province has participated,' said Khan. 'It was so encouraging and now that we're back in Manitoba, we are supporting, we are working hard to get the senior league started.' The MCA currently runs a recreational cricket league on Wednesday evenings and hosts practice programs for senior players throughout the winter. But many senior players like Khan, although grouped by their cricket level, still play on teams with mixed age groups. 'There are a lot of senior players separately, playing in different clubs, but it's not as Ontario and other provinces where there is a particular senior league, where over 40, over 50, over 60, they have different leagues where different age groups can play in their own (league). The competition is on the same level, not like a mixed match,' said Khan. MCA president Paramjit Shahi says this is soon to change, and is planning to run a full-fledged senior league next year. 'The expansion we have discussed with a lot of seniors,' said Shahi. 'You know, cricket has been played in Manitoba since 1872. So when cricket started expanding in the last five, six years, those players who are playing cricket for a long time now, basically, they are close to their retirements, over 40 or over 50 years of age. So we want to make sure they are engaged in cricket and their experience, their vision is valued.' Enough interest has been shown that Shahi expects there will be enough players for at least four to five teams to participate in a senior league. The MCA is exploring different options for scheduling games and finding cricket pitches, which can be complicated since pitches are hard to find as the sport's popularity continues to grow in the province. SUPPLIED Team Manitoba poses with the tourney trophy after winning the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament last month. Manitoba Cricket Association president Paramjit Shahi says the association plans to run a full-fledged senior league in Manitoba next year. However, the Assiniboine Park cricket field developments, where active play is expected to resume in 2026, could help. 'That's going to be a beautiful facility that will be of international competition quality,' said Lavilla. 'We believe in supporting passions, whether they're for sports or activities.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Playing on a senior team was a motivating experience for Khan, who was named best wicketkeeper of the Inter-Provincial Tournament. 'Oh, that was great joy to me,' said Khan, who missed the first match with a knee injury. 'I mean, I was not expecting that, but I am so happy, and that actually pushes me to do better, and hopefully with some fitness, I will do good in the regular league as well.' Khan says the Manitoba squad did not expect to come out on top but was happy to defeat some of the strongest senior teams in Canada, hoping the group will continue playing together in future tournaments. 'The best part of our team, it was working together, and we were just supporting everyone,' said Khan.
