Submitted Wednesday night saw the U14 Westman Magic Softball team conclude their regular season play in the Manitoba Women’s Super Softball League with a double header at the Ashley Neufeld Diamonds.  The visiting Winnipeg Thunder team succumb to the strength of your Magic team allowing for a 5-0 and 2-1 Westman victory. The U14 Westman Magic team was selected last fall from western Manitoba. These committed young ladies from Brandon, Boissevain, Neepawa, Killarney and Newdale have successfully won Gold in Saskatoon, Silver in Fargo ND and Third in Regina and now have their sights set on a solid Provincial showing. A top three finish at Provincials is well within reach for these accomplished U14 players possibly earning them the right to represent Manitoba at the national level in Montreal this coming August.

Submitted BRANDON—July 10, 2018—The Westman Regional Soccer Association (WRSA) has officially declared the Brandon Youth Soccer Association (BYSA) a “member not in good standing." As such, BYSA is now a non-sanctioned entity and is no longer eligible to receive any services from WRSA, and all current services being utilized will cease immediately. All BYSA teams, players and coaches are barred from competing in any sanctioned leagues, tournaments or competitions, regardless of when they registered or if the league or competition has already begun. As a non-sanctioned entity, WRSA cannot say that BYSA is insured with MSA/Sport Manitoba. It is with great disappointment WRSA had to take this step once again with this association, but it was not receiving the support required from BYSA to successfully run youth soccer programming in the region. On April 13, 2018, WRSA sent a letter to BYSA’s Board of Directors outlining concerns regarding the working relationship between WRSA and BYSA’s Staff and executive committee and the remainder of the BYSA board. The letter highlighted how the executive committee was making independent decisions that undermined the policies and procedures of the WRSA, and how some of these executive decisions and lack of communication prevented the BYSA board of directors from collaborating and working as a unified body during a pivotal time in the history of the association. These actions have prevented WRSA from establishing a strong working relationship and effective partnership with BYSA and caused unnecessary confusion and frustration for our members (players, parents, coaches). The letter sent in April also warned BYSA that if they could not uphold their responsibilities as a WRSA member there would be further disciplinary action. BYSA exhibited no changes in its actions and continued in failing to fulfil its responsibilities, therefore, WRSA is left with no choice but to declare BYSA a “member not in good standing.” The following disciplinary actions are being assessed to BYSA for non-compliance and failure to fulfill the responsibilities of a WRSA member community: 1. BYSA is being fined $500.00 for the unnecessary use of WRSA’s time and resources and the undue hardship to members (coaches, parents, players) that was caused by BYSA’s non-compliance. In addition to the fine, WRSA also mandates a Performance Bond of $2000.00 which will be returned to BYSA upon maintaining member in good standing status for one year. 2. BYSA’s executive committee must follow all By-Laws of the association, specifically as they relate to the functions and powers of the Executive Committee to “overrule” or change motions that have been passed by the BYSA Board of Directors. 3. BYSA’s Board of Directors must undergo board governance training. 4. BYSA must undergo an audit by a third party and share the full documentation of the audit with its membership and the regional association WRSA. BYSA will remain a member not in good standing until all of the above conditions have been met. WRSA’s top priority is keeping kids on the field and playing. We are stronger together and can improve the quality of youth soccer in Westman, but only when all involved parties understand their roles and responsibilities and fulfill them.

This past weekend your local U14 Westman Magic Softball team traveled to Fargo ND to participate in the “A Division at the Red River Rage Tournament. The team was selected last fall from Western Manitoba that includes players from Brandon, Neepawa, Killarney, Boissevain and Newdale. The tournament comprised of 16 teams brought out the competitive success of these young ladies earning them a second place finish in the Gold Division adding to their Gold medal finish in Saskatoon.

This past weekend the Brandon Heat U16B softball team was in Steinbach competing in the Provincial Championship.  The tournament started on Friday morning and saw the Heat go undefeated in their pool for the round-robin portion which then placed them in the final 8 teams out of a total 23 teams competing (top 2 teams from each pool).  On Sunday morning they advanced to the final 4 after beating Russell 7 to 3, and then to the championship final after defeating Virden by a score of 16 to 3.  In the final game they faced the undefeated Boni-Vital East 1 team and after 7 innings, the Heat were victorious by a score of 8 to 2.  The heat advisory could very well have been for the opponents of these determined girls as they came together and showed the other teams what can happen if they underestimate the Heat

Brandon's Jaxon Jacobson was named the tournament MVP at the prestigious Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament held in Edmonton each summer.  The forward finished the tournament with 9 points in 6 games in Conference play, on the strength of 5 goals and 4 assists.  He was also named a 1st team all-star forward.  Now in it's 29th year, the tournament showcases the top 10-year old hockey players in North America.  Many players who have played in the tournament have gone on to NHL careers including the likes of Johnny Guadreau, Tyler Sequin, Dougie Hamilton and PK Subban.