WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair estimates that she spends over 300 days a year on the road. On Sunday, February 23, 2020 she will be in Brandon as the second generation wrestler is scheduled to wrestle in a Triple Threat Match for the RAW Women's Championship against Asuka and the current WWE RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch. Carlotte, often called the 'Queen' of WWE, is the daughter of legendary WWE star and Hall of Famer Ric Flair. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today she said that speaks with her father 5-6 times a day. While people are expecting her to share crazy stories about being the daughter of a famous wrestler, she said that knows him as "just dad". "Just like any father out there he grounded me, made me drink my milk, or finish my homework" stated Charlotte. She started training to be a wrestler in 2012 and 1-year later she figured she had what it took to make a living at it. The former 2016 PWI World's Top Female Professional wrestler of the Year said that her previous experience as a University volleyball player (captain) provided her with many of the tools required to become a WWE Superstar including being a good teammate, a leader, and the competitive drive to make a difference. Had wrestling not worked out she said she likely would have become a personal trainer or a coach. When asked what people of Brandon can expect to see from Charlotte when she hits the squared circle at Westoba Place she simply stated "they will see why I am called the Queen of the WWE". She enjoys wrestling on smaller shows, and at smaller venues, as it allows for greater fan interaction and the wrestlers are not competing with TV commercial time. WWE Live: Road to WrestleMania tickets can be purchased here. Show time on the 23rd is 7pm.

The 3rd annual Micheal Ferland Hockey School will take place in Virden, MB at Tundra Oil and Gas Place. The camp (July 9-12, 2020) will be open to the following age groups: Novice, Atom, Peewee and Bantam. Last year's event proved to be very successful with each age group selling out. "What makes the Micheal Ferland hockey school unique is that Micheal Ferland is heavily involved in the camp. He is on the ice daily with the kids, interacting and really bringing that personalized experience to the camp." To register online for the Micheal Ferland hockey school please visit the website.  Some of last year's guest instructors included Ryan Pulock and Travis Sanheim. The former Brandon Wheat Kings player player started a hockey school two years ago as he wanted to give back to the kids in Brandon and surrounding areas.  After playing several seasons with the NHL's Calgary Flames, and a season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he is now a member of the Vancouver Canucks.

Being a late bloomer might just be the secret to loving the sport of curling, but don’t tell that to the kids. Pat McKenzie ‘officially’ started playing in her 40s after growing up watching her father on the ice. He was an avid curler, who seemed to teach by osmosis. Years later, Pat joined the women’s league and began teaching the game to junior curlers aged 6 to 14. Their youthful enthusiasm has inspired Pat to be a volunteer instructor for more than 11 years. Some of her students have become top competitors. “I love watching our junior curlers develop their skills,” says Pat. “Sometimes they can be a handful, but mostly, as long as I make it fun for them, they are excited to learn. I remember one year after Christmas break, every one of the students got one across the hog line. I asked if they all had Wheaties in their turkey stuffing…. I was so excited to see it click for them. They surprise me every week. That’s my reward.” While ensuring that the kids love the game is her top priority, Pat admits she hopes some of them make it to the provincial level. “I was very proud last season to have two of three former students move to the Manitoba hit tap and draw competition in Brandon at the brier. At the regional level, two of her students moved onto the provincial level and one of them won her age group. I was like a proud mom.” With a busy schedule as a REALTOR® and volunteer instructor, Pat still makes time to play in the ladies’ league. She aims to be part of team that can offer their competitors a good game. Although her personal ambitions are modest, Pat could not resist rubbing the famed Brier cup for luck at last year’s competition (pictured above). Back on her home ice at the Riverview Curling Club, Pat is looking forward to a strong junior season, thanks in part to a recent grant of $500 from the Bob Picken Junior Legacy Fund. Pat is pleased to report that the grant will help to purchase equipment such as stabilizers for new players and sliders. To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com (submitted)

Softball Manitoba Umpires held their annual appreciation lunch and awards presentation a few months ago and Brandon's Jason Goudreau was named the Kahunaverse Wayne Deschouwer Umpire of the Year for 2019. Jason has been a softball umpire for 5-years now and estimated that he does about 40-50 games a year. He tells bdnmb.ca that he first got involved umping as he had friends who were umpires which also helped make the transition easier. He also was quick to point out that he wouldn’t be where he is today, and accomplished what he has, without strong mentors in Earl Cheasley, Bruce Luebke, and Brad Degraeve. Some of Jason's accomplishments in 2019 included: Received his Level III certification at a two-day clinic in Winnipeg in the spring of 2019. Attended the 2019 Blue Convention in Montreal in April and took his Instructor / Evaluator course. Instructed at the Level I-!! clinics held in Brandon. Mentored young officials in Western Manitoba during the season. Officiated at the Kiwi Cup, Softball Manitoba U16 Girls’ Championship and at the MHSAA Championship. Officiated at the Softball Canada U16 Boys’ Championship in Saskatoon, and was rewarded for a strong week by being given the plate assignment in the gold medal game. As for the 2020 ball season, Jason will be taking his practical for his level 4 and getting himself prepared for nationals next season to get his full 4. This year he will doing 19 Westerns in Winnipeg, hopefully, and the Kiwi Cup men’s ball here in Brandon.

Central Plains Capitals goalie Ty Houge made an astounding 83 saves in a single game on Sunday against the AAA Bantam Parkland Rangers. The 15-year old faced 96 shots in total as Parkland toppled Central Plains 13-2. Brayden Dube tallied five goals and added two assists for Parkland who improved to 20-8 on the season. With the loss the Capitals dropped to 0-30. A copy of the league's game sheet can be found here.