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August 21, 2007
Niagara Falls to Prairie Fire Storm
The Prairie Fire seared the Thunder before an ecstatic home town crowd of close to 4,000 fans at Regina Rugby Park, taking the lead early, and, even with an ongoing defensive struggle, kept the fire burning, cementing the victory in a penalty kick and a try in the dying minutes of the game. Darren Kapene kicked for two converts and three penalty kicks, leading the scoring for the Prairie Fire with a total of 13 points. Murray Smith, Peni Lutu and Drew Kendel fanned the flames, each scoring a five-point try. Scoring for the Niagara Thunder were Jordan Kozina and Jonathan Goldie with a try each. Steven Piatek rounded out the Thunder score with a convert kick. Head Coach Caine Elisara said the final score belies the struggle on the field. "Niagara played a really tough game, as we expected. Being in the finals the last two years really helped, giving the boys the experience and seasoning to take the championship this time out." The Prairie Fire took the western division in both 2005 and 2006, only to lose to the Newfoundland Rock in both national finals. Elisara rejoined the Prairie Fire after taking a break for the first part of the 2007 season to drive the Belmont Shore, California club to the USA Rugby Super League Championship in June, did double duty, adding coaching duties to his on-field skills. "It's been a real honour to coach the boys, and I couldn’t have done it without Prairie Fire Captain Jared Kirkland, and Assistant Coaches Nathan Perkins and Leo Lane. I’m really looking forward to next year and keeping the MacTier Cup here in Saskatchewan," he said. The Prairie Fire took the Rugby Canada Super League West Division title on July 28, defeating the Vancouver Wave to end the season with a perfect record. The Thunder also ended their season undefeated, with a win over two-time National champions the Newfoundland Rock, to take the Eastern Division title. Check out the Prairie Fire web site at prairiefiresask.com and the Rugby Canada Super League web site at rcsl.ca. RCSL Final PreviewsSaturday August 18, 2007 Joan Pratchler's plethora of volunteers are at it early making sure the Regina Rugby Union Park is ready for the expected onslaught of fans. Whether current players, old fans or new enthusiasts of the sport all attendees will be guaranteed a high quality sporting event with all the trimmings. Burgers, bratwurst and a beer or other beverage will help fans to settle in for the afternoon of entertainment and still have time to get to the Rider game. A sports fans dream day as two first place Saskatchewan teams battle it out on the football field and rugby pitch. Have a great day and please wear your orange and black to the Fire game (with a green jacket along for evening wear.) Also remember that the celebration will be going strong at the Rugby Club even after the football game has ended. So come back to celebrate two great victories on a great Saskatchewan sporting Saturday. Friday August 17, 2007 Friday feature some early morning walk throughs by both teams followed by a luncheon provided by Quizno’s and hosted at Young's Equipment. Friday night get a sneak preview of the team at the Captains Run held at the Regina Rugby Union Clubhouse. Time is undisclosed but think after supper and before dark. Thursday August 16, 2007 Meet and Greet at the Regina Rugby Union Clubhouse will see Heart of the Fire and Executive Club members mingle with the Fire players prior to viewing a 7:30 pm practice session in preparation for Saturdays match versus the Niagara Thunder. With Fire supporters gearing up for the weekends events the Fire players will be looking to execute their patterns perfectly as a teaser for expectant fans who are awaiting their chance to see the McTeer Cup hoisted by the home team Saturday. Niagara Thunder arrives late evening and will be staying at the Budget Inn so make sure you honk your horn as drive by (especially late at night) to say welcome to Regina. Wednesday August 15, 2007 Wednesday was a rest day from training for the Prairie Fire players, however most members of the squad use off practice days to hit the gym or do a little fitness work. Today they spent the morning at a press conference at the Regina Rugby Union Clubhouse with Minister of Culture Youth and Recreation Hon. Sandra Morin and Regina Councilman Terry Hincks. Both expressed their well wishes from the Province and the City as the Saskatchewan Prairie Fire represents the west in the RCSL final. The local media was out in force and questions focused on this third attempt at the title and how much the home field advantage is motivating the Fire. Late breaking news from the organizing committee meeting is that the Fire is very closed to finishing a deal that will see much loved Prairie Fire mascot The Flame (Sandy Monteith) return to duty at Regina Rugby Park just in time for the RCSL finals. "CAN YOU FEEL THE HEAT" Tuesday August 14, 2007 Tuesday saw practice on at both Regina Rugby Union Park as well as in Saskatoon as the Saskatchewan Prairie Fire engage in their ongoing battle with the geography of playing in a large province. Players practice in their home city once a week then meet in Craik on Thursdays at the approximate halfway mark of highway 11 to focus on team skills. On Fridays they assemble for the road trip or meet in Regina for a Captains run prior to the home games. Despite these challenges Coach Caine Elisara has his charges all on the same page as they prep for the biggest event in Saskatchewan Rugby history in the making. With several starting players with a few nicks this is the time for reserve players to get their reps in and hope for their own opportunity to hit the park as a starter in this third national final in three years. Look for the Fire to exhibit their usual fast pace and opportunistic style as they attempt to pressurize the Niagara Thunder defence into making mistakes and creating opportunities for the Fire from flankers to wings as the attack rarely lets up. With the return of Nanyak Dala (after he was forced to turn down his Canadian selection due to educational commitments) there is even more speed in the Fire’s engine. Take the opportunity to see the best of the west in RCSL championship action at 3pm on Saturday. Game is over by 4:30 which will leave sports fans an opportunity to celebrate with the team and other rugby enthusiasts prior to attending the Rider game later that evening or just stay at the Rugby Clubhouse and enjoy the famous hospitality of the Prairie Fire Rugby Football Club. See You at the Park. Monday August 13, 2007 Monday begins the work week for most of us but the Prairie Fire Rugby team have been hard at it all weekend long with an intense post-season training camp. Saturday and Sunday saw even the injured training with player/coach Caine Elisara overseeing as well as participating in drills and team continuity. With only one week remaining before their date with the Niagara Thunder in the Rugby Canada Superleague Championship the Fire are intent on wringing every advantage possible out of their three week break before the final. With ample parts rest and recuperation taken care of the Fire are focusing all their energy on prepping body and mind for their third try at the McTeer Cup (the symbol of Canadian Rugby Supremacy) in as many seasons. With two missteps against the Newfoundland Rock in 2005 at home and away in 2006 the Fire are concentrating on one thing...a victory in front of the home fans. Although the Fire had hoped to have another shot at the Rock they will settle for the Niagara Thunder as they seek to evaporate the infamous Niagara mist by turning up the HEAT on home territory. After an undefeated season there is only one game left and it is truly the only one that ever counts. Come out and see the Saskatchewan Prairie Fire’s superheated offence face the Eastern Reps on Saturday at 3 pm at the Regina Rugby Park 25th Ave and Pasqua Street. Advanced tickets $15.00 at the gate $20.00 or contact Dick Cornish at 585-3829 to purchase the Heart of the Fire VIP package. Either way make sure that this weekend that "YOU CAN FEEL THE HEAT". NewsAugust 16, 2007
Thunder Rugby ready to roll into Regina
This is the first time the Thunder has reached the final and expectations are high that the team will bring home the historic MacTier Cup to Ontario for the first time in the ten year history of the Super League. The Prairie Fire has lost to Newfoundland in the last two seasons and will carry that experience with them into this game. They will also expect a large partisan crowd of around 3,500 to support them, so the odds are slightly in the Fire’s favour. The greater Hamilton area is well represented on Thunder with five players and the assistant coach from Stoney Creek, three players and two managers from Burlington and six players each from Oakville and Brantford clubs. Of these, six are either recent or current McMaster University players including Jordan Kozina who was also a prominent Mac football team player before deciding to pursue his rugby interests. There is only one change from the team that beat the Rock last week, with Stoney Creek’s David Jones on the wing for Andrew Thomson, who is unable to travel with the team this weekend. Kick-off is at 3.00 pm Central time and the game will be relayed on MediaZone. David Jones, Brian Pearman, Donny Radisic, Geoff Sinke, Shawn Windsor - Stoney Creek; Harry Cheung, Alistair Clark, Spencer Fullerton, Andrew Lombard, Mike Scholz, Michael Sutherland – Oakville; Colin Brown – London; Chris Dubrawski, Jonathan, Dave Wilson – Burlington; Dave Knowles, Jordan Kozina, Matt Lindsay, Dave Neill, Steven Piatek, Adam Shouten, Devin Stubel – Brantford; Cam Mitchell – Brampton Head Coach Jeff Prince – Brantford; Assistant Coach Gary Whitley – Stoney Creek; Team Manager Peter Wilson, President David Burnett – Burlington; Athletic Therapist Charlotte Littlejohn
Rugby Canada Super League
The Niagara Thunder
August 16, 2007
Regina to experience Fire & Thunder in August 18th Final
"We're exceedingly proud to have won the Western championship and, with it, the right to host the national championship game, pitting some of the best rugby players in Canada against each other in the most exciting game of the season," said Prairie Fire Head Coach, Caine Elisara. "It's going to be a great game, the teams have similar styles of play and it’s going to be a very fun game for the fans to watch - whether they know rugby or not." Prairie Fire Club President Tim Young says the game wouldn’t be possible without the support of sponsors such as SaskSport, Sun Life, Labatt Breweries, DirectWest and O'Hanlon's Pub, and the hard work of the many volunteers involved. "A lot of work goes into hosting a national championship at this level of competition, and I want to thank our sponsors and all of the volunteers for their efforts, involvement and support," he says. The Prairie Fire won the Rugby Canada Super League West Division title on July 28, defeating the Vancouver Wave to end the season with a perfect record. The Thunder also ended their season undefeated, with a win over two-time National champions the Newfoundland Rock, to take the Eastern Division title. Game time is 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, at the Regina Rugby Club, Pasqua Street at 25th Avenue. Advance tickets are $15 at the Rider Ticket Office, O’Hanlon’s Pub, Young's Equipment, The Press Box and the West Soccer Rugby Shop. Tickets at the gate will be $20, with children under 12 admitted free. Check out the Prairie Fire web site at prairiefiresask.com and the Rugby CanadaSuper League web site at rcsl.ca for more information.
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August 3, 2007
The Prairie Fire RFC defeated the Vancouver Wave RFC by a score of 38 - 17 today in Rugby Canada Super League action in Vancouver. Scoring for the Prairie Fire were Brennan Marcoux with 2 tries and 1 convert, Nanyak Dala with 2 tries, Caine Elisara with one try and Darren Kapene with 4 converts and 1 penalty kick. The victory earned the Prairie Fire the right to play in the National Championship on August 18th at Regina Rugby Park. It is the third consecutive Western Canadian Championship for the Prairie Fire RFC. The Fire will host the winner of the game between the defending National champion, the Newfoundland Rock RFC and the Niagara Thunder RFC to be played next weekend.
July 30, 2007
Prairie Fire do it again! The Saskatchewan Prairie Fire have secured a berth in the Rugby Canada Super League Championship, which will be held on Saturday August 18th, 2007 at Regina Rugby Park. This is the third year in a row that the Fire have been perfect in regular season play and they hope to be able to finish 2007 as the Rugby Canada Super League champions. Tickets will be available soon for the Championship Game. In 2005 when the Fire hosted the championship last there were over 3500 in Regina Rugby Park and the atmosphere was electric. Be sure to get your tickets and come on down to support the Fire as they hope the third time is the charm for a Rugby Canada Super League National Championship win! Can You Feel the Heat!
June 8, 2007
Canada.com Article on Darren Kapene
May 28, 2007
Thank you very much for your patience while we got the Brushfire Program organized this year. Unfortunately, there has been a sharp increase in insurance costs which will be reflected in the cost of participating in the program this year. Remember that there is funding available through KidSport if required. Brushfire Registration will be held THURSDAY MAY 30TH from 6:00 - 8:00 at the Regina Rugby Clubhouse located at 4025 25th Avenue, Regina. If you are unable to make that date and time email Joan Hrycyk (jlhrycyk@sasktel.net) your information and she will have the forms available for you to fill out on Sunday. Please include your son/daughter's t-shirt size. We are going to start Brushfire on Sunday June 3rd from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Rugby Park. It will run every Sunday through June {3,10, 17, 24} and then Monday July 2nd with the wrap up on Saturday July 7th on Prairie Fire Family Day for all the kids who have participated in the program - each family will receive 4 tickets to attend the Prairie Fire Game vs. Manitoba Buffalo. The fees include Brushfire T-Shirt, snack/drink midway through each session, and 4 tickets to the July 7th Prairie Fire Family Day Game. The fees are as follows: Ages 4 - 6: $30 insurance plus $20 registration fee - mini program that will focus on ball handling and fun games/activities for the children; Ages 7 - 14: $30 insurance plus $20 registration fee; Each participant MUST have a MOUTH GUARD to participate - no mouth guard - no play!!! They are available at West Side Soccer Rugby Shop, SportChek or most sporting goods stores at a reasonable cost - it would be beneficial to buy a couple as they tend to get lost quite easily!!! Balls can be purchased for $20.00/each from the West Soccer Rugby Shop located at 2551 Quance Street, Regina, SK, S4V 2X7. Phone 347-8020. If you have any questions please call or email me. Thanks Joan
May 23, 2007
With five former Prairie Fire players set to start for Canada against the New Zealand Maori this Friday in Bedford, England for the Churchill cup, it is hard to argue that the Prairie Fire Rugby Program is a successful breeding ground for top athletes. The six country international Churchill Cup tournament will feature former Fire standout prop Kevin "T-Bone" Tkatchuk who scored the first ever try for the Fire along with Scott Franklin, also a former player for the Fire. Scrum half and captain Ed Fairhurst, fly half Derek Daypuck and winger/goal kicker James Pritchard will round out the players who have contributed to the Saskatchewan program. Due to an injury in last weekend's game against Ireland, flanker Nanyak Dala will not be playing. The young and very able Fullback DTH van der Merve was also selected for this tour but is also out due to injury. In addition, the first ever Fire coach Rick "Sluggo" Suggitt will be at the helm, coaching our national team to what we hope will be our best Churchill Cup showing ever in preparation for this years World Cup matches. As you can see Saskatchewan rugby has a lot to be proud of, and we look forward to the chance to watch this season's team produce future nationals. Can You Feel The Heat !!!!!!!
April 2, 2007
Prairie Fire U20 Coach Nathan Perkins has arrived from his home in Grenfell, NSW, Australia. His arrival coincides with the Regina contingent taking their training out of doors, and will ramp up the training sessions of our Saskatoon faction as he travels from his new home in Regina to the training grounds in Saskatoon. Saskatoon has been training once a week at the Field house and will soon move outdoors as well awaiting the arrival of Doug Herauff, the Fire Head coach who is set to arrive the first week of May. In addition to the Coaching news, the Prairie Fire sponsorship packages are available from Paul.Burch@directwest.com and offer a great value to those looking to support the two time Western Division champions as they strive to follow through on a National Championship on home turf in 2007. Exciting things are falling into place for the 2007 Fire with Youth Development Officer's expected to be arriving in late April to run the Brush Fire clinics which saw rugby introduced to hundreds of children from ages 8-12. For information on the continuing open try-outs for the Prairie Fire please contact manager Russ Kirkland of Globe Fabrics at 306-522-2619.
March 20, 2007
Contract negotiations have been finalized between the Prairie Fire and 2007 Head Coach Doug Charles Hauff of Queensland, Australia. Doug is set to arrive in May, and the Fire have begun indoor training under long time veteran Adam Albeck. Practices in Regina have been taking place at Martin Collegiate on Tuesdays and Fridays with Saskatoon sessions being held on Thursday evenings at the indoor Soccer Fields. The Fire Committee has begun their 2007 fundraising campaign, with Heart of the Fire memberships being available now. Contact any player for details or email Paul Burch at Paul.Burch@directwest.com or Joan Hrycyck at jhrycyck@sasktel.net for details or to renew your membership. This season promises an exciting run at our third Western Division Championship and a great opportunity to challenge for the McTier Cup, which will be held in the Western Division Champions home town, offering the extra incentive of a home championship game. Many players are confirmed as returning, including Captain Jerad Kirkland, Front row monster Hugh Buydens, and the explosive Nanyak Dala. In addition, rumours abound that some very high caliber players will be brought in to bolster the team, playing beside local powerhouses like Lee Moffat and Drew Kendel. A reminder that the clubhouse is open to the public but running on winter hours. Call down at 585-1229 for open times or pop by any Thursday night for a delicious pint of Guinness, proud sponsor of Rugby Canada. |
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