"Train Hard, Achieve Greatness"
The Reapers Rugby Club was established in 2004. It began with a couple of players living in Lloydminster who had to travel to Edmonton or Saskatoon in order to participate in the sport of Rugby. Shaine Wald and Scott Noble had the thought that there might be enough interest in the sport within Lloydminster to establish it's own club. Advertisements were put on both the newspaper and radio for the first practice at Lakeland College. Unfortunately, only two people showed up to the first practice, Shaine and Scott. Without expecting too much, the boys decided to try again, the second practice had 8 people show up, the third had 14, and the Reapers Rugby Club had been established.
For the first two years, the Reapers were a men's team that scheduled exhibition games between Alberta and Saskatchewan teams. Chris Scramsted scored the teams first try during the first exhibition game against Cold Lake, and the team went on to get a victory in it's first game. 2006 was a big year for the growth of the Reapers. The Reapers women's team was established and the men's team joined the North Saskatchewan Rugby Union out of Saskatoon Division II. The Reapers lost out in the first round of playoffs the first year of league play in Division II. However, 2007-2009 the Reapers men's Division II team won 3 straight league and provinical titles. The 2008 season was the Reapers perfect season going 14-0.
In 2009 the Reapers had enough players on the men's team to create both a Division I and Division II team. The Division I team had a phenomenal season for being it's first year in the league. During the regular season the team was undefeated and suprising favorites to win the league. The Reapers lost the final game. The Division I men's team came back in their second season 2010 to win the North Saskatchewan Rugby Union League Championship. They then went on to lose the final game of the provincial championship. The Reaper's men and womens team have both set their goals of achieving the provincial titles and being the best rugby club in Saskatchewan.
Much of the early success of the Reapers organization can be attributed to the dedication, hard work, and volunteering of time by many unselfish individuals. Dean Murten, was posted with the British Army in Wainwright in 2004. During this time he got involved with coaching the newly formed Reapers men's team. Dean's posting concluded and in 2006 he returned to Lloydminster because he saw amazing potential in both the players and the city of Lloydminster. Dean's continued drive to expand the exposure of Rugby to the local community has led him to coach and assist with different teams. These include the U16 Saskatchewan Boys, U18 Sk Boys, and with the help of Lyndsay Ryall, they established and head coached the U20 and Senior Men's Wolverines in 2009.
Many more Reapers members have been contributing back to the Rugby community in Lloydminster. Steve Wytrykusz, Chris den Ouden, Chris Scramstad, Nicole Armstrong, Jo Tichkowsky, Stu Tichkowsky, Joel Bolton, Dwayne Lessner, Janet Hodgson, Dean Campbell, Ryan Lee, and Todd Wilson are all members that have found the time to play Rugby, as well as dedicate lots of thier time to growing Youth Rugby through coaching, managing and training Junior High, High School and the Mini Reapers organizations.
The Reapers club has also established the Junior Festival of Rugby in Lloydminster. This is the largest High School tournament in Saskatchewan. Teams from accross the province travel to Lloydminster and enjoy the competitive spirit of rugby while also enjoying the friendship and comraderie that comes with it. The Reapers continue to get interest from teams wanting to compete and thanking the community for hosting such an event.
The Reapers are very proud of players that can take thier game to the next level through hard work, training and dedication. In 2009 members of the Reapers made the U20 Wolverines: Jens Eggen, Cole Smith, Brock Bargen, and Tyler Powers. Reapers talent was also present on the Men's Wolverine team in 2009: Joel Bolton, Kili Mikaele, Jeff Noble, and Dwayne Lessner. Three women represented the Reapers on the U23 Saskatchewan team in 2009: Pascal Tichkowsky, Joelle Lewis, and Justyne Boisson.
Another one of our members has been making amazing strides in Canadian Rugby. Monty Tichkowsky joined the Reapers in 2006. In 2008 he recieved a scholorship from Shawnigan Lake High School, BC. He continues to play Reapers club rugby in the summers. Monty made the U18 Saskatchewan team which participated in the Canada games in 2009 and won 9 of it's 10 games. He then continued on to make the U17 Canada team and participated in internationl play in 2010. Most recently Monty was given an invite and try-out for the Canadian Men's Rugby 7's team! The Reapers wish Monty all the best and continued success. This shows how rugby can open doors to amazing experiences and top notch education.
 | Reapers Rugby Club Head Coach
2006 - 2010 Dean Murten "Train Hard, Achieve Greatness" Dean was the head coach of the Reapers since 2006. He first got involved with the club in 2004 while positioned in Camp Wainwright, and previously coached the a British Military team CIYMS RFC in Belfast. Dean has a vision of growing the sport and introducing as many people to the game he loves as possible. He not only coached the 3 Reapers teams but also found time to coach, U16 Saskatchewan Provincial team, U20 North Saskatchewan Wolverines, Sr. Mens North Saskatchewan Wolverines, and gets involved in Junior Rugby everywhere he can. |
| Reapers Rugby
Women's Coach 2007 and 2011 Derek Megraw Derek was born in Lincoln England and grew up in Belfast Northern Ireland. He started playing school rugby at the age 11 and continued at the age of 19 with his British Army Squadron. He played at the regimental level for 12 years, winning Royal Armoured Corps Cup and the Calvary Cup finals in 1990. A career tight head prop who got a chance at playing a back position only twice and quote "thought how easy a position that was" seeing as how he didn't get involved in the play very much and never got put there again! Derek moved to Lloydminster in 2007 and coached until Dean Murten took over the full club coaching duties in 2007/08. Derek again agreed to take on the women's team coaching duties in 2011. He ran top notch physically challenging practices, has a passion for the game and his no nonsense coaching style brought the best out of our ladies come game time. |
Monty Tichkowsky recieving a Reapers Award from Head Coach Dean Murten
Reaper Women
Reaper Men