"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 and are looking for bigger things in future seasons.
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, 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.
Monty Tichkowsky recieving a Reapers Award from Head Coach Dean Murten
Reaper Women
Reaper Men