Ricky Barker

Ricky Barker

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 08:07

Home pool advantage

The Swan Valley Rapids Swim Club held their home swim meet this past weekend (July 20), with many local family and friends coming out to support the home club. Local swimmers competed against a handful of other clubs from around Manitoba. Here, Madeline Buchanan gets set to dive into the water during her heat. 

Tuesday, 15 July 2025 08:23

Back on the Links

The Swan River Golf and Country Club held the Doaks Esso Mixed Night on July 4, with friends, family, and couples all enjoying a night of golf. Here, Emma Formo chips onto the green.

Tuesday, 08 July 2025 08:26

Competitive Edge

The Swan Valley Stock Car Club held their second race weekend of the season this past weekend (June 5-6). The club drew a good number of fans out to the track, while enjoying beautiful racing weather. Here, Nick Baskier challenges his opponents while making the turn.

Tuesday, 08 July 2025 08:24

Classic Cars on Canada Day

Benito held some activities to celebrate Canada, including hosting a classic car show at Buffalo Junction on July 1. Brad Kushniryk checks out some classic cars on display. Benito also held a pancake breakfast and supper to celebrate the 158th birthday of Canada...

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 09:05

For the Love of Fathers

The Swan Valley A&W held their Father’s Day Car Show this past weekend (June 15), with a handful of participants showing off their old fashioned cars from the past. The people’s choice award went to Michael Cychmistruk...

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 09:03

The Ultimate "Fun" Draiser

The Swan Valley Golf and Country Club (SRGCC) teamed up with the Swan Valley Legacy Committee to bring back the highly anticipated Golf Bonanza this past Saturday (June 14) to raise funds for the proposed Swan Valley Recreation Centre and SRGCC...

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 08:06

For the Evacuees Sake

On 15 Parkway Drive, Aniyah Strate (Left) and Rylee Webster (Right) set up a lemonade stand (June 6) to raise funds for the evacuees who fled their hometown’s to evade the wildfires in the northern region of Manitoba. The money raised would go towards ice cream coupons for those in need.

Tuesday, 03 June 2025 08:24

Swinging for the fences

The Atkinson Slo-Pitch Softball League continued league play this past Wednesday (May 28), with four teams in action, drawing some attention from local slo-pitch fans..

Tuesday, 08 April 2025 08:47

Stampeders host successful Spring ID Camp

The Swan Valley Stampeders held their Spring ID Camp this past weekend (April 4-6) with 40 players from all over Western Canada competing and showing their skills in front of the Stampeder coaching and scouting staff.
“The camp as a whole was very successful,” said Stampeders Head Coach Josh Tripp. “The level and pace of all of the games was super high and I was pleased with what I saw.”
The Stampeders welcomed six goaltenders, eight defenceman, and 24 forwards to the weekend for two practices, two off-ice workouts, a player seminar meeting held at the Elks Hall, and four games to test their mettle and see who could adjust the best to the junior level.
“There was a good number of kids that stood out,” said Tripp. “We had great conversations with every player that attended and I am hoping to get a good number of guys back in the fall for main camp.
We had nine players from Swan participate and they did very well. I love seeing the local products come out and showcase themselves.”
The 40 players were split up into two teams, where team Grey won three out of the four games throughout the weekend. The Stampeders had some help from former Stampeder defenceman and captain Ashton Fishley to spread some insight and keep a keen eye on the talent during the weekend.
“My biggest takeaway was how hard every guy played in every game,” said Tripp.
“Spring camps can be a bit generic with the way they are run. We tried to keep our camp smaller so we could make a more personal connection with the players and their parents. That also ensured the high level of play in each game which we saw all weekend.”
The pace of play during was most impressive throughout the weekend. All four games were competitive and had a very good pace of play. Compared to last season’s booming numbers, this year’s camp was felt to be more organized and structured.
“Going into next season I am super excited for the direction the team is heading in,” said Tripp. “We return an unbelievable group of players from last season and we saw a very high level of players in the spring camp. We are going to be competitive from day one and I think all the fans have a lot to look forward to.”
Now that spring camp is in the rearview mirror, the Stampeders officially begin their off-season mode, where they’ll be searching for new, young, and upcoming talent to join their already talented roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Tuesday, 08 April 2025 08:46

Prepping for the Future

The Swan Valley Stampeders held their Spring ID Camp this past weekend (April 4-6). 40 players from all over Western Canada came to compete and show their skills in front of Stampeders coaches and scouts...

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