This afternoon in Portage la Prairie, Big Mo, "not so"little-leigh, Dane and myself spent a some time working with the Manitoba High Performance Rugby Academy...the "brain-child" of visionary Lainie Wintrup.

Traditionally, Manitoba has been the weak-link in the Rugby "chain" in terms of Canadian provinces...so much so, that it was only this year when the under-17 National Team Roster was "cracked" for the first time by a Manitoban...no surprise, it was one of ELITE's own, big Johnny Froggatt...our Winters are long and our Rugby pitches are few and far between come November...and up until now,it was seen to hamper the development of our young players...

Well, this afternoon, in the middle of the wind-swept prairies, 33 of Manitoba's up and comers converged on a gymnasium and showed what Manitoba Rugby can be...

...some OUTSTANDING EFFORT and a ton of heart produced  a few phenomenal testing scores...

...today the boys recorded 4 sub 4.45 sec t-time tests...for those readers who don't know what that means....if you were to translate those scores to the CFL EVALUATION CAMP- you would most likely see these youngsters test in the top 10 athletes of all of Canada's Best University Talent...here's the kicker, they are ALL 17 OR UNDER...

Great job gentlemen...in the frozen world of Manitoba, when many Rugby players are in "hibernation" you chose to make yourself better and make the most out of your situation...WELCOME TO ELITE NATION!

Some extraordinary efforts today...by "Gabe" Atkinson...thank you for your effort and focus...and to our friend "Bueller....Bueller...Bueller...big man, keep your eyes on the prize and great things will happen for you!!!

Rugby Guidelines will me emailed to your e-mail addresses by Lainie Wintrup on Monday. 

...on the Gridiron...our football director, Matt Harper spent the weekend with 200 of Manitoba's U-16 hopefuls at the golf-dome.  Today was the official kick-off of our 3 year relationship with Manitoba's Provincial Football Teams.  Thanks to Winnipeg Blue Bomber, Obby Khan for lending his support to our Football Academy over the weekend.

...and for all of you who were waiting for this...MARCH 8th, 8:00 pm- our lecture series continues with "Elite Performance...the last 5%"- 60 minutes jam-packed with information that YOU NEED to get the elusive last 5% out of your performance...

Remember greatness is served by small spoons, a taste here and a taste there.  It is hard to afford and the cost often detours people from ever knowing its' tastes. Focus, effort and determination will often buy you that taste...are you willing to pay the price?

until next time ELITE NATION....
onward and upward...
your pal,
fISH