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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Competitor from Brandon set to compete in championships as Winnipeg plays first-time host to tourney
In 2020, Erin Yang moved to Brandon alone without any family or friends nearby. The local pickleball community changed that. Four years after first picking up the sport in 2021, she has built lifelong friendships and community through the game, and is now headed to her second national championships, representing Team Manitoba at the 2025 Pickleball Canada National Championships, being held Aug. 19-25 in Winnipeg at the Taylor Tennis Centre. MATT GOERZEN / THE BRANDON SUN Brandon Pickleball Club president Erin Yang, seen here at the Stanley Park pickleball court on Thursday afternoon, will be competing in the upcoming pickleball nationals. It's the first time Winnipeg is hosting the event, which will bring together over 700 players from across Canada. Yang, who originally immigrated from China to Winnipeg for graduate school, first started playing badminton in 2019 in the city before discovering pickleball. The long commute to play in Winnipeg and the limited badminton scene in Brandon made it hard to continue, but when she saw a Facebook ad for a pickleball introductory session offered by the City of Brandon Recreation Services, she decided to try a new racket sport — and by the summer of 2022, she was hooked. 'Specifically, as an immigrant here, all my family is still in China,' said Yang. 'Pickleball definitely helped me settle down in Brandon, and it helped me to build my local connections here. I made a lot of lifelong friends through pickleball, and not just in Brandon but also in Winnipeg, and people in other provinces and locations, cities.' Also having grown up playing table tennis, Yang quickly found success in pickleball, medaling in her first national championships in 2023 in Regina. After taking a break during the 2024 nationals in Nova Scotia, she's back in 2025, competing at the 4.5 level in the Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles events, one step below the 5.0 level that separates pro players from amateurs. 'I've always liked racket sports,' said Yang. 'And then with pickleball, I don't know that's a very interesting question, because people keep asking pickleball players, 'Why? Why are you guys so addicted to the sport?' I don't really know why I'm more addicted to pickleball than other racket sports. One, I think it has all of the elements from other racket sports because, as you know, pickleball is kind of a combination of badminton, table tennis and tennis.' 'Two, is of course, the social aspect of pickleball. Pickleball communities are known for being friendly and very approachable, easy-going and just, in general, very welcoming.' Ted Fardoe, president of Pickleball Manitoba, hopes that hosting the national championships in Winnipeg for the first time will welcome even more people to the sport that is steadily growing in the province. 'Being a young organization and a relatively young sport, bringing a major event like the national championships to Winnipeg brings us to the forefront,' said Fardoe. 'It's going to allow us to build on programming, youth development, and that kind of thing, which is really exciting.' 'Being a young organization and a relatively young sport, bringing a major event like the national championships to Winnipeg brings us to the forefront.'–Ted Fardoe, president of Pickleball Manitoba When Fardoe started with Pickleball Manitoba three years ago, there were around 400 members. Now, membership is approaching 2,500. 'That's just a testament to how many people are picking up the sport and getting involved and wanting to play in the sanctioned tournaments,' said Fardoe. 'When I started, the average age was probably over 60. And since the increase in membership and the awareness of the sport in the public and the popularity, younger and younger people are joining every day, I'd say our average is down below 55 now.' 'I think one of the reasons why it can grow so fast is that people with or without sports backgrounds can pick it up fairly easily compared to other racket sports,' said Yang. 'So I think for people who want to try it, just get yourself on the court. Pickleball communities are probably one of the most friendly sports communities I've ever seen and met.' The national championships feature Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, as well as U18 Junior Boys and Girls Singles, Junior Boys and Girls Doubles, and Junior Mixed Doubles. Additionally, this year, the Pickleball Canada National Championship is introducing the Provincial/Territorial Team Competition, featuring 16 players from each province — eight men and eight women — all with a Canadian Tournament Pickleball Rating of 4.0 and above. 'When we first met with Pickleball Canada and started discussing this year's national championship, there was a lot of discussion about how we can make it better and make it more of a celebration and get people excited about being there,' said Fardoe. 'And one of those concepts was, well, 'let's pose province versus province in a competition.'' Yang is one of 16 members on Team Manitoba and hopes to show that her home province can compete with the best in Canada. Thursday, Aug. 21, will be the day dedicated to the provincial team competition 'It's definitely an honour to be selected amongst all the other really good players in our province,' said Yang. 'Just an honour to be selected and hopefully me and my fellow Team Manitoba members can represent our province well.' For her other events, Yang — who has been practicing regularly, at least three to four times a week — is aiming for another medal. In gender doubles, one day is split into 0.5 skill-level brackets (3.5, 4.0, 4.5, etc.), while the other day is divided into just two groups — 4.0 and below and 4.0 plus, where top-level players compete together. MATT GOERZEN / THE BRANDON SUN Yang is one of 16 members on Team Manitoba and hopes to show that her home province can compete with the best in Canada. 'My goal will be to get some really good results, or some good competitions on the days that the levels are 4.0 plus playing against those pro players, and on the days that are very level-based, I'm hoping to medal on one of the events that I registered for. Both, if I get lucky.' As pickleball continues to grow in Manitoba, Fardoe hopes the 2025 nationals will raise the level of the game in the province, attract new players and further develop the sport. 'Not just me, but every player in Manitoba, we're pretty proud to present this tournament to players across the country,' said Yang. 'I look forward to this event to be a big success.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kinew calls for Ottawa to help canola farmers hurt by China's tariffs
Premier Wab Kinew is calling for 'immediate action' from Ottawa following a sky-high levy placed on Canadian canola seed imports to China. China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 75.8 per cent Tuesday. The tax takes effect Thursday. Canola seed was Manitoba's biggest export to China last year, bringing in $649 million. Farmers are preparing for this year's harvest in the coming weeks. TIM SMITH / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Canola seed was Manitoba's biggest export to China last year, bringing in $649 million. 'The Chinese government has clearly launched these tariffs at this time of year to cause maximum impact and maximum uncertainty,' Kinew said Wednesday, speaking at the Manitoba Legislative Building. He was flanked by heads of the Manitoba Canola Growers and Keystone Agricultural Producers. Financial support from Ottawa is necessary, Kinew asserted. China claimed Canadian companies have been 'dumping' canola into its country, harming its domestic oil market. However, the new fee follows 100 per cent tariffs it placed on Canadian canola oil and meal. Those tariffs were retaliatory to tariffs Canada placed on Chinese electric vehicle imports last October. Revenue that Ottawa generates from the EV tariffs should be funnelled to impacted farmers, Kinew stated. 'Let's see the federal government step up with the same sort of supports that we've seen for the steel industry, for the auto industry and for the lumber industry,' he said, referencing sectors hit with United States tariffs. Producers have spent maximum amounts of money preparing this year's crop, noted Warren Ellis, chair of the Manitoba Canola Growers. 'On Tuesday morning, we lost our second largest customer,' Ellis said. 'It's really critical that solutions come out.' Manitoba counts 7,500 canola farmers. Its canola crop production averages around three million metric tonnes. Canola prices will sag, forecasted Rick White, the president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association. The national organization, like Kinew, is urging financial support from the feds 'if a need arises.' 'China is going to leave a big hole that cannot be filled, definitely not in the short term,' White said. Kinew also called upon Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration to work with the Manitoba government on a plan to negotiate an end to Chinese tariffs. The province extended a 'warm and hearty handshake' upon Carney's election and is seeking a coherent strategy, Kinew said. He's spoken with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe about the issue, he said. 'I think we're all on the same page that Western Canada's ag industry is one of the engines to our Canadian economy,' Kinew said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. China bought 15 per cent of Manitoba's agri-food exports last year, making it the province's second largest market. Manitoba is Western Canada's top pork exporter to China and is second, nationally, to Quebec. (China placed 25 per cent tariffs on pork in March.) Up to 5.9 million metric tonnes of Canadian canola seed ships annually to China at a $4 billion value, White said. The Canadian Canola Growers Association is aiming for a 'better policy environment' from Ottawa, enabling a renewable diesel market using canola seed. The industry could generate a need for more than two million metric tonnes of canola seed within Canada, White said. – With files from Carol Sanders and The Canadian Press Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sword attack at Brandon school racially motivated, police confirm
BRANDON — Police say a gruesome sword attack on a student at Neelin High School was part of a plot by the 16-year-old accused to target people of colour and immigrants. Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates said there is digital and eyewitness evidence that the accused was 'anti-immigration' and specifically targeted people of colour at the school June 10. A 15-year-old Black student was viciously assaulted. 'When you have an offender that is armed, that is walking past Caucasian students and having no intent to harm those students, but actively pursuing students of colour, you know that certainly speaks to a racialized motive,' Bates said Friday. On June 10, Chinonsu Onuke, 15, was rushed to hospital with stab wounds to his chest, forearms, hands and thighs after a fellow student allegedly stabbed him with a sword. Onuke is recovering with his family at home. Bates said it's still early in the investigation, but investigators have found a significant amount of evidence that the teen's 'racial and political ideologies' were motivating factors behind the attack. 'This is disturbing, and no one should ever fear for their safety because of the colour of their skin, and no child should be made to feel unsafe in a place of learning,' Bates said. 'There is no place in our community for racism, hate, or violence of any kind.' The 16-year-old remains in custody; he has been charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disguise with intent. Police gave an update on the investigation one day after Premier Wab Kinew went to Brandon to apologize in person to the victim and his family 'on behalf of the Indigenous people.' Multiple sources at Neelin High School have confirmed the accused is Indigenous. TIM SMITH / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Chinonso Onuke is held by close friend Leland Henderson and his twin brother Chiemeka during his first visit back to the school on Friday. TIM SMITH / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Chinonso Onuke is held by close friend Leland Henderson and his twin brother Chiemeka during his first visit back to the school on Friday. Police have said the assault was stopped before more people could be hurt. At the time, the school had gone into lockdown. Police arrived in about three minutes and used a stun gun to arrest the teen. Bates said he understands the community's concern and thanked people for their support. He said BPS is working diligently and making sure no detail is overlooked in the investigation. 'The mortal danger encountered at Neelin High School has affected us all, but has united Brandonites in resilience, kindness and opposition to racism and hatred,' he said. Bates said it's clear there is work to be done to ensure students' safety at school, and BPS will continue to work alongside partners in education, mental health and community organizations to keep schools safe and inclusive. In an interview with the Brandon Sun, Bates said no hate-related charges have been laid against the accused, and if the Crown attorneys decided to add them, it could take months. MATT GOERZEN / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Neelin High School Grade 10 student Chinonso Onuke, right, and his twin brother Chiemeka Onuke watch Premier Wab Kinew handle a Premier's Challenge Coin during a visit to the Onuke family home near Sprucewoods on Thursday. MATT GOERZEN / THE BRANDON SUN FILES Neelin High School Grade 10 student Chinonso Onuke, right, and his twin brother Chiemeka Onuke watch Premier Wab Kinew handle a Premier's Challenge Coin during a visit to the Onuke family home near Sprucewoods on Thursday. Bates said the accused is a 'youth in crisis' and needs help and support to get him into a healthy state of mind. 'There were many that were at risk that day just by virtue of their complexion, and that's a sad statement for that to have transpired in the city of Brandon and one that I think is a sobering reality that we have to be mindful of,' Bates said. In an email sent to parents, the Brandon School Division said it is 'profoundly troubled' by the finding that the attack was racially and politically motivated. 'The intentional targeting of individuals based on race is abhorrent and fundamentally contradicts the values, vision and mission of the division,' the email said. 'The severity and intent of this act will inevitably affect the overall sense of security within our community.' The division said that community and support resources, including school social workers and psychologists, will continue to be provided for students and staff, as well as additional crisis supports from Prairie Mountain Health. — Brandon Sun
