About Us
University of Manitoba ‘WOMBATS’ RFC
Club History
The University of Manitoba Rugby Football Club was founded in 1973 by a number of foreign students at the UofMb who wanted to play rugby in the newly founded Winnipeg Rugby Union. As with many new clubs, the team struggled for the first few years in fielding 15 players per game. However, the club overcame these initial challenges and has successfully operated for the past 33 years.
The UofMb RFC adopted the current name ‘WOMBATS’ in the early 1980’s, as a means for distinguishing itself from the UofMb ‘Bisons’, who competed in various University intercollegiate sports.
The WOMBATS RFC operated one team until 1983 when the club added a 2nd team after developing the rugby program at St Paul’s High School, as a feeder system. The WOMBATS have been coaching the various rugby teams at St Paul’s HS since 1983 and these efforts have resulted in the development of the most successful high school rugby program in Manitoba.
Also in 1983, the WOMBATS were one of the six original founding members of MapleGrove Rugby Park, the premium rugby facility in Winnipeg.
In 1991, the WOMBATS amalgamated with the St Vital Gryphons RFC and soon added a 3rd competitive men’s team. The amalgamation with St Vital Gryphons benefited the WOMBATS, as it added a great deal of administrative stability to the club, which was needed at that time.
In the year 2000, the WOMBATS achieved another mile-stone as a rugby club by adding a women’s side. This team has continually improved over the past 6 years and many of these players are now also active in coaching at the Winnipeg High School level.
The WOMBATS RFC have hosted a number of guest players over the years from such locations as New Zealand, England, Australia, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, Ireland, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Kenya. Today WOMBAT alumni are located around the world and are all considered part of the ‘WOMBAT Nation’.
The club has toured to such tournaments as the ‘Heart of America’ in Kansas City, ‘Prairie Cities’ in Regina, ‘Rugbyfest’ in Edmonton and ‘Aquatenial’ in Minneapolis. In 2006 the club has plans on touring Chile in October.
The WOMBATS have had several of its members serve as President of Rugby Manitoba over the years and currently have one of the alumni acting on the Board of Directors with Rugby Canada.
The WOMBATS RFC have won numerous 2nd and 3rd division championships in its 33 year history and in 2005 the club won its first men’s premier division championship in Manitoba.
In its history, the WOMBATS RFC has produced over 150 players (both men & women) who have competed provincially for Manitoba, at the National Championships.
