CSG athletes given a sendoff

By Lethbridge Herald on August 5, 2025.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Local-area Canada Summer Games athletes pose for a group photo after their sendoff at City Hall on Tuesday.Ê

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Sport Council hosted an official sendoff for 16 local  area athletes and four  coaches  and  managers  that will be representing Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games (CSGs)   in various sports on Tuesday at City Hall.

Shanelle Mann is suiting up for Team Alberta on Women’s Rugby 7s team.

“I feel like not only am I representing Alberta but all the people that got me here, my family, friends, all the coaches and people that  I’ve played with before, so it’s very special to me,” said Mann.

Mann says its surreal competing at the CSG.

“It’s exciting to see all the different teams, and sports and how everybody will interact,” said Mann.

The CSG will continue an exciting rugby year for Mann as she captured a provincial  gold medal with her Winston Churchill rugby team.

“It just feels like all of the experiences that I’ve had with my high school team and Alberta team have led me to get to this point,” said Mann.

She is looking forward to supporting the other sports at the games.

Henry Clark will represent the Lethbridge Rugby Club U20 team  at the CSGs with the Alberta Men’s  Rugby 7s team.

“I feel proud that  I made it this far and that  I’m able to show what I’m made of and show  what Lethbridge is made of,” said Clark.

Clark is hoping to become a better rugby player and have a fun experience at the games.

“I think we have a strong team this time around,” said Clark.

“We’ve got some good guys, (a) strong team and good  chemistry.

Susan Eymann, Lethbridge Sport Council executive director, spoke about the support for these athletes and the level its at in the city.

“The level of support from all angles is amazing for sport in this region,” said Eymann

“So having the opportunity then  to represent this region and Alberta at a national level really is special.”

Other local-area athletes going to the CSGs  include University of Lethbridge  track and field athletes  Jinaye Shomachuk, Kimoya Edwards,  Lauryn Morris and Laughlan Irish, who competes at U of L, but will represent Team B.C. at the CSGs.

U of L women’s basketball assistant coach Donna Branch will manage Team Alberta’s women’s basketball team and  Raymond’s Pippa Gibb will suit up for Team Alberta’s women’s squad.

Diamond City’s Ella Tillsley will play on Team’ Alberta’s women’s baseball team, Coalhurst’s Beckett Davis will compete in box lacrosse, Connor Duell is in mountain cycling, Keegan Brantner will manage the Women’s Rugby 7s team, Madi Kutsch will be on Women Rugby 7s team, Taylor Ginther and Aliya de Gruchy will compete in swimming, Wendy Nelson of Coaldale will be a coach on the swim team, Corny Bergen is on the men’s volleyball team and wrestlers   Jessica Froese, Thomas Ellington-Toddington along with  coach Shawn Daye-Finley are on Alberta’s wrestling team.

The Canada Summer Games is from Aug. 8-25 in St. John’s, N.L.