Steinbach’s Slusher dons Maple Leaf for world junior championship

Sean Robert Slusher has had an excellent start to his post-high school football career. Not only has he signed on to the Winnipeg Rifles for this season, he was also selected to play for Team Canada at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Junior Championship.

“It feels amazing,” Slusher said while preparing for the tournament to begin.

“I never expected to be a kid from Steinbach, playing for the Eastman Raiders, all the way up to this, playing for the national team.”

This year’s championships are hosted in Edmonton. The IFAF plays under American four-down football rules, instead of the three-down Canadian game Slusher is used to.

Since he normally plays halfback, a defensive position unique to the three-down game, it’s been an adjustment for Slusher to get used to the smaller field, and having one less player on the field. The halfback usually covers the slot receiver in Canadian football.

Slusher has transitioned to playing strong-side safety for Team Canada.

“The first couple days I had a little bit of growing pains,” he said.

“Otherwise I’d say our team has adjusted really well, and so has our coaching staff.”

Canada brought two teams to the championships, making up a quarter of the eight-team tournament. Canada is aiming for a three-peat this year.

Slusher’s team were defeated by Austria in the quarterfinals, and played against Brazil in the consolation bracket June 26, with the game finishing after press time.

The experience of international football is the perfect training ground for Slusher, as he prepares to join the junior ranks with the Winnipeg Rifles this fall.

“From grade 10, I knew that football was my passion, and I wanted to persue it to the fullest,” Slusher said, thanking the SRSS coaching staff for putting him in contact with the Rifles.

Slusher signed a letter of intent with the Rifles earlier in the year, and then heard in May he had made the team.

It’s a long way from his grade 11 year, when the Sabres went 0-8 on the year. Even that season helped the defesive back learn valuable lessons.

“What I like to say is, ‘be like goldfish,’ have a three second memory,” Slusher said.

“If you did something bad, forget about it and improve on it next play.”

The Rifles play their home games at Maple Grove Rugby Park, and will kick off their 2024 season Aug. 11 when they host the Regina Thunder.

Slusher will joined on the Rifles by Ryan Deschauer, a defensive line player who is also from Steinbach.