Eastman Warriors surrender 2026 Manitoba rugby season

The Eastman Warriors will not be playing out the rest of their season.

The team announced on social media June 2 they would be withdrawing from the competitive league season in Manitoba Rugby and forfieting their remaining games, citing a lack of players.

“Not a post we were hoping to make,” their caption reads.

“Us Warriors LOVE rugby, and this deeply saddens us. We will continue practices throughout the summer and in hopes get more men to fill the team and start off strong in the 2027 season.”

The Warriors lack of numbers were seen at what turned out to be their only home match of the season, a 41-36 victory over the Wanderers May 28.

Only 10 players showed up for the home side, with the two teams playing an abbreviated 10s format instead of the usual 15-per-side full-length match.

The Warriors became the first team based outside of Winnipeg to win the Manitoba rugby championships, claiming back-to-back league wins in 2023 and 2024.

The club took a step back on the pitch last season, as veteran players, who had been with the club since it was named the Southeast Thistles stepped away from the game. The team was also stung by some key departures of players who moved out of the region.

Practices for the Warriors will continue at A.D. Penner Park throughout the summer as the team hopes to recruit for next season. Sessions are on Monday and Wednesday nights.

“We will continue to practice and prepare for next season and are excited to come back bigger and better,” the post reads.

The Warriors women’s team is currently scheduling exhibition games for this summer.