Elkhorn’s Mikayla Frattinger is a sports pioneer at Brandon University.
The daughter of Terri and Trever Frattinger is a member of the school’s fledgling women’s rugby club team. Virden’s Brittany Pearn is also on the squad. Fellow Virdenite Taya Hayward trains with the team.
“Being one of the first official ones to be on this rugby team is truly exciting for me,” Frattinger said. “This team is looking good so far and, as years come, the team will be amazing!”
The BU club started in the winter of 2018 and played some seven-aside games in a Saskatchewan tournament. The plan is to play 15-aside rugby in the fall and the seven-player version in the winter and spring.
“We are just getting the club off the ground and hope within the next five years to become sustainable and eventually go varsity,” head coach Brian Yon said.
Frattinger will certainly be a building block for the team. She plays wing and in the centres.
“She is a very good athlete and has plenty of speed,” Yon said. “We will be relying on her and I fully expect her to play a big role with this team.
“What's even better is that she is a good person and is really keen to learn more, which are two real positive qualities. Mikayla comes from a good family and they are really supportive of her. I'm really looking forward to continuing coaching Mikayla at Brandon University.”
Frattinger is entering her third year of playing rugby. She got started when her cousin from Souris asked if she wanted to play on the high school team there. The team was looking for players, Frattinger said, and although she was not sure what she was getting into, she wanted to give it a shot.
In Souris, she was coached by Yon, who she thanks for helping her become the player she is. Frattinger also has experience playing on Team Manitoba in 15 and sevens rugby.
“The thing I love most about rugby is not worrying about making mistakes because you get back up from your tackle or whatever it may be and you try again and again,” she said. “Rugby is a physical sport and that’s another thing I love about it.”
Suiting up for the BU club allows Frattinger to continue playing rugby while getting an education. The first-year BU student is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with the possibility of going into early years education or criminology in the future. Since her start in rugby, Frattinger has had the backing of her parents.
“I couldn’t be more happy that they are the most supportive people,” she said. “My dad always tells me ‘when you have an opportunity, take it. You never know where you could end up and if you don’t take the opportunity, you will never know where it would have taken you.’
“My mom has also been super supportive. She always is there when I need her and is always watching and cheering on the sidelines. I am the oldest of four children in my family and my parents are always there for all of us no matter what!”
