Junior Lions look to make noise at Alberta Summer Games

A season that started with a spot in the world’s largest youth rugby tournament will wrap up with an opportunity to compete in Alberta’s elite sporting showcase for Okotoks twins. 

Siblings Megan and Quinn Esler will be among the Foothills Lions contingent on Big Country Zone 2’s girls and boys rugby sevens squads when the whistle blows on the 2023 Alberta Summer Games next month in Okotoks. 

“It was the largest youth rugby tournament in the world and my dad decided that as part of our family vacation we would go play rugby in Portugal,” said Quinn. “It was great, the players in Europe are much bigger, much older and all the players I played with were second years and I got to play in Europe.” 

From across the pond at the Portugal Youth Rugby Festival to across the road at the Summer Games, it’s a special opportunity to compete. 

“It means a lot to get this opportunity to play, it’s here, it’s where I always play,” said Megan. “I’m mostly just looking forward to playing with my team and enjoying it all.” 

The twins followed in the footsteps of their older brother Rhett, the first to get involved in rugby, who plays for the provincial silver medallist HTA Knights and the U16 Mavericks.  

“I try to make her better,” said Quinn of his sister. “And she’s always trying to make me better too.” 

The sibling connection doesn’t end there for Big Country.  

Kateri Krueger will be the third of her siblings to compete in the Games, after older brothers Tobias and Maxwell.  

“They played in this too so that’s pretty special,” Kateri said. “And we have a lot of new girls joining rugby and in their first year they get to experience this.” 

The Summer Games competition will be of the sevens rugby variety, a quicker game that rewards speed, skill, fitness and organization. 

“I like the faster-pace of game,” Krueger said. “There’s more scoring and more scoring opportunities and passing and that style we play out here (in fifteens), with all of the off-loads, I think we’ll adjust really well to it.” 

Of note, several members of the squad helped the Junior Lions ladies take home the Stampede Sevens title in their division last year. 

“It’s going to be a great experience just getting to play for my hometown on my own turf,” said Okotoks’ Reese Burwell. “We don’t really get to do any tournaments in Okotoks so it’s great to start building a rugby community out in Okotoks.” 

Teammate Nadia Pacione echoed the sentiment, adding she’s looking forward to going through the experience with friends, representing the region and finding success. 

“And it’s a way to stay connected with rugby for the summer,” she said. “And that’s what I’m looking forward to.” 

On the boys side, the Lions players teamed up during the regular season with the Chestermere Vikings and Red Deer Titans.  

At the Summer Games, they’ll join forces with a number of athletes from the Bow Valley area on Zone 2. 

“We have a pretty strong team,” said Okotoks’ Quinn Birkenstock. “We’ve got some big players, all kinds of different sizes, people that can run really fast, people that can tackle hard, some that are good on contact, some really good kickers and it’s well-rounded."

There will be seven Lions players on both the girls and boys squads at the Games with Damon Hayes, Ian Henning, Jorgen Haldorson, Ryan Hefferan along with Esler and Quinn and Luke Birkenstock on the girls team also featuring Anaya Chisholm, Maddie Hollins and Vivian Bailey.

“I think (the opportunity) is big and I’m so thankful for all of the volunteers," Birkenstock added. "It’s my first year, it’s a lot more competitive than I thought it would be especially since it’s pretty new in Canada. There’s lots of good coaching and I’m glad I get the chance to play the game.” 

The 2023 Alberta Summer Games run July 20-23 with the rugby competition taking place at the Wylie Athletic Park adjacent to the rec centre. 

For more on the Games, visit 2023asg.com.