F.P. Walshe school’s Logan Foote, Thatcher Gouchie and Nathan Gurney, along with coach Michael McTighe, played rugby for Zone 1 at the Alberta Summer Games.
Eight players and a coach represented F.P. Walshe school rugby at the Alberta Summer Games.
Addy Van Herk, Nevayah Fox, Kendall DeKok and Layne Sharratt played for the Zone 1 girls team and Ella Rasmussen helped bolster the Zone 4 lineup.
Logan Foote, Thatcher Gouchie and Nathan Gurney of F.P. Walshe played for the Zone 1 boys team, which was coached by Michael McTighe.
Rugby was one of the 13 sports at the Alberta Summer Games from July 16-19 in Strathcona County.
“The Alberta Summer Games give young athletes the chance to test themselves, represent their communities and build lasting connections,” Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said in a news release. “Hosting more than 2,400 participants is also a major moment for Strathcona County, with real benefits for local businesses and residents.”
“We are proud to support an event that strengthens sport across the province and creates opportunities for the next generation.”
The Alberta Summer Games attracted more than 2,400 athletes aged 11-16 years, coaches and technical officials from across the province to Strathcona County.
The Games provide Alberta’s young athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level, represent their communities, build lifelong friendships, and showcase the next generation of talent.
“They have put in the discipline and hard work and now will have the chance to show what they’re made of,” said Nate Glubish, MLA for Strathcona-Sherwood Park.
The Alberta government invested $1,275,000 to support the 2026 host society in delivering the Games, including, transportation, food services, venues and promotion.
The Alberta Summer Games were expected to generate about $3 million in direct economic activity to the Strathcona region.
The Games kicked off Thursday at Emerald Hills Pavilion with opening ceremony and the lighting of the cauldron. Athletes aged 11 to 16 will compete over the next four days across 13 sports.
“These Games give these young athletes an opportunity to showcase all the hard work they’ve put into their sport,” said Bonnie Hunka, chair of the 2026 Strathcona County Alberta Summer Games Society. “We are all really proud of their dedication.”
For more than 50 years, the Alberta Games have helped launch athletic careers while leaving lasting benefits in host communities and supporting local infrastructure.
More than 50 alumni have gone on to represent Canada at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
