Sonja Hill MacAulay – Builder | Sturgeon Creek Rugby Football Club
From the high school pitch to the halls of leadership, Sonja Hill MacAulay has dedicated her life to building the sport of rugby in Manitoba. Her journey began at Kelvin High School, where she played fullback from 1988 to 1990. She quickly found her home at the Sturgeon Creek Rowdies R.F.C., where her versatility saw her transition to the forward pack as a formidable prop, flanker, and #8. As a leader on the field, she captained the Rowdies’ women’s team for several seasons, setting a standard for commitment and grit.
From the high school pitch to the halls of leadership, Sonja Hill MacAulay has dedicated her life to building the sport of rugby in Manitoba. Her journey began at Kelvin High School, where she played fullback from 1988 to 1990. She quickly found her home at the Sturgeon Creek Rowdies R.F.C., where her versatility saw her transition to the forward pack as a formidable prop, flanker, and #8. As a leader on the field, she captained the Rowdies’ women’s team for several seasons, setting a standard for commitment and grit.
Her talent shone at the provincial level, where she was a cornerstone of the Manitoba Senior Women’s team from 1992 to 2000, ultimately earning the captaincy. Her play didn’t go unnoticed; she was selected to a Manitoba Selects team to face the Venezuelan National team in 1993 and received a coveted invitation to a Canadian National Women’s Team identification camp in the early 2000s. Seeking new challenges, she moved to Australia, winning a championship with the University of Queensland Rugby Football Club and earning a spot on the Queensland Regional team in 2003 and 2004.
But Sonja’s greatest contributions may be the ones she made off the pitch. Her tireless work ethic and passion for the game led her to key administrative and leadership roles, including serving as President of the Winnipeg High School Rugby Committee for five years. She also lends her expertise to the Rugby Manitoba Disciplinary
Committee and the Manitoba Association of Rugby Referees, ensuring the integrity and growth of the sport.
As a coach, she has inspired generations of athletes. After coaching the Kelvin High School girls’ team in 1996, she assisted with the Selkirk Collegiate girls’ team, launched the boys’ 15s program in Winkler, started a girls’ team at Silver Heights Collegiate, and mentored young players at Golden Gate Middle School. In 2004 she revitalized the Vincent Massey Collegiate girls’ program, building it into a perennial powerhouse with multiple championships. Her legacy is not just in the championships she won, but in the countless players and programs she helped create and sustain. Sonja Hill MacAulay, a true Builder of Manitoba Rugby.