Albert Shepherdson, a member of the Wanderers Rugby Football Club, re-established the club and was instrumental in the reconstitution of the Manitoba Rugby Union in 1968 (rugby in Manitoba had been dormant since 1961). Albert played at a high level for a number of years in Wales before immigrating to Manitoba. He represented Manitoba in their first interprovincial match against Alberta (a competitive match with Alberta was a condition imposed by the Canadian Rugby Union for the readmission of the Manitoba Rugby Union), and played for a number of years thereafter.
Albert Shepherdson is a long time member of the Winnipeg Wanderers Rugby Club, the oldest of the surviving clubs in Manitoba.
Albert grew up in Wales where he started playing rugby as a child in 1937. Albert played in the Pontypool area from the late 1940’s until 1965, playing at a high level for the British Army, Blaenavon, Ush and Talywain clubs. While there he was, according to his own words a “middling good prop”. Albert was part of the 1956‐57 Monmouth Union winners and the 1959‐1960 Ben Francis cup winners. In 1966 Albert immigrated to Manitoba for work and became part of our rugby community.
Upon his arrival in Winnipeg, Albert joined the Winnipeg Wanderers RFC, which was being reconstituted by John Walton and Derry Newton, as rugby had been dormant since 1961. When he arrived the Wasps had just been formed and with only two clubs the game was being re‐established. Albert remembers that the first game he played was a 12‐a‐side event. Albert scored two tries for Manitoba in a close loss of 24‐22 versus Alberta in 1968. This was a very significant match for Manitoba since the Canadian Rugby Union had imposed a condition for readmission of the Manitoba Rugby Union to the national union which required Manitoba to field a competitive side, as well as having a viable league schedule. The close result of this match helped to enable the readmission of the Manitoba Rugby Union to the Canadian Rugby Union in 1968.
Albert continued to play for the Wanderers until 1976 (and for Manitoba until 1974) when he immigrated for work to China. Thereafter, he played and coached in Trinidad in the late 1970’s until he retired from play, playing his last game in 1980.
Albert Shepherdson is a long time member of the Winnipeg Wanderers Rugby Club, the oldest of the surviving clubs in Manitoba.
Albert grew up in Wales where he started playing rugby as a child in 1937. Albert played in the Pontypool area from the late 1940’s until 1965, playing at a high level for the British Army, Blaenavon, Ush and Talywain clubs. While there he was, according to his own words a “middling good prop”. Albert was part of the 1956‐57 Monmouth Union winners and the 1959‐1960 Ben Francis cup winners. In 1966 Albert immigrated to Manitoba for work and became part of our rugby community.
Upon his arrival in Winnipeg, Albert joined the Winnipeg Wanderers RFC, which was being reconstituted by John Walton and Derry Newton, as rugby had been dormant since 1961. When he arrived the Wasps had just been formed and with only two clubs the game was being re‐established. Albert remembers that the first game he played was a 12‐a‐side event. Albert scored two tries for Manitoba in a close loss of 24‐22 versus Alberta in 1968. This was a very significant match for Manitoba since the Canadian Rugby Union had imposed a condition for readmission of the Manitoba Rugby Union to the national union which required Manitoba to field a competitive side, as well as having a viable league schedule. The close result of this match helped to enable the readmission of the Manitoba Rugby Union to the Canadian Rugby Union in 1968.
Albert continued to play for the Wanderers until 1976 (and for Manitoba until 1974) when he immigrated for work to China. Thereafter, he played and coached in Trinidad in the late 1970’s until he retired from play, playing his last game in 1980.
Passed 2013