
Brenda Treleaven began her rugby playing career in Manitoba in 1981 as a member of the Wasp Women’s Athletic Association (WWAA), retiring from the game in 1993. Known as a phenomenally skilled and talented player at the position of prop, Brenda was a pioneer for women’s rugby in the province of Manitoba during the 80's and 90's, and she led by way of her example.
During and following her playing career, her dedication and talents extended beyond the field of play to include the ranks of coach, as well as administrator, where she occupied various positions within the WWAA and on several rugby related boards. During her 12 year playing career, Brenda toured with the WWAA both within Canada and abroad, and in 1987 took part in a tour that included England, Wales and France. In addition, Brenda was to become a perennial member on various Manitoba Women’s Provincial Teams. Recipient of the Most Improved Player award in 1987 and Most Valuable Player award in 1988, she retired from provincial representative rugby in 1992 at the Senior Women’s level. Her representative rugby was to garner her notice at the National team level where she represented Canada and played loose head prop in the 1988 Can Am game in Saranac Lake, New York and again in 1989 at the Can Am game in Edmonton, Alberta. Brenda’s participation and accomplishments at the club, provincial and national team levels served as both example and inspiration to many women playing the game in the province of Manitoba, including current Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame Honourable Members, Corinne Enns and Val Gompf.
Brenda lent her considerable knowledge and experience gained as a player to the coaching ranks where she ran the High School girl’s rugby program at Fort Richmond High School between 1992 and 1997, and served as coach of the 1994 Under 19 Girl’s Provincial Team, and assistant coach of the 1995 Senior Women’s Provincial Team.
As an administrator and volunteer, Brenda served as the WWAA’s representative to the Maple Grove Rugby Park (MGRP) Board of Directors several times during the early years and was present in this role during the 1982 meetings that set the foundation for construction of the park in 1985. She would go on to serve the MGRP board in various positions including Secretary in 1992 and Vice-president in 1993. Brenda also came to be involved in various capacities with the Manitoba Rugby Union, the Women’s Rugby Division, the 1999 Pan Am Games, and the Women’s Canada Rugby Cup in 2000; and was one of the founding members of the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame, serving on both the Exhibit and Induction Subcommittees from 2010 to 2014. Her volunteer efforts were acknowledged in 1993 with the Manitoba Rugby Union award and again in 2000 as recipient of the Rugby Manitoba President’s award.
For her notable accomplishments and pioneering inspiration toward the growth and development of Women’s rugby in Manitoba, we welcome Brenda as an Honourable Member to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in the category of Player.
During and following her playing career, her dedication and talents extended beyond the field of play to include the ranks of coach, as well as administrator, where she occupied various positions within the WWAA and on several rugby related boards. During her 12 year playing career, Brenda toured with the WWAA both within Canada and abroad, and in 1987 took part in a tour that included England, Wales and France. In addition, Brenda was to become a perennial member on various Manitoba Women’s Provincial Teams. Recipient of the Most Improved Player award in 1987 and Most Valuable Player award in 1988, she retired from provincial representative rugby in 1992 at the Senior Women’s level. Her representative rugby was to garner her notice at the National team level where she represented Canada and played loose head prop in the 1988 Can Am game in Saranac Lake, New York and again in 1989 at the Can Am game in Edmonton, Alberta. Brenda’s participation and accomplishments at the club, provincial and national team levels served as both example and inspiration to many women playing the game in the province of Manitoba, including current Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame Honourable Members, Corinne Enns and Val Gompf.
Brenda lent her considerable knowledge and experience gained as a player to the coaching ranks where she ran the High School girl’s rugby program at Fort Richmond High School between 1992 and 1997, and served as coach of the 1994 Under 19 Girl’s Provincial Team, and assistant coach of the 1995 Senior Women’s Provincial Team.
As an administrator and volunteer, Brenda served as the WWAA’s representative to the Maple Grove Rugby Park (MGRP) Board of Directors several times during the early years and was present in this role during the 1982 meetings that set the foundation for construction of the park in 1985. She would go on to serve the MGRP board in various positions including Secretary in 1992 and Vice-president in 1993. Brenda also came to be involved in various capacities with the Manitoba Rugby Union, the Women’s Rugby Division, the 1999 Pan Am Games, and the Women’s Canada Rugby Cup in 2000; and was one of the founding members of the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame, serving on both the Exhibit and Induction Subcommittees from 2010 to 2014. Her volunteer efforts were acknowledged in 1993 with the Manitoba Rugby Union award and again in 2000 as recipient of the Rugby Manitoba President’s award.
For her notable accomplishments and pioneering inspiration toward the growth and development of Women’s rugby in Manitoba, we welcome Brenda as an Honourable Member to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in the category of Player.