Glenys Mackenzie was first drawn to the sport of rugby through her daughter Arleigh in 1992. Prior to her involvement in rugby, Glenys became a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity for Women, which promotes ongoing leadership and personal development. With the principles of her fraternity in mind, Glenys has built an extraordinary resume of volunteerism which includes a lifelong involvement with the River Heights Community Centre, twenty years of involvement with the sport of figure skating in Manitoba, and extensive involvement in Manitoba Rugby.
As a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, Glenys held numerous positions of leadership as an alumna. Glenys proudly wears the “Arc with Diamonds” which signifies fifteen years of loyal service to a fraternity that advocates lifelong involvement. Alpha Gamma Delta’s vision statement is “Inspire the Woman. Impact the World.” With such a background, Glenys was set upon a path that would inspire the women and impact the world of rugby in Manitoba.
When Glenys’ daughter Arleigh became involved in activities at the River Heights Community Centre, Glenys began to volunteer as a group mother before serving as president of the River Heights Figure Skating Club from 1987 to 1994. Glenys sat on the Manitoba Section Skater development committee; served as the Hospitality Chairman of the 1990 Central Canadian Figure Skating Championships; and lent her time to the Winnipeg Region Skating Board eventually becoming its President from 1990 to 1992. She also spent four years as Co-Editor of the River Heights Community Centre Newsletter “The Cardinal”.
As Arleigh’s interest in rugby increased, so did Glenys’, and in 1992 she brought her formidable drive in volunteering to Manitoba rugby. In 1995 Glenys took on the role of Manager of the Senior Women’s Provincial Team, serving for nine years and becoming the “team mom”, affectionately referred to as “GMACK” by many of the team’s players. When Rugby Manitoba hosted the Canada Cup in 2000, Glenys ran the opening and closing ceremonies and volunteered throughout the entire event which brought the world’s top four women’s teams to Winnipeg.
In 2001, Glenys was asked to Chair the National Senior Women’s Championships, the first fully cost-shared event organized by Rugby Canada. She delivered one of the most cost-effective events Rugby Canada has had to date. Glenys chaired the first ever National Festival (Age Grade Championships) in 2003 and again in 2006 when Manitoba took over the Festival at the last minute after Quebec declined the event.
During this time, Glenys also sat on the Rugby Manitoba Board of Directors as Vice-President of Provincial Programs. She worked with Gary Pacholuk to organize Rugby Manitoba’s first High Performance Unit which ran out of the Winnipeg Rowing club. Although Glenys is no longer actively volunteering, she is an avid fan of the game and can still often be seen out at the park cheering on Arleigh and the Rowdies.
As a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, Glenys held numerous positions of leadership as an alumna. Glenys proudly wears the “Arc with Diamonds” which signifies fifteen years of loyal service to a fraternity that advocates lifelong involvement. Alpha Gamma Delta’s vision statement is “Inspire the Woman. Impact the World.” With such a background, Glenys was set upon a path that would inspire the women and impact the world of rugby in Manitoba.
When Glenys’ daughter Arleigh became involved in activities at the River Heights Community Centre, Glenys began to volunteer as a group mother before serving as president of the River Heights Figure Skating Club from 1987 to 1994. Glenys sat on the Manitoba Section Skater development committee; served as the Hospitality Chairman of the 1990 Central Canadian Figure Skating Championships; and lent her time to the Winnipeg Region Skating Board eventually becoming its President from 1990 to 1992. She also spent four years as Co-Editor of the River Heights Community Centre Newsletter “The Cardinal”.
As Arleigh’s interest in rugby increased, so did Glenys’, and in 1992 she brought her formidable drive in volunteering to Manitoba rugby. In 1995 Glenys took on the role of Manager of the Senior Women’s Provincial Team, serving for nine years and becoming the “team mom”, affectionately referred to as “GMACK” by many of the team’s players. When Rugby Manitoba hosted the Canada Cup in 2000, Glenys ran the opening and closing ceremonies and volunteered throughout the entire event which brought the world’s top four women’s teams to Winnipeg.
In 2001, Glenys was asked to Chair the National Senior Women’s Championships, the first fully cost-shared event organized by Rugby Canada. She delivered one of the most cost-effective events Rugby Canada has had to date. Glenys chaired the first ever National Festival (Age Grade Championships) in 2003 and again in 2006 when Manitoba took over the Festival at the last minute after Quebec declined the event.
During this time, Glenys also sat on the Rugby Manitoba Board of Directors as Vice-President of Provincial Programs. She worked with Gary Pacholuk to organize Rugby Manitoba’s first High Performance Unit which ran out of the Winnipeg Rowing club. Although Glenys is no longer actively volunteering, she is an avid fan of the game and can still often be seen out at the park cheering on Arleigh and the Rowdies.