Shannon Ploegman Smith – Player
Inducted to the Wanderers’ RFC Hall of Fame in 2016, Shannon Ploegman Smith is one of those few Manitoba rugby athletes that have experienced an illustrious playing career at the club, provincial and national team levels earning 2 caps representing Canada in international competition and 2 points in match play.
Just out of high school, Shannon began her 11 year playing career in 1991 with the Wanderers (Women) Rugby Football Club retiring from the game in 2001 due to injury. In her very first year of play she was named the Wanderers Rookie of the Year, and for the next ten years after that she served as the women’s team Captain or co-Captain and was awarded the club’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) or co- MVP in each of those years. Representing Manitoba, Shannon played Provincial Team rugby for nine years, beginning in her 1991 rookie year and co-captained the team for two.
For seven years between 1995 and 2001 Shannon was long listed to play for Canada. In 1996 she was named as Canada Cup (Edmonton) Non Travelling Reserve; was selected for and attended the Rugby Canada Elite Athlete Development Camps in 1996 (Victoria) and 1997 (Toronto); was selected for and attended the Rugby Canada National Senior Women’s Team Camps in 1996 (Vancouver), 1997 (Calgary) 1998 (Shawinigan Lake) and 2000 (Edmonton); as well as the Rugby Canada Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development Camp in Shawinigan Lake again in 1998.
In 1997 Shannon was chosen to represent Canada ‘A’ in an international match against USA U23 in Toronto playing the position of fly-half and was again honoured with a selection to represent Canada in 2001 on an overseas tour to play Wales ‘A’ where she both subbed and played at the outside centre position scoring a kick for goal.
In addition to her playing career, Shannon was active in the sport in other areas as well where she coached the Wanderers Women's Rugby and Colts teams and the St. Mary's Academy and Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute high school girls’ teams and served between 1995 and 1998 as her club’s Fundraising Coordinator and as the Women’s Rugby Division Development Coordinator for Rugby Manitoba.
Since her retirement from the game Shannon continues to be involved in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, track & field and serving in a variety of capacities including coach (24 years), manager, treasurer or whatever capacity she is called upon to do in her desire to provide good quality programs for the development of young athletes; a truly deserving candidate for induction to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame.
Inducted to the Wanderers’ RFC Hall of Fame in 2016, Shannon Ploegman Smith is one of those few Manitoba rugby athletes that have experienced an illustrious playing career at the club, provincial and national team levels earning 2 caps representing Canada in international competition and 2 points in match play.
Just out of high school, Shannon began her 11 year playing career in 1991 with the Wanderers (Women) Rugby Football Club retiring from the game in 2001 due to injury. In her very first year of play she was named the Wanderers Rookie of the Year, and for the next ten years after that she served as the women’s team Captain or co-Captain and was awarded the club’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) or co- MVP in each of those years. Representing Manitoba, Shannon played Provincial Team rugby for nine years, beginning in her 1991 rookie year and co-captained the team for two.
For seven years between 1995 and 2001 Shannon was long listed to play for Canada. In 1996 she was named as Canada Cup (Edmonton) Non Travelling Reserve; was selected for and attended the Rugby Canada Elite Athlete Development Camps in 1996 (Victoria) and 1997 (Toronto); was selected for and attended the Rugby Canada National Senior Women’s Team Camps in 1996 (Vancouver), 1997 (Calgary) 1998 (Shawinigan Lake) and 2000 (Edmonton); as well as the Rugby Canada Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development Camp in Shawinigan Lake again in 1998.
In 1997 Shannon was chosen to represent Canada ‘A’ in an international match against USA U23 in Toronto playing the position of fly-half and was again honoured with a selection to represent Canada in 2001 on an overseas tour to play Wales ‘A’ where she both subbed and played at the outside centre position scoring a kick for goal.
In addition to her playing career, Shannon was active in the sport in other areas as well where she coached the Wanderers Women's Rugby and Colts teams and the St. Mary's Academy and Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute high school girls’ teams and served between 1995 and 1998 as her club’s Fundraising Coordinator and as the Women’s Rugby Division Development Coordinator for Rugby Manitoba.
Since her retirement from the game Shannon continues to be involved in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, track & field and serving in a variety of capacities including coach (24 years), manager, treasurer or whatever capacity she is called upon to do in her desire to provide good quality programs for the development of young athletes; a truly deserving candidate for induction to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame.