Twins and Wild FC players Keelyn and Taegan go from grad to game
It's a big day for Keelyn and Taegan Stewart.
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Today, the twins graduate from Bishop Carroll High School, marking the culmination of 12 years of classes, exams, assignments and summer homework but that's not all. Right after graduation ends, they'll be headed straight to McMahon stadium to represent Calgary in tonight's soccer game against the Halifax Tides.
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'I'm pretty excited,' Keelyn said. 'Exciting to be done high school and to be able to walk off the stage and as soon as it's done, shift our mindset to focus on the match tonight.'
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'Exciting, but also nervewracking,' Taegan added.
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The girls are the youngest of the Calgary Wild FC team, joining the roster in January of this year at age 17.
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The sisters have been playing soccer ever since they were three-years-old, starting with kicking the ball in the backyard with parents and making their way rapidly through the local and national soccer season in Western Canada and winning the silver medal at the 2022 Confederation of North, Central America and Carribbean Association Football tournament as part of the Canadian under-15 national team.
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They gained their first international experience at age 10 when they trained with the boys Barca academy in Barcelona and returned a year later to play on an all-boys team at the Barca Academy World Cup.
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Playing for the team while juggling school at the same time has not been without its trials. It has meant missing class time, practices at 7 a.m. and taking tests before the school day begins.
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'It's been a pretty hectic last couple of months trying to get over the finish line with school,' Keelyn said.
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Teachers and school staff have been supportive, checking in on the girls to make sure the schedule isn't overwhelming for them and accommodating their practice schedules to make sure they can finish tests on time. The school's vice-principal, Keelyn said, would show up at the school building early in the morning so the girls can write their tests.
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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander caps historic season with NBA title, Finals MVP honours
He's the most valuable player. The scoring champion. And now, an NBA champion along with NBA Finals MVP. All in one season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ont., has entered one of the game's most elite clubs. The 26-year-old Canadian is atop the basketball world now in almost every way imaginable. Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA title on Sunday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 to win the finals in a seven-game thriller. SGA SHINES IN GAME 7, LIFTING OKC TO THE TITLE 🏆 ⚡️ 29 PTS ⚡️ 12 AST ⚡️ 5 REB ⚡️ 2 BLK Shai caps a HISTORIC season as the Thunder win their first championship in the OKC era! He becomes the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, a scoring title and play for a champion in the same season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it once, Michael Jordan then did it four times, and Shaquille O'Neal was the last entrant into that fraternity — until now. 'A lot of hard work, a lot of hours in the gym,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'This isn't just a win for me. This is a win for my family. This is a win for my friends. This is a win for everybody that was in my corner growing up. This is a win for the fans, the best fans in the world.' The title caps a season where the Thunder won 84 games, tied for the third most by any team in any season in NBA history. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the season with 64 games of at least 30 points. The only other players to score 30 points that many times in a season: Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Bob McAdoo, James Harden, Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar. It is amazing company. With due respect to those legends, Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't care. The Thunder are NBA champions. That's more than enough for him. 'Focusing on just being the best version of myself for this basketball team, for whatever it takes, for however many games it is, however many possessions is needed, however many moments,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Ultimately, I'm just trying to stay in the moment. I think that's what's gotten me here. That's what has helped me achieve the MVP award, achieve all the things I've achieved. It's helped this team win basketball games.' This was not a sneak attack up the ladder of superstardom. Gilgeous-Alexander has been climbing those rungs for years. He's one of only two players — Giannis Antetokounmpo is the other — to average at least 30 points per game in each of the last three seasons. He led Canada to a bronze medal (over the United States, no less) at the World Cup in 2023, been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA pick for three years running, played in his first Olympics last year, and just finished a season where he posted career bests in points and assists per game. He scored 3,172 points this season, including playoffs, the ninth-most by any player in NBA history. Oh, and he's a champion now. 'He's getting better every year in just about everything,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 'I think he's really improved as a playmaker. … And then he's an unbelievable scorer, and incredibly efficient. We lean into that. He leans into that. 'He's learned when teams load up on him and they overcommit, to get off it early, and I think that's reflected in the way we've played offence throughout the course of the season.' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 2024-25 season - NBA Champion - Finals MVP - MVP - WCF MVP - 1st Seed (Franchise Record) - All NBA 1st Team - Scoring Title - All Star Starter - Most 50, 40, 30 pt games - 1st in +/- - 2nd in steals one of the greatest seasons of all time ⚡️ Opponents have no choice but to marvel at how Gilgeous-Alexander does what he does. He's not a high-flying artist like Jordan, not an unstoppable force of power like LeBron James, not a 3-point dazzler like Stephen Curry. He looks like he's playing at his own pace much of time, largely because defences have few ways to slow him down or speed him up. 'Shai, he's so good,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton — who suffered a serious lower leg injury that knocked him out of Game 7 in the first quarter — said during the series. 'He's so slippery in between those gaps. He splits screens, like, I don't know how he's doing that. … He's a really tough cover.' Gilgeous-Alexander is the face of basketball in Oklahoma City, is rapidly becoming one of the faces of the NBA — his jersey is now one of the highest-selling — and it's no secret that he is the icon for fans in Canada now. It used to be Steve Nash, the first Canadian to win NBA MVP. Now, Nash has help. 'You can only imagine and get excited about all the kids around the world, but in particular Canadians that will be affected so positively, whether they're basketball players or not, by the way he carries himself, by the way he executes and commits to his profession,' Nash said. 'It's remarkable and he's an amazing example for everybody out there, not just kids.' SHAI & FAM WITH THE TROPHIES 🥹 What it's all about. There's no question Nash had some impact on Gilgeous-Alexander's rise in the game. Another great who did: Kobe Bryant. There are parallels: similar body types, even similar ways they answer questions. Bryant famously said 'job's not finished' when asked about his Lakers getting within two wins of a title one year; Gilgeous-Alexander had a similar moment after the Thunder got to three wins in this series, saying 'we haven't done anything.' They have now. 'He is probably my favourite player of all time,' Gilgeous-Alexander said of Bryant. 'Never got the chance to meet him. With me, with kids all across the world, his influence has gone through the roof. He'll be remembered forever because of the competitor and the basketball player he was. Yeah, I'm hopefully somewhere close to that as a basketball player one day.' He's not there yet. But Gilgeous-Alexander got one day closer Sunday, when he reached basketball's mountaintop for the first time. 'It means everything,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'We rose to the moment. And here we are.' SGA IS AWARDED THE BILL RUSSELL TROPHY AS THE NBA FINALS MVP 🏆 4th player to win #KiaMVP , the scoring title and the Finals MVP in the same season!
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fundraising tour de force
A Brandon cyclist is gearing up for the ride of a lifetime in support of cancer research. Grant Hamilton is heading to Europe this week to join Tour 21, an annual event that sees a team of amateur cyclists ride the full Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals. The team will pedal more than 3,500 km in 21 days, including climbs and summits in the Pyrenees mountains and the French Alps. It's part of an effort to raise nearly $2 million for Cure Leukaemia, the official charity partner of the Tour de France. Grant Hamilton is heading to Europe this week to join Tour 21, an annual event that sees a team of amateur cyclists ride the full Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals. (Matt Packwood / The Brandon Sun) Cure Leukaemia funds clinical trials, driving global advancements in blood cancer treatment and impacting those affected by the disease. Hamilton is the only Canadian on the team. The 48-year-old communications and marketing professional first heard about the event while watching last year's Tour de France. 'I heard the commentators talking about essentially middle-aged schlubs tackling the entire route… and they were doing it for charity,' Hamilton recalls. 'I thought, well, I'm a middle-aged schlub — maybe this is something I could throw my bike helmet in the ring for.' Tour 21 participants commit to a $22,000 entry fee and a minimum fundraising amount of $55,000. Hamilton is covering his own costs and has raised more than 90 per cent of his fundraising goal. Lately, Hamilton's training regime has involved riding as many kilometres as he can. He travelled to California to cycle the Santa Monica Mountains last December and, in March, he joined a Team 21 training camp in Majorca, Spain. A&L Cycle has been assisting Hamilton with training plans, nutritional advice and equipment. 'It's a huge endeavour he's taking on,' says Tyler Wirch, co-owner of the Brandon bicycle shop. 'The Tour de France is probably the hardest bike race in the world… and we wanted to be part of it as much as we could.' The shop couldn't ask for a better cyclist to support than Hamilton, Wirch added. 'He's spent a ton of time on it and, just in general, he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met.' Hamilton believes that cycling has an incredible power to bring people together and build community. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to or call 204-477-5180. Manitoba Underdogs Rescue needs a newsletter co-ordinator for its social-media team. The role involves writing emails to keep supporters in the loop about new dogs, upcoming events and urgent needs. The co-ordinator will work with a graphic designer to enhance messages visually and analyze email performance to boost engagement. Essential skills include a friendly writing style, experience with platforms such as Mailchimp and a passion for storytelling. This remote position requires two to four flexible hours per week. Apply at by Aug. 1. The Henteleff Park Foundation needs volunteers. After a 90-minute orientation on park history and weed management, volunteers can work independently, choosing a spot to nurture. Volunteers can work at their own pace for an hour or two per week and at a time convenient to are welcome to apply individually or as families, only requiring the ability to lift 10 pounds and follow directions. No prior gardening knowledge is needed. Email by Aug. 15. Misericordia Health Centre needs an ophthalmology ambassador to escort patients to treatment rooms. Volunteers act as liaisons between staff members and patients (delivering messages for unit staff, making inquiries on behalf of patients, providing friendly services to patients and helping staff with patient flow). Ambassadors must have a positive and empathetic manner and the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time. Apply online at by Aug. 30. The Manitoba Mountain Bike Association needs board members. The board has eight members, with subcommittees for infrastructure and community outreach. A treasurer, fundraising co-ordinator and director at large are needed to help with bike park proposals, fundraising and administrative tasks. Applicants should have a strong interest in mountain biking or trail stewardship, while skills in grant writing, management, fundraising or trail development are beneficial. It's a flexible time commitment of up to eight hours weekly, plus monthly board meetings. Apply at by Oct. 4. Mennonite Central Committee's Kildonan Thrift Shop needs people with a skill set in assessing and repairing electronic devices. Volunteers are needed to sort, test, clean and price electronic items such as record players, amplifiers, radios and DVD players that have been donated for resale. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with shifts from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Apply at or 204-668-0967, ext. 5, by June 30. The St. Vital Agricultural Fair is seeking volunteers for its 114th annual Fair and Display Aug. 8-9. Opportunities include serving as greeters, setting up and taking down tables and chairs, and serving meals in a cafeteria style. Volunteers are also needed at the children's craft table and in helping exhibitors place their entries, and to help with cleaning duties such as garbage removal. More information about the event is available at Apply at PjMcFarlane@ or to 204-487-4597, ext. 1, by July 29. The Leftovers Foundation, a food-rescue charity with a mission of reducing food waste and increasing access to food for people facing barriers, is gearing up for Home Harvest. The program facilitates the rescue of homegrown food. Community members can participate by signing up through the website or mobile app to become a donor (grower) or volunteer to complete routes. Growers with excess produce can submit a request any time, and volunteers can harvest and deliver the produce to local service agencies and keep a portion for themselves. Volunteers can sign up in groups or individually. Email alyssa@ or go to for more information. Apply by Aug. 2. The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games will host more than 2,000 athletes at Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. Volunteers are needed for roles such as registration, food services and cultural services. They will also help with security, medical aid and special events. Skills such as organization, communication and attention to detail are essential. Volunteers must be 13 or older. Flexible shifts are available from Aug. 17 to Aug. 23 at Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Apply online at by Aug. 10. The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to email volunteer@ or call 1-844-818-2155. That belief was underscored three years ago when he was hit by a car one evening while cycling home with his wife. He was badly hurt — including losing his left pinky finger — but he says it changed his life for the better. It made him get serious about cycling activism and he's already seen the City of Brandon make improvements to its infrastructure — including lowering the speed limit on the stretch of road where he was hit. Hamilton is the founder of Bike Brandon, an organization that exists to support the convenient use and safe enjoyment of all kinds of bikes. Additionally, he volunteers as a board member with Brandon First, a not-for-profit destination marketing organization, and Brandon Riverbank, a 30-year-old charity dedicated to developing the Assiniboine River Corridor. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Hamilton also co-founded the Salamander Summer Music Festival, which returns for its third year next month. 'It's maybe incumbent on all of us to try to make our communities a little bit better,' says the lifelong Brandon resident. 'It doesn't take much. I didn't do it until I got hit by a car.' Hamilton leaves for Europe on Tuesday; Tour 21 starts Saturday in Lille. For details about how to make a donation, find Hamilton on Facebook, Bluesky or LinkedIn and read the pinned posts, or send an email too If you know a special volunteer, email Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
MVP. Finals MVP. Scoring champ. NBA champ. OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now holds all those titles
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — He's the most valuable player. The scoring champion. And now, an NBA champion along with NBA Finals MVP. All in one season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has entered one of the game's most elite clubs. The 26-year-old Canadian is atop the basketball world now in almost every way imaginable. Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA title on Sunday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 to win the finals in a seven-game thriller. He becomes the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, a scoring title and play for a champion in the same season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it once, Michael Jordan then did it four times, and Shaquille O'Neal was the last entrant into that fraternity — until now. 'A lot of hard work, a lot of hours in the gym,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'This isn't just a win for me. This is a win for my family. This is a win for my friends. This is a win for everybody that was in my corner growing up. This is a win for the fans, the best fans in the world.' The title caps a season where the Thunder won 84 games, tied for the third most by any team in any season in NBA history. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the season with 64 games of at least 30 points. The only other players to score 30 points that many times in a season: Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Bob McAdoo, James Harden, Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar. It is amazing company. With due respect to those legends, Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't care. The Thunder are NBA champions. That's more than enough for him. 'Focusing on just being the best version of myself for this basketball team, for whatever it takes, for however many games it is, however many possessions is needed, however many moments,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Ultimately, I'm just trying to stay in the moment. I think that's what's gotten me here. That's what has helped me achieve the MVP award, achieve all the things I've achieved. It's helped this team win basketball games.' This was not a sneak attack up the ladder of superstardom. Gilgeous-Alexander has been climbing those rungs for years. He's one of only two players — Giannis Antetokounmpo is the other — to average at least 30 points per game in each of the last three seasons. He led Canada to a bronze medal (over the United States, no less) at the World Cup in 2023, been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA pick for three years running, played in his first Olympics last year, and just finished a season where he posted career bests in points and assists per game. He scored 3,172 points this season, including playoffs, the ninth-most by any player in NBA history. Oh, and he's a champion now. 'He's getting better every year in just about everything,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 'I think he's really improved as a playmaker. … And then he's an unbelievable scorer, and incredibly efficient. We lean into that. He leans into that. He's learned when teams load up on him and they overcommit, to get off it early, and I think that's reflected in the way we've played offense throughout the course of the season.' Opponents have no choice but to marvel at how Gilgeous-Alexander does what he does. He's not a high-flying artist like Jordan, not an unstoppable force of power like LeBron James, not a 3-point dazzler like Stephen Curry. He looks like he's playing at his own pace much of time, largely because defenses have few ways to slow him down or speed him up. 'Shai, he's so good,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton — who suffered a serious lower leg injury that knocked him out of Game 7 in the first quarter — said during the series. 'He's so slippery in between those gaps. He splits screens, like, I don't know how he's doing that. … He's a really tough cover.' Gilgeous-Alexander is the face of basketball in Oklahoma City, is rapidly becoming one of the faces of the NBA — his jersey is now one of the highest-selling — and it's no secret that he is the icon for fans in Canada now. It used to be Steve Nash, the first Canadian to win NBA MVP. Now, Nash has help. 'You can only imagine and get excited about all the kids around the world, but in particular Canadians that will be affected so positively, whether they're basketball players or not, by the way he carries himself, by the way he executes and commits to his profession,' Nash said. 'It's remarkable and he's an amazing example for everybody out there, not just kids.' There's no question Nash had some impact on Gilgeous-Alexander's rise in the game. Another great who did: Kobe Bryant. There are parallels: similar body types, even similar ways they answer questions. Bryant famously said 'job's not finished' when asked about his Lakers getting within two wins of a title one year; Gilgeous-Alexander had a similar moment after the Thunder got to three wins in this series, saying 'we haven't done anything.' They have now. 'He is probably my favorite player of all time,' Gilgeous-Alexander said of Bryant. 'Never got the chance to meet him. With me, with kids all across the world, his influence has gone through the roof. He'll be remembered forever because of the competitor and the basketball player he was. Yeah, I'm hopefully somewhere close to that as a basketball player one day.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. He's not there yet. But Gilgeous-Alexander got one day closer Sunday, when he reached basketball's mountaintop for the first time. 'It means everything,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'We rose to the moment. And here we are.' ___ AP NBA:
