17-year-old from Steinbach heads to the World Junior Football Championships

SRSS Sabres football player, Sean-Robert Slusher has received lots of exciting news regarding his football career over the last year. 

At the end of his last season, Slusher got recognized by the Winnipeg Rifles. 

“I got a message from the head coach of the Winnipeg Rifles saying they saw my games and they were interested in me and wanted me to play for their team,” says Slusher. “We sent some messages back and forth. Had a couple of phone calls and come February, they said we want to lock you down and we want you to sign a letter of intent.” 

He put in lots of hard work to earn a spot on the team. 

“Now I am officially a Winnipeg Rifle after our three-weekend training camp, three-week main camp, and then our game against the St. Scholastica Saints, a division three school in Minnesota.” 

Making the Rifles is a huge accomplishment for Slusher, but his achievements did not stop there. His new goal was to make the Team Canada National football team, but he knew it would be difficult since it is a U20 team.  

“It’s $100 for the tryout, no harm done. If anything, I’ll get some much-needed improvements. They’re probably going to pick more college-aged kids,” Slusher thought. “Then come March, I was checking my email, and I was surprised to see that I did actually make the team.” 

Slusher leaves with Team Canada to the 2024 IFAF World Junior Football Championships on Friday and could not be more excited to represent Canada and Manitoba, as he is one of only five Manitobans on the U20 team.  

“We have a one-week training camp in Calgary, then the three-week tournament in Alberta.” 

Slusher explains that with this huge accomplishment comes sacrifices. 

“Unfortunately, I have to miss my graduation, but Team Canada is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and this gives me a lot of good exposure,” Slusher says. “It’s a little bit sad I’m not going to be able to hang out with my friends or see their cool little mini casino that they are setting up this year, but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make. Football is my life at this point. I just want to excel as best as I can in this sport and hopefully make it big.”  

A motivator for Slusher is his family. It is hard to be away from them during his many practices and games, but he knows one day, it will all be worth it. 

“It is a little challenging mentally, but to think one day I’ll make it big, and I’ll be able to repay my family with the time I’ve missed with them,” he says. “Whether that be buying them houses or taking them on fancy vacations, stuff like that.” 

The tournament is from June 20 to June 30 and Steinbach will be cheering him on!

Slusher needs to raise $2000 for his trip to Alberta and has reached the halfway mark.  

To help Slusher, e-transfer admin@footballcanada.com with the memo line “sponsorship for Sean-Robert Slusher.” 

–With files from Corny Rempel