The Winnipeg Rifles is a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Rifles are members of the Canadian Junior Football League and play their home games in Maple Grove Park. History
Junior football in Winnipeg dates back to the 1920s, with the formation of the Manitoba Junior Football League. In 1953, teams from Winnipeg began playing in the CJFL, the most successful being the Winnipeg Rods, who won three championships. Those teams would eventually fold or merge. The Winnipeg Hawkeyes were the last Winnipeg-based team prior to the Rifles, folding in 1996.
In 1999, an effort to bring back a team to Winnipeg was headed by James Ladd (Manitoba Football Hall of Fame inductee). The team began play in the CJFL in 2002, playing out of Canad Inns Stadium. From 2013 to 2019, the Rifles began to play out of IG Field. As of the 2021 season, home games are played at Maple Grove Rugby Park in St. Vital.
Since 2016 and Geordie Wilson's takeover of the program; the Winnipeg Rifles have a 26-55 Regular season record and 0–5 playoff record.
2016 2–7
2017 4-4 (1st round loss 28–21 to Hilltops)
2018 3-5 (1st round loss 58–5 to Hilltops)
2019 1–7
2020 SEASON CANCELLED (COVID)
2021 2-6 (1st round loss 45–26 to Thunder)
2022 4-4 (1st round loss 23–14 to Thunder)
2023 2–6
2024 1–7
2025 4-4 (1st round loss 60–26 to Hilltops)
2026 3-5 https://www.cjfl.org/
The team is named after the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment which was founded in 1883.
Coaches +PositionHolderHead CoachGeordie WilsonOffensive CoordinatorMarch Burnett JosephQuarterback CoachBryson McNeilReceivers CoachBrendan NaujoksSpecial Teams CoordinatorCraig BachynskiOffensive Line CoachNathan WeichelAsst. Running Back CoachCarson CadieuxAsst. Offensive Line CoachJackson HaimeDefensive CoordinatorJustin KasakLinebacker CoachZach WoodDefensive Back CoachBrett McFarlaneDefensive Line CoachKent WoodAsst. Defensive Line CoachRiley KolodieAsst. Defensive Back CoachKeyshawn Gaskin
Games
References
External links
Winnipeg Rifles official site Canadian Junior Football League