BELONGING
20
A ROYAL 
WELCOME
Community  Shows  Up for  WPC Football
Long before the first whistle, something 
special was already taking shape.
Staff across LRSD’s Healthy Living department, Windsor Park 
Collegiate (WPC) and Collège Béliveau (CB) came together with a 
shared goal: bring football to Windsor Park and build something 
students could belong to. What followed was months of planning, 
uncertainty, and belief. The result was the first-ever WPC Royals 
football team.
For coach Brett Delisle-Boughen, it all came together quickly.
“It was great. It was stressful. It was very challenging,” he said. 
“It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been awesome.”
After a call from principal Robbie Mager, the former Dakota 
Collegiate coach stepped into a new opportunity. In just a few 
months, a small group of interested students from WPC and CB 
turned into a full roster, ready to compete.
Getting there took real effort. Staff worked closely with leagues, 
partners, and provincial organizations to make it possible. 
The timeline, stretching from May to September, was tight.
“Cuckoo bananas,” Mager said.
Still, they pushed forward.
At first, there was hesitation in the community. A football team 
at WPC was new. Unexpected. But as the season approached, 
momentum grew.
And when game day arrived, the community showed up.
The Royals’ inaugural home opener drew a packed crowd of families, 
friends, and alumni. The stands were full. The energy was loud. It felt 
like something had been missing—and suddenly, it was there.
“To see that excitement… it was a packed house,” said Mager. 
“That speaks volumes to what football truly means in this community.”
On the field, the team was young. Many players were completely 
new to the game. There were challenges. There were mistakes. 
But there was also growth.
“They had to learn through repetition and errors,” said 
Delisle-Boughen. “But every game, there were moments.”
Those moments became more frequent.
A long touchdown off a perfectly timed route. A defensive breakout 
from a player who had never played before. An offensive line that, 
game by game, started to click.
Slowly, the game started to make sense.
But the biggest wins weren’t on the scoreboard.
“Belonging is the first one,” said Delisle-Boughen. 
“Kids need to feel that they are part of something.”
That sense of belonging showed up everywhere.
In the hallways, where players wore their jerseys with pride. 
In the high-fives from classmates. In the smiles before games.
“It’s like they have something. They have a purpose,” said Mager.
And football made space for everyone.
“It’s such a body-inclusive sport,” said Delisle-Boughen. 
“Every type of student has a role. They all work together 
toward the same goal.”
Looking ahead, that sense of purpose is only growing.
Next season, the Royals will move into full varsity competition, 
supported by a stronger and more experienced program. Returning 
players will bring a full year of game experience, stepping into 
leadership roles and helping guide newer teammates.
At the same time, new students continue to sign up, 
many of them exploring school athletics for the first time.
“We have a number of leaders now,” said Delisle-Boughen. 
“That’s going to be a huge benefit for our team.”
The coaching group is expanding as well, with a veteran varsity 
coach joining the program. 
Preparation is also starting earlier. Camps and training 
opportunities throughout the summer will give players more time 
to learn, connect, and build confidence before the season begins.
To make the sport even more accessible to the LRSD community, 
WPC and neighbouring CB have created a formal partnership, 
allowing students at the French Immersion school to remain at 
their home school while still playing for the Royals.
On the field, expectations are growing. Confidence is building.
“We’re coming out swinging,” said Delisle-Boughen. 
“We’ve got nothing to lose.”
But the mission remains the same.
“We want to be competitive,” he said, “but that’s not the 
main priority. It’s to build accountable, active members of 
our community.”
And that is already happening.
“If you never take a chance, you never have a chance.”

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