Rebecca van Staalduinen Named Head Coach of Excalibur Women’s Volleyball

Director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent University Nathan McFadden announced the appointment of Rebecca van Staalduinen as the new head coach of the Excalibur women's volleyball program. 

Photo courtesy of trent university.

A longtime member of the program, van Staalduinen becomes the first female head coach in the history of Trent women's volleyball. Van Staalduinen '10 (Champlain College) brings more than a decade of experience with the Excalibur to her new role. After completing 10 seasons as associate coach, she begins her 11th season with the program as head coach.

A graduate of Trent's Biology program with a specialization in Health Sciences, she has been a dedicated contributor to Excalibur volleyball both on the court as a student-athlete, and on the sidelines as a coach. 

"Rebecca's commitment to Trent women's volleyball and her passion for our student-athletes and their holistic development make her an outstanding choice to lead our women's program," said McFadden. "Her experience as both a student-athlete and coach at Trent gives her a deep understanding of our values and how we want to continue to build a successful program." 

Van Staalduinen first joined the Excalibur coaching staff during the 2014–15 season and has played a key role in the program's growth and development ever since. 

"I've been part of this program since 2010; as a student-athlete, an alum, and an assistant coach, and it has shaped who I am," said van Staalduinen. "I'm honoured to now step into the role of Head Coach, building on the strong foundation Colin has established over the past three seasons while continuing to move the program forward. This program means a great deal to me, and I'm excited about the future and the opportunity to continue growing it alongside our student-athletes and staff." 

Prior to her coaching career, van Staalduinen enjoyed a decorated playing career. She competed for one season at Fleming College, where she earned National Scholar recognition, before continuing her career with the Excalibur at Trent. During her four seasons as a student-athlete, she was named an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association First Team All-Star twice and a Second Team All-Star once. She helped lead Trent to an OCAA bronze medal in the 2013 to 2014 season and was named an OCAA Championship All-Star. Van Staalduinen was also a two-time team MVP and represented the program at the OCAA All-Star Game on three occasions. 

Her development as a coach has also included national-level training opportunities. In 2022 to 20223, van Staalduinen was selected to participate in the U SPORTS Female Apprentice Coach Program, an initiative designed to increase the number of women in coaching roles across Canadian universities by pairing developing coaches with experienced mentors.

As part of the transition, former head coach Colin Walker will remain with the program in a mentorship and senior advisory capacity with the women's team while continuing in his role as head coach of the men's volleyball program.

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Fleming Phoenix Rookie Student Athlete Receives Provincial Recognition

Fleming Phoenix’s Nathan Walters-Sundararajah of the varsity men’s basketball team was named a member of the Men’s Basketball East Division All-Rookie team by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) last Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

He was one of five student-athletes to receive the honour.

Walters-Sundararajah is from Toronto and is in Fleming’s Carpentry and Renovation Technician program. In his first season with the Phoenix, Walters-Sundararajah logged 245 minutes of playing time in 16 games this season, earning six starts and 128 points over the course of the season.

According to Fleming, Walters-Sundararajah’s coaches rave about his immediate impact on the court, getting the ball up the floor quickly and drawing attention from the defence with his ability to get to the key. He also has an innate ability to draw fouls and create opportunities for his teammates.

Walters-Sundararajah’s efforts helped the Phoenix men’s basketball team secure a playoff spot this season.

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Peterborough Petes Round One Playoff Tickets On Sale

With the Peterborough Petes returning to the playoffs since their OHL Championship in the 2022-23 season, single-game tickets for the first round of the playoffs are on sale.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 34-22-1-3 record. Photo courtesy of Charles Warburton and the Brampton Steelheads.

They are available on Ticketmaster as game dates and times will be confirmed playoff seeding is determined.

Single-game home tickets can be purchased by clicking online, at the Doane Grant Thornton Box Office or by calling 705-743-3561. Playoff packages are also available through the Petes Account Manager.

Petes Season Ticket Members have until March 20 at 10 a.m. to reserve their seats for the 2026 OHL Playoffs.

Season Ticket Members who need assistance setting up their Account Manager can attend the drop-in sessions below at the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s North Lobby (near Gate 1):

• Tuesday, March 10 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 11 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Petes return home for their Thursday game against the Ottawa 67’s with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Telus Cup Single Tickets Now On Sale

The TELUS Cup is running from April 20 to April 26 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, with single tickets on sale.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Featuring the top six U18 men’s club teams from across Canada, the TELUS Cup is a national tournament that will bring elite competition and fast-paced action.

Single-game tickets are available at tiered pricing, with ticket costs increasing as the TELUS Cup progresses. Fans are encouraged to purchase early to take advantage of lower prices during the tournament’s preliminary round, with premium pricing in place for playoff games and the championship final. 

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting memorialcentre.ca. Group and family packages are available. 

“This tournament is expected to draw some of Canada’s best athletes, their families and hockey fans to Peterborough,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I would encourage everyone to grab a ticket for the TELUS Cup to make sure they don’t miss a moment of action as some of the nation’s best players take to the ice right here in Peterborough.”

The City of Peterborough is receiving support from the Government of Ontario through the Sport Hosting Program to help bring the TELUS Cup back to Ontario for the first time in seven years.

“Our government is proud to support the TELUS Cup through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Sport. “This event gives our athletes a chance to compete on a national stage right here at home, while boosting tourism and supporting local businesses in Peterborough. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers and everyone involved in bringing this exciting event back to our province.” 

The full TELUS Cup schedule can be found at memorialcentre.ca.  

School packages for the TELUS Cup are also available. Tickets for school packages are $5 per seat, per game.  Educators can contact the Memorial Centre box office at 705-745-3561 or email MemCentre@peterborough.ca for more information on school packages.

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Trent University's Second-Annual 'Curl with Cathy Funspiel' Raises Over $12,000 Student-Athlete Support

The second-annual ‘Curl with Cathy Funspiel’ raised over $12,000 Peterborough in financial support for Trent University Excalibur student-athletes at the Golf and Country Club on Saturday.

Dr. Cathy Bruce (far left) with Trent Students and faculty during the second-annual Curl with Cathy Funspiel. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Hosted by Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor, the event offered a day of curling and camaraderie to raise support for Trent's Green & White Athletic Financial Awards. 

“I want to thank everyone for taking part and for supporting this important cause. The generosity helps student athletes’ balance academics, training, competition and life beyond sport,” said Bruce. “To date, the fund has benefited over 450 Trent student-athletes, helping remove barriers, open doors and create opportunities for students to thrive at Trent. The impact of this support is also reflected in the success we continue to see across Excalibur Athletics.” 

This year’s event featured two sold-out draws, with more than 60 participants taking to the ice. Through event registrations, sponsorships and a silent auction, the 2026 Funspiel exceeded the fundraising target for the year and nearly doubled the inaugural year’s fundraising total of $7,000. 

“I want to thank President Bruce for her leadership and for once again championing this event in support of our student-athletes,” said Nathan McFadden, director, Trent Athletics & Recreation. “Her commitment to the Green & White Scholarship Fund continues to make a meaningful difference and is helping us reach new levels of success, both on our respective fields of play and in the classroom. It was special to see the Peterborough Golf and Country Club filled for the second annual Funspiel, which speaks volumes about the strength of our Trent community and the belief our supporters have in Excalibur student-athletes.”  

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Peterborough Petes Split Games On Weekend Michigan Road Trip

The Peterborough Petes earned two points in their two-game road trip in Michigan over the weekend.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 34-22-1-3 record. Photo courtesy of Eric Young of Dream Bigger Media.

The Peterborough Petes started the second game of a three-game road trip against the Saginaw Spirit at the Dow Event Center on Saturday. Despite the Petes outshooting the Spirit 49-25, Saginaw scored four unanswered in the third period for a 5-2 win.

Brennan Faulkner and Matthew Soto scored for Peterborough, while Adam Novotný, Adam Levac, Kieron Walton and Brody Partridge each picked up an assist.

Peterborough hit the final leg of the trip against the Flint Firebirds on Sunday. The Petes took the lead in the third period, with Novotný scoring a late empty net goal to seal the 4-2 win.

Easton Rye stopped 32 shots for his league-leading 33rd win of the season. Aiden Young and Matthew Perrault had two helpers. Yanis Lutz, Carson Cameron, Brennan Faulkner and Novotný all scored. Matthew Soto and Adam Levac also tallied an assist.

@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes earned two points in their two-game road trip in Michigan over the weekend. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

The Petes return home for their Thursday game against the Ottawa 67’s with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Peterborough Petes Earn a Point In Comeback Bid But Fall Short in Shootout to Windsor Spitfires

The Peterborough Petes made a valiant effort in a comeback but ultimately lost to the Windsor Spitfires in a 4-3 shootout loss at the WFCU Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 33-21-1-3 record. Photo courtesy of Isabella Ruccolo and the Windsor Spitfires.

The first period went well for the home team as the Windsor Spitfires put up two goals thanks to Jakub Fibigr and New York Rangers prospect Liam Greentree to lead 2-0 after the first period.

Peterborough found their footing as just nearly five minutes into the period, Kieron Walton scored as he was all alone point-blank to cut the deficit in half. Calum Hartnell tied the game for the Petes just under four minutes alter with a wrist shot from the centre point for a 2-2 game. Greentree struck again for Windsor over halfway through the period to restore Windsor’s lead to 3-2 going into the final frame.

Only one goal was scored but it belonged to Peterborough on the power play. Aidan Young wristed one but it was saved. The puck was loose and both scrambled for it. Matthew Soto jammed away at the puck and it found its way through the net for a tie game for an eventual overtime.

With three-on-three overtime solving nothing, the game had to be decided in a shootout. Greentree scored the lone goal for Windsor to pick up the victory and knock off Peterborough’s comeback bid.

The following were the shootout results:

• PBO - Leon Kolarik (No Goal)

• WSR - Liam Greentree (Goal)

• PBO - Kieron Walton (No Goal)

• WSR - Ethan Belchetz (No Goal)

• PBO - Adam Novotný (No Goal)

@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes made a valiant effort in a comeback but ultimately lost to the Windsor Spitfires in a 4-3 shootout loss. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

The Petes continue their three-game road trip as they head to Saginaw to take on the Spirit at the Dow Event Center at 7:05 p.m. this Saturday.

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Peterborough Lakers Unveil Season Schedule; Home Opener On May 21 Against Six Nations Chiefs

The Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season is set for the Peterborough Lakers as they have unveiled their schedule for 2026, with May 21 as the home opener against the Six Nations Chiefs, announced at the Peterborough & District Hall of Fame on Thursday morning.

(from left to right) Pete Dalliday, Lakers director of community engagement; Teddy, Lakers mascot and Ted Higgins, Lakers Board of Directors president banging the drum for a “Go, Lakers, Go!” chant. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This season has 18 regular-season games, with nine home and nine away, playing each of the other six MSL teams three times.

The MSL announced that this year’s first round of the playoffs is a best-of-five series but the finals remain a best-of-seven.

All Lakers’ home games are on Thursdays at 8 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC). Event nights such as Country Night, Peterborough Regional Health Centre Night and Canada Day are returning for this year.

“Our players love performing in front of this community,” said Pete Dalliday, Lakers director of community engagement. “When the building is full and loud, it’s a special place to play. We’re ready to give the fans something to cheer about all summer. We want every night at the PMC to feel like an event. We’ve got some fun surprises and some new exciting theme nights coming and we can’t wait to share them with our fans.”

@ptbo_canada The @ptbolakerslax have unveiled their schedule for 2026 with May 21 as the home opener against the six Nations Chiefs. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #lacrosse ♬ Sport - Syafeea library

The Lakers schedule is as follows:

• May 21 vs. Six Nations Chiefs at 8 p.m.

• May 28 vs. Brampton Excelsiors at 8 p.m.

• May 30 at Owen Sound North Stars at 4 p.m.

• June 1 at Oakville Rock at 7:30 p.m.

• June 4 vs. Brooklin LC at 8 p.m.

• June 10 at Brooklin LC at 8 p.m.

• June 18 at Brampton Excelsiors at 8 p.m.

• June 21 at Cobourg Kodiaks at 6 p.m.

• June 25 vs. Brooklin LC at 8 p.m.

• June 29 at Oakville Rock at 7:30 p.m.

• July 2 vs. Cobourg Kodiaks at 8 p.m.

• July 7 at Six Nations Chiefs at 8 p.m.

• July 9 vs. Owen Sound North Stars at 8 p.m.

• July 16 vs. Oakville Rock at 8 p.m.

• July 23 vs. Cobourg Kodiaks at 8 p.m.

• July 24 at Brampton Excelsiors at 8 p.m.

• July 28 at Six Nations Chiefs at 8 p.m.

• July 30 vs Owen Sound North Stars at 8 p.m.

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Postseason-Bound Peterborough Petes Notch Pair of Weekend Wins

The Peterborough Petes have punched their ticket to the postseason since their 2023 OHL Championship run and recorded two weekend victories over the Brampton Steelheads and Brantford Bulldogs.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 33-21-1-2 record and have clinched a postseason berth. Photo courtesy of Charles Warburtonand the BRampton Steelheads.

In their final matchup of the season, Peterborough defeated Brampton, 4-1, which included two empty-net goals at the CAA Centre on Friday night.

Kieron Walton led the Petes with a goal and two assists. Adam Novotný scored and had an assist while Brennan Faulkner notched two helpers. Matthew Soto and Aiden Young scored, with James Petrovski and Francis Parish each getting an assist. Easton Rye stopped 34 of 35 for his 31st win of the season.

Peterborough officially clinched a postseason berth after Brampton lost to Owen Sound Attack, 5-0, on Saturday night.

The Petes returned home and won a nail-biter against the first-place Brantford Bulldogs in a 4-3 overtime win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The game was Peterborough’s annual Talk Today Mental Health Awareness game in partnership with CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha, and Pine Ridge.

Faulkner tied the game with 48 seconds remaining and Novotný scored his second of the game and 30th of the season in overtime to give the Petes a 4-3 win.

Petrovski and Walton each had two assists. Matthew Soto recorded his 200th career OHL point, scoring his 17th goal of the season. Faulkner scored his 20th goal with Young getting an assist. Easton Rye stopped 30 of 33 for his league-leading 32nd win.

@ptbo_canada The @Peterborough Petes are playoff bound and notched two weekend wins after victories over the Brampton Steelheards and Branftford Bulldogs. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #sports ♬ Winning - ROKKA

The Petes play a rare Thursday road game when they travel to Windsor to take on the Spitfires for 7:05 p.m. at the WFCU Centre.

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Eligible Liquor Licensees Can Sell Alcohol As Early As 6 A.M. For Final Day of 2026 Winter Olympics This Sunday

For the final day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved a temporary extension of liquor sale and service hours across Ontario on Sunday.

PTBOCanada Video Screenshot.

Eligible liquor sales licensees may begin selling and serving alcohol at 6 a.m. The standard closing time of 2 a.m. remains unchanged.

The extension applies only to indoor licensed areas, not to outdoor licensed areas such as patios, etc.

The gold medal game for men’s hockey between Canada and the USA starts at 8:10 a.m. EST on Sunday.

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