Meet our Board of Directors

Recreation Manitoba is a volunteer-based organization, comprised of individuals who work in parks, recreation and related fields.

Courtney Bangert-Murray l  President of Recreation Manitoba  l Program Coordinator, City of Selkirk 

A life-long resident of the Eastman region, Courtney has worked within the recreation sector for over 13 years in a variety of roles. These roles have included working with children through respite, teaching swimming lessons, managing aquatic facilities, working as a recreation director and program coordinator, coaching many sports and volunteering in her community. After graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, Courtney became passionate about using recreation as a driving force to help strengthen community connections and improve the lives of individuals to help live fulfilling, purposeful and healthy lives.  

Courtney is the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Selkirk. She also plays an important role as a Family Recreation Practitioner, with Recreation Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman. Courtney has served on the Recreation Manitoba board since 2020 and has volunteered since 2020 as part of the annual conference committee. In addition to her titles, she is a certified fitness leader with the Manitoba Fitness Council, leading classes weekly. Courtney can often be found "pool-side", facilitating lifeguard and swim instructor training or teaching first-aid as an affiliate with the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba. In her leisure time, Courtney enjoys swimming, listening to music, hiking, camping, cycling and traveling! 

Brenna Philp l  Vice President of Recreation Manitoba  l  Director of Recreation & Leisure Services and RM of Gimli 

Brenna has been a part of the recreation world since childhood.  She has gone from grass roots sport to competitive sport, to coaching and a career in the field, and now a proud volunteer for her children’s activities.  Knowing the powerful impact that recreation has on everyone makes volunteering and giving back that much easier. Brenna has been involved with Recreation Manitoba since 2018 and joined the Board in 2022.  She is currently the Director of Recreation & Leisure Services and RM of Gimli. Brenna has her Bachelor of Kinesiology and continues to take courses and training when opportunities arise, and enjoys sitting on various boards and committees throughout the Interlake region.  She continues to enjoy curling and playing slo-pitch throughout the year along with coaching youth baseball and watching her boys in hockey. 

Justine Friesen  l  Recreation Programmer, City of Brandon

Justine has worked for the City of Brandon since June of 2015, first as the Youth Centre Coordinator and now as a Recreation Programmer. She has been involved with the annual Recreation Manitoba conference since 2015 and has been a Board Member for the organization since 2020. Knowledge gained through prior positions with the City of Winnipeg Recreation Department, working at a golf course, ballpark, multiple daycares and a placement with the Manitoba Provincial Department of Recreation and Regional Services has prepared her for a career in Recreation. In addition to her work and volunteer experience, she possesses a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development with a minor in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Justine is passionate about working with her community and providing opportunities to increase overall well-being!

Chris Chong  l  Manager of Customer Service & Operations, Dakota Community Centre

Chris has been part of the sport and recreation sector for 10+ years and joined the Recreation Manitoba Board in 2022. He got his first experience in the field while at the University of Manitoba, working in a variety of roles within their Recreation Services and Sport Facilities department as an Event/Facility Staff, Program Assistant, Intramural Supervisor, Hockey/Basketball/Soccer League Convenor and Customer Service Representative. A graduate of the University of Manitoba's Bachelor of Recreation and Community Development program, Chris credits his passion for recreation to the time spent while pursuing his degree. Chris took that passion to other organizations such as the Manitoba Major Soccer League, Volleyball Manitoba and now, Dakota Community Centre as the Manager of Customer Service & Operations. In Chris' (limited) spare time, he is a certified Regional (Level 3) indoor volleyball referee and also volunteers his time as a Board Member of the Manitoba Volleyball Officials Association. Chris loves spending time and having everyday adventures with his wife and two young children whom he hopes to instill the same passion for sport and recreation in their lives.

Heather Reimer   l   Manager of Recreation, City of Brandon

Heather has worked in the recreation sector for 20 years in program delivery, community development and facility management.  Heather currently works as the Manager of Recreation, for the City of Brandon.  Recreation is an important part of Heather’s professional and personal life, and she strongly advocates that recreation is an essential service for growing healthy, vibrant and connected communities.  Heather joined the Recreation Manitoba Board of Directors in 2022, and is eager to work with the board, and all members to advance recreation initiatives throughout the province. 

Chris Brown  l  Administrative Coordinator of Recreation Operations, City of Winnipeg

Chris Brown began his career in recreation 35 years ago as a day camp leader with the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg. Since then, he has managed programs and facilities in the not-for-profit and private for-profit fitness sectors. A graduate of the University of Manitoba's Bachelor of Physical Education program, Chris is currently Administrative Coordinator of Recreation Operations with the City of Winnipeg.

Norman Ettawacappo  l  Facility Manager, St Norbert Community Centre

Norman is a First Nation member of the Norway House Cree Nation working and residing in Winnipeg. His professional and personal interest lies in sport, recreation, active living and youth oriented programs and projects. He has worked with and volunteered for non-profit organizations, major events and multisport games.  Sport and recreation has been a huge part of his life personally and professionally and he hopes that his continued involvement in the industry provides more opportunities to increase participation for our community members and help organizations improve those programs. He is currently the Facility Manager for the St. Norbert Community Centre and is excited to join the Recreation Manitoba board of directors.

Sharon Arsenault  l  Facility Manager Sergeant Tommy Prince Place, City of Winnipeg

Sharon has been a recreation practitioner for over 30 years with the City of Winnipeg. From a youth and children’s on-site leader, senior leader, preschool, family, special events and finally facility management.

Sharon has a passion for community programming and special events especially in my low income surroundings. She is currently the facility manager at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg. Sharon has been a volunteer for Recreation Manitoba for over 14 years!