Support for fall football overwhelming

Published in the Telegraph-Journal on April 1, 2009
Appeared on Page B8

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my support to Barry Ogden and the rest of the organizers of the Atlantic Football League, commencing play this fall.

The sport of football has grown exponentially in this region of the country over the past few years and much of it has been due to the efforts of numerous volunteers and organizations in the region.

I am the head coach of the Saint John Longhorns, who play in the 18-and-over Maritime Football League, which operates from from May to August every year. We have seen our league grow from a three-team league playing jamboreestyle football on Sunday afternoons to a 10-team, Maritime-wide league that has provided the young and young at heart an opportunity to continue their football careers.

The exciting thing about football is that it’s a sport that everyone can play.

The sport has a need for players of all shapes and sizes and because of the cost of equipment; the leagues generally provide all equipment for the players, which makes our sport affordable for all.

The Saint John Longhorns are very excited to see the creation of this league. It will provide more players, especially the younger ones, even more opportunity to play. By creating this league, we will soon be able to rival areas such as Quebec and Ontario for home-grown talent. We will see more of our young players enhancing their skills, thus resulting in New Brunswick players being able to compete at a higher level all over the country.

When looking at the names of the people involved in the creation of this league – a virtual who’s who of football in New Brunswick – I am extremely confident we’re going to see yet another successful step forward for the greatest sport around.

ERIC SABEAN Saint John.

New league enhances the team philosophy.

The Fundy Minor Football Association has been serving the needs of youth in Southern New Brunswick for more than 40 years. Since our inception in 1967, FMFA has grown to include more than 700 children from St. Stephen to Sussex with programs for ages six to 17.

In recent years, we have added many new teams including Flag and Atom divisions along with a Women’s Tackle Program in 2008 for ages 14-17 – the first of its kind in Canada.

Our philosophy is“Teaching Football with a Safe, Fun and Exciting Team Approach”. Our many volunteers are proud to be part of a major recreational program that includes children at all levels of talent and ability. We believe in encouraging participation and want to continually expand and promote the benefits of physical fitness and mental well being, teamwork and community spirit.

Consistent with our philosophy is the addition of a franchise (UNBSJ Seawolves ) in the new Atlantic Football League (AFL) for players aged 18-24. This team would not only stimulate community spirit and interest in football, but also fill the gap that currently exists each fall season for students who have completed high school, but would have to leave Southern New Brunswick if they want to continue their playing career.

The new Seawolves franchise would not only allow these players to stay and play at home, but would also likely attract students from outside areas to come live and learn with us to help grow our community.

Fundy Minor Football strongly supports the new AFL and looks forward to partnering with the UNBSJ Seawolves this fall in promoting football and expanding recreational opportunities for our young people.

BRUCE WATTS Fundy Minor Football League, vice-president west, on behalf of the league executive.

Former player, coach endorses league.

I would like to congratulate Barry Ogden on the efforts in establishing the Atlantic Football League.

As a former football player and coach, I believe it is important to have a venue for continued exercise and commitment to the team concept, after completion of high school. As I understand it, at the present time, no such venue exists for football players unless they go to a university that has a program, and they are good enough to make the team. I can see the AFL filling this void .

Many of us find that after graduation we get tied up in our lives and cease to participate in team activities thereby losing our connection to the concept and all that goes with it. In today’s world, team work is a vital part of our lives. Being a part of something gives us a sense of belonging. I see the AFL enhancing this sense for the individuals involved in the program, thus becoming better citizens of our community.

I fully support the efforts and commitment to this program and again extend my congratulations for going the extra mile to see this project become a success.

DAVID MORGAN, principal, Harbour View High School.

Maritime Football squad recognizes benefits.

The Saint John Wanderers senior football team wishes to fully support the Atlantic Football League and the UNBSJ Seawolves football program. Many of us coach and wish to see our players have a local place to play. Our players when they leave high school must leave our community if they wish to play fall football.

Minor and high school football programs have experienced tremendous growth so this is a natural extension of the work we have carried out and for our young people to keep playing. We do not have a fall program for our post-high school athletes. We are experiencing a huge loss of our young people and this opportunity will help to keep them here.

SAINT JOHN WANDERERS FOOTBALL TEAM, Maritime Football League.

Creation of new loop shows foresight.

As a long-standing member of the athletic community in the province, I applaud the initiative and foresight in developing the Atlantic Football League.

We have struggled for years to give our athletes the opportunity to continue to play football while garnering an education. Distance and unfamiliarity with the terrain have not been kind to us.

Our athletes in New Brunswick are every bit as intelligent and capable of playing at the next level as from any other region in the country. The growth of football in our region is phenomenal and unprecedented, and the Atlantic Football League is the next obvious progression.

I fully support the AFL and its goals and expect that this is one more rung in the development ladder of football and for the development of our youth here at home.

PHILIP MCGARVEY, coach, St. Malachy’s High School football team.

Young people gain exciting opportunity.

On behalf of the New Brunswick High School Football League I would like to congratulate Barry Ogden on the efforts in establishing the AFL, which will begin playing games this fall.

It is people with the vision and passion who create exciting opportunities for our young people. This league will definitely fill a void that exists for many of our high school players after they graduate by providing them with an opportunity to continue playing. The NBHSFL certainly supports the efforts in helping football grow in New Brunswick.

I am a firm believer that recreational outlets for our youth are essential in fostering positive social-emotional growth and pride in their communities. Kudos to you and your team of supporters for your commitment, time and energy in making this dream a reality.

PERRY KUKKONEN president, N.B. High School Football League.

NBCC excited about partnership.

Iam very enthusiastic about the establishment of a provincial collegiate football league in New Brunswick and the possibility of a Saint John team featuring students from UNBSJ and the NBCC Saint John campus.

The NBCC Saint John campus has a proud 40 year history of varsity athletics.

I have always maintained that a solid varsity program that developed the qualities of team work, self-assurance, self -control, camaraderie, hard work and leadership skills was a good thing for the student, the institution and the community.

The retention of some of our student-athletes in Saint John due to the creation of the Atlantic Football League can only be seen as a positive. UNBSJ and the NBCC Saint John campus have worked together for years developing various academic programs for students.

This athletic collaboration seems like a natural progression. I look forward to working with my friends at UNBSJ towards this common goal.

BARRY SHORT, athletics director, NBCC Saint John campus.

Increased athletics complements growth.

The Enterprise Saint John board of directors congratulates Barry Ogden on the establishment of an inter-provincial college football league for the Saint John community.

Saint John is experiencing a time of unprecedented growth; numerous mega-projects such as the refurbishment of Point Lepreau, Canaport LNG, the Sussex Potash Mine and Brunswick Pipeline are creating the foundation for an Energy Hub for the Saint John community. The long-term future of our community continues to look bright as other mega projects such as a second oil refinery (Eider Rock) and a second nuclear generating station (Lepreau 2) are on the horizon. In order, to support this tremendous development it is essential that our community attract, repatriate, and retain a highly skilled workforce.

Every opportunity to strengthen and grow the workforce within our community must be leveraged. The educational component to complement this growth exists with our post-secondary educational institutions such as NBCC-Saint John and UNBSJ. In order, to retain the youth (approximately 18-to-25 year olds) that these institutions already attract to our community, the creation of an inter-provincial college football league provides a connection to Saint John and enhances the quality of life experience for young adults in our region.

Enterprise Saint John considers the retention and attraction of youth as one of the fundamental factors required for the growth of workforce in our region.

The development of youth recreational and leisure time activities contributes to a positive, inclusive, social and cultural environment which will attract and retain our youth population enhancing the growth of a highly skilled workforce.

BOB MANNING, chairman, Enterprise Saint John.

New league fills a gap for players.

Congratulations on the formation of the Atlantic Football League. This league serves to fill a much needed gap for those young players who graduate from high school and have no where to play fall football. This league will allow young football players to continue to compete and play this great game we all love. A three-team league representing Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton is a great start to a long over due concept.

From a former Saint John resident, player and coach, I wish you all the best of luck with your new endeavour.

CHRIS VALARDO, head football coach, Nova Scotia U-17 Team.

Initiative supports growth strategy.

I would like to personally congratulate Barry Ogden on his efforts in establishing an Atlantic Football League.

Recreation and recreational facilities are key elements for our population growth strategy in the region. The establishment of the league will help to fill a void that presently exists in our community.

The league will be a welcomed addition for students who attend UNBSJ, NBCC and the Carpentry Center of New Brunswick. The endeavour will create recreation and entertainment opportunities for the city. Its great that Mr. Ogden has received commitment from 35 businesses that are prepared to invest in the youth of our city. The efforts, which target the 18-25 year olds, will have a positive impact on the economic development of Saint John. As the league matures, I see an opportunity to develop a healthy rivalry between the cities of the region.

Initiatives such as this will provide yet another reason to keep our youth active, healthy and at home. I wish the AFL every success with this endeavour.

MAYOR IVAN COURT Saint John.

Alumni sure to get on board.

Iwould like to congratulate the efforts made in bringing the UNBSJ Seawolves to Saint John. There has already been many letters of support detailing all the advantages on what the team will bring to the current community and its youth.

The other component is the alumni, it will start to build and they will want to put back into the system and the community that provided them support when they were in a time of need.

I am a former Saint John resident, but have been living in Montreal. You cannot put a price tag on the excitement that came back to our city when the Montreal Alouettes were reborn.

Once again, congratulations on all your hard work in making this dream come true, because nothing bad has ever come from doing something good for our youth.

WAYNE MCRAE, president, McGill University Football Alumni.

Engaging lifestyle key to success.

Congratulations on the establishment of an inter-provincial college football league and local team in Saint John.

Hosting sports at this calibre has many benefits that the community will enjoy.

With Saint John’s growth prospects over the next decade we will be challenged to find people to work on the many projects that will be coming on stream in the energy sector and the related projects. Your efforts will enhance the quality of life in Saint John for many people who are football enthusiasts especially a younger demographic – those whom we need to keep and attract to Saint John. Providing an engaging lifestyle is key to our success.

Not only will this initiative help to attract young people to go to school, work, and live in Saint John, it will attract others who will be going out to our restaurants and staying in our overnight accommodations.

Thanks for your hard work on this initiative and the many other community focused activities that you volunteer your time on to make Saint John a better place to live.

PETER ASIMAKOS, general manager, Uptown Saint John Inc.

Role of athletics can’t be understated.

On behalf of the board of directors of the Saint John Board of Trade, I am writing to voice our support to the expansion of the athletics program at the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ). The role of the athletics program in post-secondary institutions cannot be understated as it provides a unifying force for the university student body and community.

A football team at UNBSJ has the potential to provide deserving students another means to fund their education through scholarships and an enhancement through physical activity and team participation. Many universities and colleges throughout North America are home to football teams. The possible creation of a football team at UNBSJ could provide a source of increased exposure for the University and the City of Saint John at a national level.

The Saint John Board of Trade is dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity and an improved quality of life in the community.

With more than 1000 members, representing 600 small, medium and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.

IMELDA GILMAN, president, Saint John Board of Trade.