By Jon MacNeill
Published in the Telegraph-Journal on Tuesday July 14, 2009
Appeared on Page B6

SAINT JOHN - New Brunswick is hitting the national stage as the province will make its debut on the Canadian flag football scene later this month.

Marcus Whittingham, a volunteer with Fundy Minor Football, is organizing the first New Brunswick team to play in the NFL Flag Football U-15 Nationals in Ottawa from July 24-26.

Flag football is a non-contact version of the sport in which ball possession is won by snagging a flag tied around an opponent's waist. The Fundy Minor Football Association started a program four years ago as a safer alternative to tackle football.

"It's for younger kids, before they hit the tackle age," Whittingham said.

He said participants can develop many of the same skills, tactics and strategies used in football without any body contact.

"It eliminates the head-hunters and brings it down to a more general level where everyone can enjoy the game."

The 28-year-old Saint John man was running a U-15 spring tackle program when he was approached by Fundy Minor Football to organize the provincial squad.

The team was selected early last week and is comprised of four Saint John area youth and two players from Fredericton.

"There's some talent here in New Brunswick, I was pretty pumped," Whittingham said.

The province will play in the eastern conference at nationals, alongside Nova Scotia, P.E.I, Ontario and Quebec. The western side is represented by Manitoba, B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.

As the only province yet to play in a national flag tournament, Whittingham is more concerned with laying the groundwork for future teams than trying to win a medal.

"We're the rookies for sure. In terms of competing against the other teams, it's going to be interesting to see," he said.

"We're going to be as much of a nuisance as possible."

While he admits the inexperienced squad may have a hard time placing against the likes of Ontario and British Columbia - where more than 1,200 youth play flag football alone - Whittingham is confident his team won't be blown out.

"I think they'll look really good on the field. Their techniques and skills are very good," he said.

There's no competitive flag football circuit in the province, so Whittingham invites youth from the Saint John area to scrimmage with the provincial lineup when they practise three times a week. He said the players make up for a lack of stiff competition in their own way.

"They compete between themselves. (The kids we invite to practice) are from different areas, so a kid from the west side wants to represent his end of town," Whittingham said. "They're showcasing their skills to each other."

Football Canada covers virtually all the expenses the players will incur on their two-day trip to Ottawa. Lodging, travel costs and meals are provided by the national organization, while Football New Brunswick has donated $300 to cover additional food costs.

Bill Murphy, technical director of Fundy Minor Football's flag program, has watched the team practice a few times. He thinks the provincial squad will make a strong first impression at nationals.

"The kids have good knowledge of flag rules and good knowledge of football - because they've played tackle for years," Murphy said. "It's just a matter of pulling the flag now."