Football BC's The Huddle Newsletter
November 2009 | Issue #11  Governing Body for Amateur Football in BC

Football BC mourns passing of SFU QB Bernd Dittrich

The Football BC family would like to extend our condolences to the family of Bernd Dittrich and the entire SFU Clan Football team after the sudden passing of quarterback Bernd Dittrich on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

Dittrich, 21, was taken to hospital on Tuesday evening after losing consciousness in a swimming pool on SFU’s Burnaby campus and died in hospital on Wednesday morning. He is survived by his family in Austria.

"Our hearts go out to Bernd’s family," said SFU’s Senior Director of Athletics, Dr. David Murphy, in a press release. "The SFU athletics community has lost an exceptional young man. Bernd was not only a great athelete on the field, but also an inspiring individual in all aspects of life. We will miss him tremendously."

Dittrich played in 24 games during his Clan career, throwing for 2,684 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 763 yards and eight touchdowns. Funeral arrangements have not been confirmed.

         

Columbia Valley Football 

By Brian Olthuis, Football BC Vice-President of Programs

If you build it, they will come.

That seems to be the motto of Bruce Marlow, coach of the Invermere Bighorns. When Bruce and his wife Karen purchased their Invermere vacation home ten years ago, it was natural for the football-loving Bruce, who formerly coached with the Calgary Colts, to visit Invermere High School to see if he could help with the football program. Bruce was amazed to find out not only did Invermere not have a football program, the high school did not even have a football. Bruce’s solution? Buy 70 sets of gear and announce the founding of the Invermere Bighorns. Since he has built it, they have come … players, sponsors, volunteers and other supporters.

The team has recently leased to purchase a prize piece of Invermere downtown property overlooking Windermere Lake for their field of dreams. Goal post, bleachers, underground sprinklers and a big sign proclaiming "Home of the Bighorns Football Club" have been installed. Bruce is building a clubhouse on his three-acre property to act as a fitness facility and meeting place for the players as well as store equipment. He is also building an entertainment centre in his home for the players to watch game film.

Bruce and Karen believe in what the game and the life lessons belonging to a team can offer young people. It is obvious on meeting some of the players that they are well disciplined. There are strict rules that apply to all players without exception. There are also privileges - monthly dinners (where they are expected to display proper manners), trips on their newly purchased bus, coaching training and the camaraderie of being a Bighorn.

Bruce is a humble man. He would say it is not about him, it is about the kids. However, without Bruce Marlow there would not be a thriving football team in the heart of the Columbia Valley. 

For a selection of pictures from Brian’s visit, visit Football BC’s Facebook page.

Finalists named for 2009 ‘The Home Depot’ NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award

The National Football League announced on Tuesday the ten finalists for this year’s 'The Home Depot' NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award and for fans of B.C. football, there is a strong local flavour in the list of finalists this year.

Football BC would like to congratulate Coach Mark Townsend of the Victoria Renegades and Mount Douglas Secondary School in Victoria, B.C., as well as Coach Bruce Marlow of the Columbia Valley Bighorns for making it down to the final ten.

More than 500 coaches from across Canada were nominated for the award, which is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who share a passion for football and dedicate themselves to the development of young players both on and off the field.

The winner and runners-up will be announced via press release on Thursday, November 19th in Toronto. The winner will receive $5,000 of new football equipment for his program as well as a $1,000 gift card from The Home Depot. The two runners-up will each receive $2,000 in equipment and $500 gift cards from The Home Depot.

For more information on 'The Home Depot' NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award, visit NFLCanada.com.

Matchups set for this Saturday’s inaugural BCCFA 9-man championships

Four of the six Leagues within the BC Community Football Association will be represented this Saturday at Hillside Stadium when the inaugural 9-man championships takes place in beautiful Kamloops, B.C.

The Prince George Pee Wee team, the Vanderhoof Jr. Bantam Vikings and the Vanderhoof Bantam team (all from the North Football League) got a chance to rest and prepare this weekend as they anxiously awaited the semi-final results from the Vancouver Mainland Football League, the Vancouver Island Football League and the Southern Interior Football League to come in to learn who they will be facing at this Saturday’s championship, respectively.

In the Pee Wee division, it will be the Victoria Hitmen of the VIFL that will battle Prince George for Pee Wee bragging rights after they earned a berth in the final by knocking off the VMFL’s Cloverdale Lynx on Saturday at Dennison Park in South Delta.

Cloverdale won’t go home empty-handed however, as their Jr. Bantam Cougars managed to out-last the Richmond Raiders on Sunday evening at the Cloverdale Athletic Park to earn their trip to Kamloops

In the Bantam division, it was the Kelowna Storm that earned their spot in the final with a convincing 36-6 win over Kamloops.

Tickets for 9-man championship are just $5 for adults and $2 for fans between the ages of 13-18 and fans 65-or-older. Admission is free for children under the age of 12. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on game day. The Pee Wee championship kicks off at 11:00am, followed by the Junior Bantam championship at 1:30pm and the Bantam championship at 4:00pm.

For more information, visit the BC Community Football Association website. 

      

Ticket prices set for Saturday’s Canadian Bowl Championships

Kamloops is not the only British Columbia city that will be hosting playoff football this weekend (and no, that's not a cheap shot at our beloved BC Lions, who will be traveling to Hamilton on Sunday to play in the Eastern Division Semi-Final). The immaculate Vancouver Island Raiders will be looking to repeat as national champions on Saturday at Caledonia Park when they host the Edmonton Wildcats in the CJFL's Canadian Bowl championship. Kickoff is at 1:00pm PT.

Ticket prices are just $15 for adults and $12 for seniors/students/children and can be purchased at Atlas Truss at 2005 Boxwood Road until Friday, November 13th. If you want reserved seating, you must purchase your tickets at Atlas Truss by this Friday. Tickets purchased at the box office on game day will be best available only. For more information, visit the VI Raiders playoff ticket information page.

The two-time Canadian Bowl champion Raiders will also be hosting a Dinner of Champions on Friday, November 13th at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Cocktails will be at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm. Special guests in attendance include former BC Lions greats Lui Passaglia, Glen Jackson and Jamie Taras. Tickets for the Dinner of Champions are just $65 each or $500 for a table of ten.

If you are interested in attending the Dinner of Champions, please call 250.754.1004 or email office@viraiders.ca. 

First round of BC High School Football set to get underway this weekend

The playoff brackets have been set for the AA Varsity and AAA Varsity Divisions in BC High School football with all the action getting underway in earnest beginning this Friday in three separate locations.

"Playoffs are a very exciting time for us at B.C. High School Football," said Larry Reda, Provincial Championships Coordinator for B.C. High School Football. "We are looking forward to some very competitive matchups over the next few weeks leading up to the Subway Bowl."

In the AA Varsity Division, five games will be played on Friday, November 13, 2009 with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals. McLeod Stadium in Langley will host a triple-header of games with Rick Hansen (6-1) playing John Barsby (3-4) at 3:00pm, Mission (4-3) playing Handsworth (4-3) at 5:30pm and Windsor (5-2) playing Pitt Meadows (2-4) at 8:00pm. At the CNC’s Mission Stadium in Kelowna, Okanagan-Mission (4-0) will be facing Correlieu (2-3) at 5:00pm while at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, Norkam (1-2) will battling Sands (4-3) at 7:30pm.

The AAA Varsity Division playoffs begin on Friday, November 13, 2009 with Kelly Road (5-0) facing Kelowna (4-0) at 7:30pm at the CNC’s Mission Stadium in Kelowna.

On Saturday, November 14, 2009, McLeod Stadium in Langley will host a quadruple-header beginning at 12:30pm when South Kamloops (2-2) faces St. Thomas More Collegiate (2-3). Mt Boucherie (3-1) takes on Lord Tweedsmuir (1-4) at 3:00pm followed by W.J. Mouat (4-1) facing Notre Dame (3-2) at 5:30pm. The day wraps up with Terry Fox (3-2) facing Carson Graham (2-3) at 8:00pm.

Visit the BC High School Football website for more information on their playoff schedule and the 2009 Subway Bowl.

                                       

Reminder: Support minor sports concussion education by voting for Football BC

Football BC has submitted an entry for the Aviva Community Fund and we are asking all our members to help support our bid by visiting the Aviva Community Fund website and voting for Football BC's idea.

To search for Football BC's idea, simply visit the www.avivacommunityfund.org and search for idea ACF1756. You must register on the website in order to vote. Registration is simple and free.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Reminder: Support Football BC with a donation to the National Sport Trust Fund - BC Chapter

Football BC would like to encourage members and supporters who have the financial ability to make a contribution to support Football BC with a donation through the National Sport Trust Fund (NSTF).

To support Football BC, simply visit the NSTF webpage on Sport BC's website and click on Cash Donations. Fill out the information as required and select "Football BC - SR Bowl Program" under the Select a Project drop down menu.

Thank you in advance for your support. To discuss different methods that you can help support Football BC, contact us at communications@playfootball.bc.ca or by phone at 604.677.1025.

Reminder: Nominate the 2009 Community Coach and Scholastic Coach of the Year

Football BC is asking supporters of a Football BC member organization to send in nominations for this year's Community Coach of the Year and/or Scholastic Coach of the Year. The winning coaches will be honoured at the 2010 BC Lions Orange Helmet Awards Dinner.

Fully completed nomination forms and citations must be received by Friday, December 11, 2009. Nominations will not be accepted verbally or by phone. For detailed information and to download the nomination form, visit the Football BC website. 

      

Reminder: Order your tickets for the 2009 Subway All-Star Banquet Today!

Support and celebrate the 2009 BC High School Football season in style by purchasing a ticket or a table for the upcoming 2009 Subway All-Star Awards banquet.

The banquet will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre. Tickets are only $60 each or $600 for a table of 10.

To order tickets, contact:

Lui Garcea
Banquet Co-Chairperson
Cell: 778.990.9299
E-mail: lgarcea@telus.net

 Mark Nykolaichuk
Banquet Co-Chairperson
Cell: 604.868.0394
E-mail: nykol@shaw.ca

      

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In This Issue

Quick Links

Local Football Action

Need a football fix? Visit these links to find an upcoming game in your community.

Partner Links and Resources

Upcoming Events

BCCFA 9-Man Championships

Saturday, November 14th
The inaugural BC Community Football Association's 9-man provincial championships will be taking place on November 14th at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, BC. Championship day will feature teams in three divisions (Peewee, Jr. Bantam and Bantam) vying for the opportunity to be crowned champions in 9-man football. The Peewee championship kicks off at 11:00 am, followed by the Jr. Bantam championship at 1:30pm and the Bantam championship at 4:00pm. Tickets are available at the gate on game day. For more information, visit the BCCFA website. 

CJFL Canadian Bowl

Saturday, November 14th 
The Canadian Junior Football League National Championship Game will be hosted in the province of British Columbia. This year's final will pit the undefeated Vancouver Island Raiders of the British Columbia Football Conference versus the Edmonton Wildcats of the Prairie Football Conference. For more information on the Canadian Bowl, visit the VI Raiders website or the CJFL website. Kickoff is 1:00pm at Caledonia Park in Nanaimo.

Subway Bowl All-Star Awards Banquet

Wednesday, December 2nd
Three nights prior to the Subway Bowl, BC High School Football will honour the best of the best in the 2009 season at the Subway Bowl All-Star Awards Banquet. The event will take place at the Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre in Burnaby, BC (located beside the Grand Villa Casino). Tickets are just $60 each (or table of 10 for $600) and can be purchased by contacting Lui Garcea (778.990.9299 or lgarcea@telus.net) or Mark Nykolaichuk (604.868.0394 or nykol@shaw.ca). For more information, visit the BC High School website. 

Subway Bowl

Saturday, December 5th 
The cream of the crop of BC High School Football will be crowned on December 5th at McLeod Stadium in Langley, BC. Championships for all divisions, ranging from Grade 8 to the showcase AAA Varsity levels, will be decided on this great day of football. Tickets are available at the gate on game day. For more information, visit the BC High School Football Association website. 

BCCFA 12-Man Championships

Sunday, December 6th
The BC Community Football Association celebrates the 42nd edition of their showcase 12-man provincial championships on December 6th at McLeod Stadium in Langley, BC. Champions in five divisions will be decided. The Atom championship kicks off the day at 9:00am followed by the Peewee at 11:00am, the Jr. Bantam at 1:00pm, the Bantam at 3:30pm, and the Midget at 6:00pm. Tickets are available at the gate on game day. For more information, visit the BCCFA website.

If you have an upcoming event that you would like to promote on Football BC's website and in our newsletter, send them to:

communications@playfootball.bc.ca.

Please include the event name, location, date(s) and time(s), as well as a short description.

 

 

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