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Top Ten Youth Coaches

Top Ten Youth Coaches

Ten finalists have been named for the 2007 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award, the NFL announced today. The award, now in its ninth year, 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 following 10 youth coaches (coaching organized teams of tackle football players under the age of 19) are this year’s finalists:

Dan Pasic H.B. Beal SS, London, ON nominated by Nick Pasic, WR/University of Western Ontario

Andrew Gouge Woodbridge College, Woodbridge, ON nominated by Colin Carswell, WR/Acadia

Jeff Green Chatham-Kent SS & Chatham-Kent Cougars (OVFL), Chatham, ON nominated by Derek Easter, WR/University of Western Ontario

Rob Sharpe Yorkton Regional HS, Yorkton, SK nominated by Alan Kyle/University of Regina

Mike Circelli Catholic Central High School, London, ON nominated by Adrian Kaiser, LB/University of Western Ontario

Bruce Haddow Hugh Boyd SS, Richmond, BC nominated by Andrew McMillan, LB/Acadia University

Curtis McNeil Sacred Heart Catholic HS, Stittsville, ON nominated by James Campbell, DB/ Queen’s University

John Jameson Riverview HS, Riverview, NB nominated by Mike Miller, DB/Acadia

Gerry Kwapisz Philemon Wright HS, Gatineau, QC nominated by Nicholas Intscher, LB/McGill University

Murray McDonald North Surrey SS, Surrey, BC nominated by Rhyss Esteban, DL/Acadia

CIS football players from across Canada submitted short essays recognizing the positive impact their former high school, community, or varsity coach had on young players. Players were asked to consider how their coach taught respect, safety, motivation, leadership and appreciation for the game of football when drafting their nominations.

Over the past nine years the program has contributed more than $100,000 in equipment to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the backbone of football in Canada.

“This award is not about wins and losses, it is about the positive impact Canadian coaches can have on young players,” said Jay Sweeney, Director of Events and Development at NFL Canada. “We define the youth coach of the year as someone who gives selflessly of his time and shares a love for football in his community.”

The winning coach will be selected by a panel of journalists from across Canada and NFL representatives. The winner and runners-up will be announced via press release on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 in Toronto.

$5,000 of new football equipment will be donated to the winning coach’s program. The winning coach will also receive a $1,000 The Home Depot gift card (for ‘football program related renovation projects’, such as field repair, fixing bleachers, painting a locker room, etc.). Project assistance will also be provided by local The Home Depot Associates through Team Depot.

Two runners-up schools will each receive $2,000 in equipment and $500 The Home Depot gift cards, and a total of $3,000 will be awarded to the CIS football programs currently attended by the successful nominating players. Each of the ten short-listed coaches will also receive $100 gift cards from The Home Depot.

The winning coach will also win a trip to Toronto as a guest of the NFL at this year’s Vanier Cup celebrations, and will be honoured at the CIS coaches luncheon on Thursday, November 22, 20007, and attend the the Vanier Cup, scheduled to be played the following day at Rogers Centre.

The NFL is a long-time supporter of the game of football at the grassroots level in Canada. Other grassroots initiatives include community ‘Flag League’ and Junior Player Development. For more information visit www.NFLCanada.com.