All posts by Meghann Tanner
Volunteer Highlight – Cari Cari
Volunteer Highlight – Justin Swedish
2016 National Volunteer Week
The Past Commissioners Award is awarded annually to “an outstanding young man playing football for a CJFL team as well as contributing to his community”. While this award has been dominated by the BC teams in the past, the last two years have seen it come home to the PFC – and both to Wildcats. In 2014 Keaton Hoddinott was the recipient, followed in 2015 by Brandon Quach.
Part of our mandate as a team is to foster a spirit of philanthropy and giving back. While our on-field goals remain the priority, we also recognize the importance of helping our athletes grow off the field as well. By providing them the opportunity to volunteer with various organizations and service clubs throughout our city, we are both giving back to the community that our team calls home, as well as helping our athletes build their resumes and develop a passion for helping others.
In 2013, we officially launched our “In The Community” program as a trial, and have watched as our athletes have taken the initiative, embraced it and made it a part of their Wildcat experience. Over the next few days we will be celebrating National Volunteer Week by highlighting a few players who have been our biggest ambassadors “In The Community”.
Canadian Junior Football League Major Announcement
The Canadian Junior Football League is proud to announce the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) will rejoin as full members in 2017.
This season the OFC will play at the Provincial level as all seven teams will compete for the Conference championship. For the 2017 season, the OFC will return and compete in the Canadian Bowl Championship Series strengthening the CJFL’s national brand.
“I think it`s important,” says CJFL Commissioner Jim Pankovich. “We have great partners with the BC Football Conference (BCFC) and Prairie Football Conference (PFC) and not having Ontario for those couple of years I think really took the focus away from the national part of what we were doing. Having them back really strengthens the brand of football that we are playing and we`re looking forward to them coming back for full playing status.”
For the past two seasons the OFC raised their age limit to allow players aged 23 and 24 to be added to their roster and given full playing status. The age increase eliminated OFC teams to compete at the national level of the CJFL who gives eligibility to players aged 18-22. This season the OFC will allow 23 year olds to continue to play, before dropping back within the CJFL rules in 2017.
“The Ontario Football Conference, particularly the players and coaches are very excited to be returning to the CJFL and once again becoming eligible to compete for the Canadian Bowl in 2017,” says OFC President Darren Cocchetto. “Returning to the CJFL allows the OFC teams to once again be part of a league with national boundaries and competing for something more than a provincial championship.”
The Windsor AKO Fratmen have been the class of the OFC for the past three seasons, winning three straight Conference championships. They will strive for their fourth straight when the OFC kicks off in July.
Both the BCFC and PFC will kick-off their seasons in August culminating with the 2016 Canadian Bowl hosted in the champion of the BCFC.
Source: Canadian Junior Football League
Olthuis will join Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame
Brian Olthuis, longtime educator, administrator, coach, sportsman and athlete, will take his place in the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame.
Olthuis moved to Kamloops from Edmonton in 1971 to take a teaching position. He spent two years at Valleyview secondary, nine years at John Peterson and 23 years at Kamloops secondary. His passion for football, developed in his playing days with the Edmonton Junior Wildcats and later the University of Alberta Golden Bears, was his calling card in a city that was embarking on the golden years of football.
He coached the JP Adanacs to five city junior high titles and took over the head coaching duties of the Kam High Red Devils from the iconic Rick Nykorack.
The Red Devils won B.C. High School AAA Football Championships in 1981 and 1983 under Nykorack. When Kam High won provincial championships under Olthuis in 1985, 1986 and 1990, the legend of the Red Devils’ accomplishments were written into B.C. High School football history, with an Interior team having won five titles in a 10-year span.
Olthuis credits coaches like Nykorack and Digger McLeod, who set the standard, and the support of athletic director Jack Buckham, each of whom have been voted into the KSHF. He can’t say enough about assistant coaches Gerry Bond and Ron Pauwels, who were at his side every step of the way. He also lauds the athletes who wore the red and black. Some, like Brad Yamaoka, went on to play pro. Many didn’t, but all had the common bond of pride for the school and city.
Olthuis and his wife, Rendy, raised their family (Raimey, Brent and Duncan) in Kamloops. They were all athletically active. When it came to football, Olthuis served on several steering committees in leadership roles. He rolled up his sleeves to volunteer with the Kamloops Sports Council, the junior Kamloops Broncos and the KSHF. He has also been actively involved in senior sports such as hockey and slo-pitch.
The individuals joining Olthuis in the Hall this year are Vic Bifano, Bob Smillie and Norio Sakaki, while the Sgt. O’Flaherty’s women’s broomball squad will enter in the team category.
Source: Kamloops This Week
3rd Annual Alumni Night
The Edmonton Wildcats are hosting our 3rd Annual Alumni Night on Saturday, April 16th at On The Rocks (11740 Jasper Avenue) at 7pm!
Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds go directly into scholarships for the current team. Included with a ticket is no line and no cover and a free drink before 10pm.
Tickets will be sold at the following times and locations:
Sunday, March 13 4-5pm @ Commonwealth Field House
Tuesday, March 22 8-9pm@ BDC (236 Mayfield Common)
Thursday, April 7 6:30-7:30pm @ Wildcats Clubhouse
If you would like to buy tickets, but these dates don’t work for you, contact Meghann Tanner (communications@edmontonwildcats.com / 780-919-8624) or Ryan Branting (alumni@edmontonwildcats.com) to arrange to get tickets!
We hope to see you there!
2016 Spring Camp Registration
Spring Camp will be held May 5-8 in Rundle Park. There is no cost to attend camp, however if you wish to purchase a Wildcats Training Camp T-Shirt and Shorts, it is $40. The full Spring Camp schedule will be announced closer to camp.
To Register:
Returning Players Register Here
New Recruits Register Here
Alumnus Neil King signed to Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos have signed defensive back Neil King.
King was originally selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2013 CFL Draft. He has since recorded 15 tackles and one quarterback sack in 41 career games.
Prior to entering the league, he played four seasons at Saint Mary’s University (2009-12). King registered 75 tackles and two interceptions as a Husky. In 2011 and 2012, he earned AUS All-Star honours and participated in the 2012 East-West Bowl as a member of the East Team.
The Edmonton native also played five seasons with the Edmonton Wildcats Junior Football Club (2006-10). He was a team captain and a member of the Leadership Committee.
He is the younger brother of Eskimos long snapper Ryan King.
Source: Edmonton Eskimos
Head Equipment Manager Opening
HEAD EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat
The Edmonton Wildcats are seeking a Head Equipment Manager to oversee all club athletic equipment.
The Edmonton Wildcats are members of the Prairie Football Conference in the Canadian Junior Football League. Based at our home field at Rundle Park in Edmonton, we operate year round with our active playing season from the end of July to October. Our storied history spans 70 years and we are proud members of our community.
Reporting directly to the General Manager (who in turn reports to the volunteer Board of Directors), you will be responsible for all aspects of the team’s athletic equipment. With approximately 70 players on our active roster, the Head Equipment Manager is a vital component of our team.
Responsibilities
• Manage inventory and assist in creating equipment budgets; ensure adherence to approved budget amounts
• Order, maintain, collect, and issue equipment
• Ensure cleanliness of equipment room/laundry at all times and oversee all operations in the equipment room for a safe and sanitary environment
• Fit athletes with protective gear to manufacturer and government standards
• Ensure equipment support by attending all practices (or designating an approved assistant) throughout the season including special camps
• Attend all games, both home and on the road, and ensure that all equipment not brought to the games by players is brought, set up, collected, and returned to the Wildcats clubhouse after the game
• Liaise with, develop, and maintain positive working relationships with equipment vendors
• Interact with players, coaches, support staff, and the board of directors on a regular basis
• Ensure proper appearance of all athletes with regards to on field equipment
Qualifications
• Extensive knowledge of football equipment
• Superior communication, organizational, and planning skills.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. +
• Valid driver’s license
• Previous work or volunteer experience in a non-profit society, specifically in junior football, is an asset.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and troubleshoot issues with a quick solution in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Model the Wildcat values of teamwork, pride, trust, and integrity.
The ideal Head Equipment Manager is passionate about both football and the athletes who endeavor to play the game at our level. The successful candidate will receive an honorarium for their efforts, however, as a non-profit society, we rely heavily on the commitment of our core group of volunteers, of which the Head Equipment Manager is key.
To explore this exciting opportunity please forward your resume and a cover letter to General Manager, Meghann Tanner at admin@edmontonwildcats.com. Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.
“The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends.”