BY IAN THORPE
South of the border, the NFL season culminated this past Sunday with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. For Football Nanaimo, however, excitement is just starting to build for the start of the spring season.
Actually, NMFA operates two separate leagues each calendar year: a fall and a spring season of play. Despite the challenges of COVID, last fall’s season was a very successful one for the local organization, highlighted by an Island Championship title captured by the Nanaimo Seahawks junior bantam squad led by head coach Shawn Bishop, offensive coordinator Curtis Strutt and defensive coordinator Troy Lovasz.
Players from that team, as well as from the fall peewee and bantam teams, were recognized at Football Nanaimo’s annual AGM held last month. From the junior bantam crew, Carter Keswick was named as most valuable player. Best lineman awards were given to Connor Ward-Morgan and Dominic McRae, best defence awards to Deon Hovind and Jesse Rosteski and best offence awards to Bradyn Lombardi and Dylan Spaven. Most improved player was Caelen Godbout, most sportsmanlike was Elijah Johnstone and the team leadership award went to Nathan Fraser.
Peewee awards saw Lucas Krampl chosen as MVP. Best lineman was James Coco, best offensive player was Jacob Gregory and best defensive player was Joaquin Aguilera. Kaden Krampl was most improved, Gage Vanderplas most sportsmanlike and Carter Hall received the leadership award. Peewee head coach Geoffrey Hall was honoured as coach of the year.
From the bantam age group, Tristen Goheen was named as most valuable player. Owen Mitchell was best lineman, Tristan Aguilera was best defensive player and Ramir Guinn best offensive player. Most improved award went to James Stuart, most sportsmanlike to Jai Koonmee and the leadership award to Christofer Ciccone.
The annual general meeting also featured the election of officers for the coming year. Returning as president of Football Nanaimo for 2022 is Dan Fraser, along with vice-president Wanda Currie. Carlie Krampl is treasurer and was also named as board member of the year for her work in 2021. Kailee Mann returns as Football Nanaimo secretary, Troy Lovasz will look after equipment and Derrick Hovind will oversee the home field at Pioneer Park. Natalie Brown will coordinate fundraising and Shelley Rogers the concession. Other directors are Shawn Bishop, Jackie Goheen, Chris Weinrauch, Jeff Brown and Audrey Bouvet.
Also on the executive is Priscilla Wilson as league registrar and she is busy these days as spring tackle football registration is now open through the organization’s website www.footballnanaimo.ca. The spring season will run from Feb. 28 until the end of June for ages 8-14, with all gear provided except cleats and gloves. Cost is just $100 for the atom (ages 8-10) level, $120 for the peewee (ages 11-12) division and $120 for junior bantams (ages 13-14). Registration numbers are up, reflecting the success of the local organization, but players can still sign up. A second atom and peewee team have already been added. Spring head coach for junior bantams will be Ash Slowley, peewee coaches are Ethan Schulz and Geoffrey Hall and atom coaches will be Jon Rainey and Sean Caul. For all teams, twice-weekly practices will be held on weeknights beginning March 1. Those, as well as all home games, will be at May Bennett Pioneer Park.
Also of note is a quarterback camp for ages 8-14 to be held at Pioneer on March 6 from 1-3 p.m. Those attending don’t have to be a quarterback – just willing to learn, have fun and be coachable. Fee is $100, with registration details on the website.
So the NFL may have wrapped up, but there’s plenty of entertaining minor football action on the horizon for local fans.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
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