Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
The Howard S. Billings (HSB) High School football team has been selected as one of three squads from across the country to receive a $25,000 grant from NFL Canada.
Over 500 teams applied for the NFL Forward Pass grants. The Blazers received the funding as part of an initiative by NFL Canada, which is an extension of the National Football League north of the border, to support the growth and development of the game among Canadian youth. The two other finalists are the North Winnipeg Nomads and the Peel Panthers from Brampton.
Jaclyn LaForce of NFL Canada says the funding program was designed to promote the game at the community level, including tackle and flag football, and to make the sport more accessible to families. She says the application submitted on behalf of the Blazers stood out because Howard S. Billings had been forced to shutter its football program nearly 50 years ago.
The Chateauguay-based school reinstated the program last year to a very warm community reception. “Their application really demonstrated that football is more than just a game,” says LaForce. “We recognize it is tough for parents and for schools to keep these programs running with the rising cost of everything. We want to eliminate some of those barriers where we can,” she explains.
Along with the grant, NFL Canada is planning on visiting the winning teams for a sponsored tailgate experience for the players and their communities.
Football is a familiar sport for New Frontiers School Board director general Mike Helm, who played at the university level before starting his career in education. He says the administration at HSB was looking for more opportunities to engage their students.
The program was restarted for older students at first because there is already a community-level junior football program in Chateauguay. “It made sense that we could offer the program without hurting the community team,” he explains, noting over 45 players joined this past season.
Helm says that over 1,000 fans took in the homecoming game, and around 500 people were regularly coming out to games throughout the season. “That is the powerful part of football!” he exclaims, while describing how the program has brought the community together. “The students are seeing and experiencing this sense of pride and respect. That is something that will last with them forever.”
Due to its popularity and the added financial support from NFL Canada, HSB is planning to expand its program and run a younger team next season as well. Helm says the school is anticipating that, with the two teams, at least 80 students will hit the field.
“They walk around with pride in their jerseys and once they are part of the team, they look out for one another,” says Helm, pointing out that this leads to more engagement and positive influences that can help orient students in a more positive direction.