Football Canada unveils U16 Western Canadian Team Coaching Staff in preparation for 2018 International Bowl

By Ameeta Vohra

Football Canada has announced its under-16 Western Canadian Team coaching staff that will lead a roster of 40 players at the 2018 International Bowl this upcoming January.

The national under-16 team will compete from January 11^th to 18^th in Arlington, Texas.  The conclusion of the International Bowl week will be a jamboree in which Canada will compete.

Last month, Football Canada announced a roster of 40 players who were also selected as all-stars for their notable performances at the 2017 Under-16 West Challenge which was held this past July in Lethbridge, Alberta.

The U18 coaching staff was selected from each of the four participating provincial teams that competed at the July tournament.

Head Coach of this squad is Darcy Park who led Team Alberta to an undefeated record on route to the gold medal at this past summer’s Under-16 West Challenge.  This will be a return to the International Bowl circuit for him as he was Head Coach of Team Alberta’s 2016 entry at the event.

Since 1999, Park has been part of the Edmonton Wildcats organization that competes in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).  Previously, Park was Special Teams Coordinator, Running Backs as well as Defensive Line Coach during his tenure with the team. After taking over Assistant Head Coaching duties in 2008, he became Head Coach of the Wildcats in 2011.

As a player, Park played for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Moreover, he suited up for the CIS’ Alberta Golden Bears.  While he was with JUCO team, New Mexico Military Institute, Park was selected as an All-American Honorable Mention in 1993.

Offensive Coordinator for this squad will be Jeff Ready, who makes his first appearance in Texas.  He will also serve as the team’s quarterback’s coach. During the Under-16 West Challenge, he guided Team Manitoba to a silver medal.

Currently, he is the Offensive Coordinator with the PFC’s Winnipeg Rifles.

Cody Ehrmann is the Under-16 squad’s Defensive Coordinator. Moreover, he will assume coaching duties for the secondary.  This past July, he was by Park’s side helping Alberta win the gold medal at the West Challenge.

Ehrmann returns back to the International Bowl as he was previously at the series in 2015 as a Receivers Coach and

During his career, he coached Team Alberta’s entry at the Football Canada Cup.  Ehrmann is Head Coach of the Henry Wise Wood Warriors that compete in the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA) of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA).

The following are the additional members of the coaching staff for the International Bowl:

Trent Schmuland (BC) – Defensive Line Coach

• First time heading to International Bowl
• Part of Team British Columbia’s coaching staff at the 2017 Under-16 West Challenge
• Defensive Coordinator for Kelowna Owls of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA)
• Involved with Kelowna Minor Football Association
• Selected as a CIS First Team All-Canadian during his time with the Calgary Dinos (1995)

Joseph Todd (SK) – Assistant Coach

• 2018 marks the first appearance at International Bowl
• Part of Team Saskatchewan’s coaching staff that led the squad to a bronze medal at the 2017 Under-16 Western Challenge

Jamie Boreham (BC) – Special Teams/Defensive Backs Coach

• First appearance at International Bowl
• Coached Team British Columbia at 2017 U16 Western Challenge
• Coaching stints include Special Teams Coordinator for CJFL’s Okanagan Sun and BCHSFA’s Notre Dame Juggler
• Played on several CFL teams including BC Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts in a nine-year period and set league record in 2010 for season kickoff average
• Selected as BCFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008
• Helped the Manitoba Bisons reach the Vanier Cup final in 2001 and was named a CIS All-Canadian that season

Drew Oleksewycz (MB) – Receivers Coach

• 2018 marks first time at International Bowl
• Coached Team Manitoba to silver medal at 2017 U16 Western Challenge

Tim McFadden (SK) – Offensive Line Coach

• First appearance at International Bowl
• Part of coaching staff that led Team Saskatchewan to bronze medal at 2017 U16 Western Challenge
• Running Backs Coach for Regina Intercollegiate Football League’s (RIFL) Campbell Collegiate Tartans
• Selected as Prairie Junior Football Conference (PJFC) Most Valuable Offensive Lineman during his career with the Regina Rams (1993)
• Involvement with Regina Minor Football

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