Football Canada unveils U18 national team for 2017 series against U.S.

Canada to face U.S. in Orlando

Photo credit: USA Football

Today, Football Canada unveiled its preliminary under-18 national team which will face off against their U.S. counterparts as part of the inaugural North American Championship on January 28, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. The series of games between USA Football and Football Canada features under-18 and under-19 national team competition.

The North American Championship builds on the rich rivalry developed between the two national teams as Canada and the U.S. have met in each of the first four gold medal games at the IFAF U19 (Junior) World Championships. Canada evened up its junior world’s gold medal game record, at two, following a 24-6 victory in China. In 2012, Canada defeated Team USA 23-17 to capture its first gold in Austin, Texas.

The U.S. and Canada’s national teams began playing an annual series of games in 2014. This upcoming January will mark the first time that the winter series of games between the two North American national teams is held outside of the International Bowl series. The International Bowl was established in 2010 as a USA versus the World game, played around NCAA national signing day.

“The series has grown tremendously and we’re excited to head to the state of Florida, where the first International Bowl game was held in 2010, and showcase our national team rivalry,” said Shannon Donovan, executive director, Football Canada.

The 40 players invited to the under-18 national team were selected from the 2016 under-18 national tackle football championship, the Football Canada Cup, held July 9-15 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Joining the players named today in Orlando is the Canada’s under-19 national team, which includes the 2016 Football Canada Cup all-star roster.

The under-18 national team will be led by coaches selected from the eight participating provincial teams that competed at the 2016 Football Canada Cup. Marco Iadeluca, head coach of Quebec’s 2016 gold medal winning Canada Cup entry, will serve the same role with the under-18 national team. The full coaching staff will be announced in the coming weeks.

Arlington, Texas will play host to the 2017 International Bowl series featuring action between provincial teams from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario who will face U.S. competition.

Players invited to Canada’s under-18 national team

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