Wolfville, NS to host 2017 Football Canada Cup

U18 national tournament returns to Raymond Field for first time since 2010

Photo credit: James Hajjar

Wolfville, Nova Scotia will host eight provincial teams competing at Acadia University’s Raymond Field for the under-18 tackle football national championship, the Football Canada Cup, from July 8-14, 2017.

BC rejoins field of eight

The 2017 event marks the return of British Columbia which last competed in the tournament in 2011. BC joins a field of provincial teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and host Nova Scotia.

Top pre-university Canadian football showcase

The Football Canada Cup is the premier pre-university football tournament in Canada which annually showcases the top under-18 football players from across the country.

Quotes

“Football Nova Scotia is looking forward to hosting the Canada Cup in 2017 as we celebrate Canada’s 150 anniversary.  Our provincial programs have grown significantly since the last time we hosted in 2010.  Bringing this event back to Nova Scotia gives our athletes an opportunity to play against the best from across the country in front of family, friends and the community.  The Canada Cup is an excellent event which will showcase the sport and help us grow football within the valley and across the province.”

– Karen Ouellette, Executive Director, Football Nova Scotia

“This year the Football Canada Cup comes full-circle, returning to Wolfville, the site of the first under-18 event back in 2010. The tournament has grown so much over the past six years. We look forward to watching the future university, junior, national team as well as NFL and CFL players on display at Raymond Field this July.”

– Shannon Donovan, Executive Director, Football Canada

“The quality of football across Canada continues to grow and the Canada Cup is a great way to harness and showcase this growth. The 2017 edition is shaping up to be a great event as BC rejoins the tournament, uniting the country from east to west. They were a top three team in both 2010 and 2011 so their entrance raises the level of play and strengthens the tournament as a whole.”

– Kim Wudrick, President, Football Canada

“The Football Canada Cup is a really exciting event because it allows next-level coaches and recruiters as well as players themselves the chance to see how the best players from across the country compare as they compete against one another. The experience of playing in the tournament also gives players a taste of how post-secondary teams like those at the junior or university level prepare for competition with an extended and intensive training camp. The Canada Cup also gives them experience playing in a tournament-style football competition. These elements combine to make the Football Canada Cup an integral part of the identification process for Canada’s national teams program as the top players from the tournament are selected to join the high-performance program as they prepare and play against Team USA. From this pool of identified athletes, the Junior National Team will be chosen to represent Canada at the IFAF U19 World Championship in 2018.”

– Steve Sumarah, Junior National Team Head Coach

Tournament Format

The event features three game days within a seven-day span culminating with the 12 and final game between two undefeated teams who battle for the title of national champion.

Quebec looks to three-peat

Quebec opens the tournament as the two-time defending champions but will face a tough task of repeating in 2017. Quebec defeated Saskatchewan 25-8 in last year’s final, while 2014 gold medalist Ontario defeated Alberta 38-14 in the 2016 bronze medal game.

Showcase for national team and next level coaches

In addition to representing their provinces, participating players do not just showcase their talent for junior, CÉGEP and university coaches from across Canada but the event also serves as an identification opportunity for the national team. Starting in 2013, the top-40 players from the Canada Cup have been invited to represent Canada in an annual series against USA Football. On January 28, the top 40 players from the 2016 Canada Cup will play for Canada’s U19 national team against the U.S. at the inaugural North American Championship in Orlando, while an additional 40 players from last year’s Canada Cup will represent Canada in the U18 game. The North American Championship continues the tradition between Canada and the U.S. that began at the International Bowl series in Texas.

Tournament alumni

The tournament boasts many notable alumni including:

• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (KC Chiefs) – QC U19, 2009
• David Foucault (NFL free agent) – QC U19, 2007
• Ben Heenan (former Saskatchewan Roughrider) – SK U19, 2008
• Israel Idonije (retired NFL player) – MB U19, 1998
• Kirby Fabien (current BC Lion) – S. AB U17, 2007
• Andy Fantuz (current Hamilton Tiger-Cat) – ON U19, 2002
• Dan McCullough (retired CFL player) – NB U19, 2001 & 2002
• Dan Federkeil (Calgary Stampeders) – AB U19, 2001
• Antony Auclair (top CFL prospect, Laval) – QC U18, 2010
• Noah Picton (2016 Hec Crighton winner, Regina) – SK U18, 2011 & 2012
• DJ Lalama (2016 U Sports top defensive player, Manitoba) – MB U17, 2009 & U18, 2010

Recent Rookie of the Year Award Winners:

• Mathieu Betts (2015, Laval) – QC U18, 2011 & 2012
• Hugo Richard (2014, Laval) – QC U18, 2011
• Daniel Vandervoort (2013, McMaster) – ON E. U18, 2011
• Shaquille Johnson (2012, McGill) – ON W. U17, 2008 & U18, 2010
• Tyler Varga (2011, Western) – ON W. U18, 2010
• Linden Gaydosh (2009, Calgary) – N. AB U17, 2007

History

The Football Canada Cup was established in 1995 as an under-19 national tackle football championship with the addition of the under-17 championship, created in 2004. In accordance with the Long-Term Athlete Development Model and growth of football across the country, in 2010 the championship shifted its focus to a new under-18 age category to support the player development that is taking place within the provinces. The 2010 national under-18 event was the first time in the event’s history that seven provinces were represented at one time in one division.

More about the Canada Cup

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