American-style football tryouts

Photos by Jonathon Brodie/London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie Around 50 boys from different parts of the province came out to City Wide Field Sunday night (Oct. 21) to try out for a Canadian team playing an American-style football game. “We’ve got (kids) from Toronto, Niagara falls, basically all over southwestern Ontario,” said Kevin Holmes, director of football operations for the Under-15 Team Canada headed to the 56^th Pop Warner Super Bowl at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Although called Team Canada, the squad is made up of Ontario athletes who will bus it to the December festivities. “Right now we’re focusing on kids in the southwest corner from the Golden Horseshoe basically and southwest Ontario,” Holmes said, adding other provinces might be entered in future Super Bowls. “Geographically we have the most kids playing football.” For now, Ontario represents the country with only the physically and mentally toughest players making the cut. At Sunday’s try out, London was well represented with about 15 Jr. Mustangs and several Forest City Thuderbirds attending. Last year, Canada made it to the final of the International Division, but lost in overtime to Panama. “Size doesn’t matter in football as much as knowing the game and having speed, determination and the mental toughness to play these games,” Holmes said. “The teams we play against you have to bring quality football players down there.  You think you’re playing Mexico, well they have some good, quality players.” [gallery link="file"] Find us on Facebook: London Community News