Nunavik youths aged 13 to 17 take part in pilot program, with 4 selected to attend Alouettes game in Montreal
Youths aged 14 to 17 participate in the first Nunavik Future Flag Stars Clinic on Sept. 10 at the Forum in Kuujjuaq. (Photo courtesy of KRG)
Dominique Gené
The Canadian Football League has teamed up with Kativik Regional Government to bring the sport to Nunavik youths as part of its Truth and Reconciliation initiatives this fall.
The partnership launched the Nunavik Future Flag Stars Clinic, a flag football youth clinic in Kuujjuaq that ran on Sept. 10.
The program was announced Sept. 18 in a joint news release from the CFL and KRG.
Mary Arngaq, vice-chairperson of Kativik Regional Government, said the partnership is a “fantastic initiative.”
“Football requires confidence, discipline and focus. These qualities together produce leadership. Finding new and exciting ways to build leadership qualities in our youth is a key priority,” Arngaq said in the release.
Former Montreal Alouettes players Davis Sanchez and Bruno Heppell led the clinic, working on building new skills with youths between the ages of 13 and 17, said Rocio Valencia, communications officer for Kativik Regional Government, in an interview.
Out of 24 participants in the clinic, four were chosen as ambassadors and are scheduled to attend an Alouettes home game in Montreal on Friday when they host the Calgary Stampeders.
No further clinics are scheduled yet but Valencia said there are hopes to extend the program across the region.
“We hope that in the future these ambassadors will advocate for the positive values that are transmitted through the sport,” Valencia said.