Courtesy: Falcons Football Club.
NFL Canada has unveiled this season’s three NFL Forward Pass recipients.
Falcons Football Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba, North Toronto Sentinels (formerly known as Vaughan Rebels Football Association) in Vaughan, Ontario and Sun Youth Hornets Football in Montreal, Quebec, will each receive a $25,000 donation from NFL Canada.
Returning for a second year, the NFL Forward Pass program is designed to support community football programs, remove barriers and make the sport more accessible. Coaches, players and community members were invited to nominate their program and share how the funding would help grow the game.
Each NFL Forward Pass grant recipient will also receive an on-the-ground visit from the NFL, including a tailgate, a cheque presentation and giveaways.
“For the second consecutive year, we received over 500 nominations from football programs across Canada,” Tara Chetkowski, NFL Canada director of marketing and fan engagement, said in a statement.
“The quality of this year’s submissions surpassed our expectations. Congratulations to all three programs, each making a meaningful impact in growing the game in their communities. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at upcoming community events later this year.”
The Falcons Football Club is a community-based tackle football program based in the Bonivital community of Winnipeg. The group is also home to a girls program in Sagkeeng First Nation, which is creating opportunities for young women despite resource and financial challenges.
Courtesy: Falcons Football Club.
“The program highlights critical gaps in access to properly fitted equipment for female athletes and the financial strain of long-distance travel, often paid for out of pocket by coaches,” the organization stated in their submission. “Despite challenges, the Falcons put vulnerable kids first in a way rarely seen in sport. This meaningful funding could unlock life-changing opportunities for these girls.”
North Toronto Sentinels (formerly Vaughan Rebels Football Association) is a youth football club that currently serves over 200 athletes with culturally diverse backgrounds and origins.
Courtesy: North Toronto Sentinels.
“Vaughan is a rapidly growing city, with many newcomers to Canada calling this city home, making it an ideal place for NFL Canda to invest in youth development and sports,” the organization shared in their submission. “This grant funding will enable the program to expand access, remove financial barriers, and offer even stronger athlete development programs, ensuring more young people have the chance to thrive on and off the field.”
Based in Montreal, the Sun Youth Hornets football program is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The program welcomes children, regardless of skill level or financial program, providing a secure environment to build confidence, discipline and life skills.
Courtesy: Sun Youth Hornets.
“The financial support will ensure continued access to quality equipment, training, camps and opportunities, protecting this vital space for children who rely on it most,” Sun Youth said in a statement.
For more information on the NFL Forward Pass initiative, visit nfl.com/ca/forwardpass