Football New Brunswick announces volunteers of year and lifetime service winners

Photo: left to right Arliss Wilson, Eric Sabean, Brian Agnew, Peter Comeau, Steve Spear, James Fowler, Steve Drisdelle, Larry Harlow, and Travise Dow.

Football New Brunswick held their Volunteer Recognition and Awards Luncheon at the Moncton Football Associations Building adjacent to Rocky Stone Field in Moncton, NB on Sat April 16[SUP]th[/SUP]. FNB recognizes volunteers in 6 categories and also recognizes long term service with Lifetime Service Awards consisting of a FNB signet ring and a FNB pendant for their spouse.

The FNB Volunteer of the Year Peewee went to Steve Spear who despite having no football experience of his own agreed a few years back to help coach his son’s flag football team. Steve moved on to atom and eventually Peewee where he took his team to a provincial title and a berth in the Maritime Championship.

The FNB Volunteer of the Year Bantam went to Steve Drisdelle who is the coach of the Fredericton Bantam Black Kats, who during Steve’s tenure have amassed 4 Provincial and 2 Maritime Championships. In 2010 Steve was chosen by the NFL and Home Depot as one of the 10 Finalists for the 2010 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award.

The FNB Volunteer of the Year for Female Football went to Larry Harlow. A long time promoter of female football Larry coached the Canadian Nationals Women’s Team to a Silver Medal at the inaugural IFAF World Championship last June in Stockholm Sweden. He is also head coach of the Saint John Storm which won the Maritime Women’s Football League Championship for the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] time last summer.

Eric Sabean took the honors as Volunteer of the year for Adult Football in large part for his leadership of the Maritime Football League which has stabilized at 6 teams. Eric also acted as the adult rep and chairman of the FNB Tackle Committee.

Kelly Nichols captured the FNB Volunteer of the Year for Flag / Touch for his work in the Moncton Flag Football League. Under Kelly’s leadership the league has grown to 12 team playing from Sept to Dec and Jan – Apr for a total of 28 weeks a year.

The Gridiron Award is given to an individual who helps grow the sport of Football. This year’s winner was Travise Dow who started a Mosquito, Atom, Peewee and Bantam team in Amherst NS. Travise is the current president and head coach of the Wolfpack which began play in the 2010 season as a member of the Moncton Football Association.

Football New Brunswick also presented the Moncton Football Association with a cheque for $10 000 from the CFL Legacy Fund. This fund was set up by the CFL to promote football following their 2010 regular season game in Moncton. This funding was in recognition of their 2010 expansion with the addition of the teams from Amherst to the MFA. The MFA provided equipment for the start up.

Four deserving volunteers were presented with their Lifetime Service Awards. Brian Agnew was honored for his lifetime commitment as a coach at the minor, high school and provincial levels. Peter Comeau’s vast and varied football career as a player, coach, official and administrator earned him his Lifetime Service Award. James Fowler has been a Football Official for over thirty years at the minor, high school and University level with his pinnacle assignment being in last season’s Mitchell Bowl in chilly Alberta. Jeff Reath snagged the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] Lifetime Service Award for his endless work coaching at the minor, high school, and Junior levels. Jeff has been known to coach multiple teams during a given year.

For further information please contact Arliss Wilson – President of Football New Brunswick at [email protected]