Hamilton Hurricanes OFC: The start of a new era for the Wentworth Panthers

Back on January 10, 2013, there was a Press Conference that announced the merging partnership between the Wentworth Panthers, the CJFL Hamilton Hurricanes, and the Hamilton Tiger Cats, where all of them would now form one united football organization for players 7-22 years of age.

The Organization has brought in Joe Sardo, who played at the University of Hawaii and served as the Defensive Coordinator for McMaster University. Joe is going to spear-head the “grass roots” minor development program. They also brought in certified NCCP coaching Instructor Rob Underhill, who had spent his previous 12 years with the Ironmen Organization, while mixing in coaching stints with Team Ontario and McMaster University, where he handled senior development.

Both Sardo and Underhill, along with many newly acquired coaches, staff, and executives, all share the same vision of bringing one true grass roots football program into the Greater Hamilton Area.

At the senior level, all three teams; Bantam, Junior, and Varsity have hopes for success in their inaugural year of play in the Ontario Football Conference (OFC). The OFC is a publicly operated league hosting 18 Teams across the province, and graduating names such as Will Finch (Western) Aram Eisho (MAC) and Brett Blasko (Calgary). The league offers three-down play at the Junior and Varsity levels and has currently expanded to add Guelph, Niagara, Brantford, North Halton and Vaughan. The new Hurricane-branded Hamilton team can also be added to that list, as they replace what was once the Wentworth Panthers.

The Hurricanes have been in full recruiting mode and have a lot to offer to young developing football players, coaches and volunteers, such as:

– Quality instruction and analysis from coaches with community, University and professional experience, which will better develop and prepare players for either CIS or CJFL football.

– One true system from top to bottom including; terminology, drills, techniques and systems. This will eliminate the confusion of multiple systems, allow players to play faster and with more confidence, and make the transition from level to level seamless and stress free.

– A true non-profit organization with complete transparency, playing in a public league, within the confines of Football Ontario and Football Canada – an organization which fully supports Select, Provincial, and National initiatives.

– A rewarding experience where players, coaches and staff are all treated with respect and where volunteers are truly valued and appreciated.

– A truly energetic and dynamic place to play where every year our teams will be competing for a Championship.

It is apparent that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to Hamilton Football and quite possibly a paradigm shift as well.

“I was very fortunate to have been given this opportunity,” said Underhill. “The vision of a comprehensive grass roots program from top to bottom was something I have been trying to achieve for years.”

Along with his wide range of experience, Coach Underhill brings an extremely talented coaching staff to the Hurricanes organization, including Assistant Head Coach Anthony Macaluso and Offensive Coordinator Rob Fuciarelli.

“It has been important to surround myself with exceptional people, which I have done, and I have an enormous amount of respect and confidence in my staff. I will now extend my family to include those of the Junior and Bantam staffs and I am excited about the possibilities,” added Underhill.

The Hurricanes are writing their own page in history – a “New Era” with a clean slate, tied into the successful tradition of the CJFL Hurricanes and CFL Tiger Cats. There will be a lot of work ahead of us and many challenges to overcome. The Hurricanes are always looking to add players, coaches and volunteers to an already strong group.

“I understand the that the Hurricanes are not for everybody,” said Underhill. “Not everyone can compete at our level or maintain our higher standards of competition and development, but what we do offer is an opportunity – an opportunity to compete, an opportunity to develop, and an opportunity to be successful.”

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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