Football Canada is proud to unveil the 35 first Junior National Team players, representing Canada at the 2012 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) U-19 World Championship to be held June 28 – July 8 in Austin, Texas.

“On behalf of the coaching staff, I would like to thank all those players who tried-out for Team Canada at this year’s regional selection camps held in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia,” said Head Coach, Noel Thorpe.

“Over 400 players from across the country participated in the camps, contributing to the popularity and development of this elite program in Canada. We are excited to take the final roster of 45 players to compete at this year’s IFAF U-19 World Championship in Austin, TX, and wish those that did not make the team the best in their football endeavors.”

Team Canada is looking to improve upon a silver medal finish at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio. Canadian 2009 Junior National Team alumni include Bryron Perez-Archambault (Université de Montréal), Jérémi Doyon-Roch (Université de Sherbrooke), Steven Lumbala (University of Calgary), Brandon Bridge, Jake Thomas (Acadia University) and Kirby Fabien (University of Calgary).

“Players like Jerome Messam, Samuel Giguère, Vaughn Martin, and Christopher Milo have come through Football Canada’s developmental program and Team Canada, represented our country on an international stage and have since gone on to have successful collegiate and professional careers,” added Noel Thorpe.

Canada’s coaching staff includes Noel Thorpe (Head Coach), Warren Craney (Defensive Coordinator), Pat Boies (Offensive Coordinator), Gilles Lezi (Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach), Michael Faulds (Quarterbacks), Brian Guebert (Defensive Line), Kamau Peterson (Receivers), Devin Murphy (Defensive Backs), Alain Mainguy (Offensive Line) and Elliott Richardson (Strength and Conditioning Coach).