NS: Flames Lose NSSAF Appeal

The Sir John A MacDonald Flames must continue their season without their top defensive player and leader in the lineup.
The Flames lost their appeal with the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation (NSSAF) regarding the ineligibility of defensive tackle Shane Stonehouse. By upholding the ruling, the forfeit of two games will stand.
While understanding the rule and respecting the league`s final decision, Flames head coach Alan Wetmore is very disappointed with the outcome. Wetmore accepts responsibility for the mistake that led to the forfeit.

“Certainly coming from one of the guys that has put 6 hard years of work to try and create a quality of team that can compete with Citadel and the rest of the high ranking teams it is a frustrating conclusion,” replies Wetmore. “I understand that the rules are the rules but making the kids pay for an administrative error seems a little unfair.”

“I was hoping that the young man’s situation would win the hearts of the board but unfortunately it did not,” says Wetmore. “He is a great kid and a year of football would have been a great thing for him and his future.”

Stonehouse, who is one of the most sought after recruits in the Maritimes, was initially deemed eligible to play by the school`s administration.

“As a volunteer coach and someone who is not privy to the confidential student documents I have to rely on the “go” or “no” from the school,” adds Wetmore. “I just show up and put the players that I have in their place and hope that they can compete.”

Rumours circulated on Saturday September 24th that Stonehouse may be ineligible. That was the day before the key game against the Citadel Phoenix. As it turned out, the Sir John A MacDonald school administration made the eligibility error. The NSSAF were notified by the school in a letter on September 28th of the mistake. The day after, the NSSAF made their ruling.

Stonehouse is ineligible to play under NSSAF rules because he is considered to be in his fourth year of high school. Currently the rule is that players are only eligible for three years. Wetmore and the Flames challenged the eligibility rules and explained on what grounds they would seek to appeal the ruling.

“He took a semester (50 days) off of school in grade 11 to work and help with family finances,” explains Wetmore. “He is a member of our military, a fine young man who has an opportunity to enhance his grade point average, play CIS football and potentially receive a scholarship.”

“On these grounds we are appealing his ineligibility because we feel like he deserves this positive opportunity to get his life moving in a great direction.”

Wetmore can draw on his own experience of playing high school football. He played for four years and says that it was the most rewarding and sound decision he made. Furthermore, Wetmore has coached kids in the same position. He believes playing an extra year further enriches a player’s overall experience.

“Going to University to compete at football and make life decisions at 17 is challenging for many kids and I have had many kids over the years at Sir John A and St. Pat’s that were in school but were ineligible to play and they soon lost interest and dropped out of school,” comments Wetmore. “It also would make the football better around the league and personally I do not think that there is anything wrong with that.”

While Stonehouse is not playing on the field, Wetmore says that some positive things have taken place for the former Flames defensive tackle. One development is the school`s guidance department has reviewed Stonehouse`s student file much more closely. As a result, the department made changes to Stonehouse`s course load so he can have greater chances to get accepted to universities.

Additionally, Wetmore says universities should be actively pursuing Stonehouse. The Flames coaching staff continue to work with him. The former defensive tackle is even helping the team out off the field.

“We are still diligently working with the young man involved, he is helping us coach the 8 grade tens that start on our defense and we are dedicated to getting the young man into university and for him to play football,” says Wetmore. “We are working with him to ensure that he plays ball in the spring or summer.”

Even though the outcome of the appeal did not go in their favour, the team must carry on. Wetmore says the Flames are handling this challenge in the same way he normally deals with any situation.

“Either way we accept and respect the league conclusion and have moved on,” states Wetmore. “What is, is what is and nothing you can do about it.”

Wetmore says Flames coaching and management staff are committed to the football program because of their love for the game and the players.

With forfeiting two games they had previously won, Wetmore knows that the Flames have a steep mountain to climb just to get into the playoffs. The team`s mentality of losing these games is strong in spite of the unfortunate turn of events.

“The games we have lost officially are, in our minds, winnable and will look forward to playing those teams again,” adds Wetmore.

The Flames are focused on their goals. The team is confident that they can achieve them in spite of the adversity.

“We are trying to win out and make it into the division 1 playoffs and be the Cinderella story,” says Wetmore. “Even though we are young we still believe in ourselves and will do so until the end.”

“Everyday we approach the day like champions and in the end if we do not win a championship we still will believe that we are champions.”