OVFL: JV Spears REC Osinga looking for fourth championship visit

Chase Osinga is a familiar face among the Niagara Spears junior varsity team (Ontario Varsity Football League) and his veteran presence is sure to have an impact throughout the season.

Osinga, who stands at 6’2, 185 pounds has been playing the sport with Niagara Minor Football for four years and he is starting his fourth year with the Spears junior varsity team.

“I started playing football when I was encouraged by some school friends to come out. I joined half way through the season and have played ever since,” he said.

“The Spears represents some of the best coaching and talent in the Niagara region and the province. It was a natural choice for me to improve my skill,” he added.

Throughout his career, Osinga has been voted onto several OVFL all-star teams. He won the Offensive Player of the Game and the Overall Player of the Game in the OVFL’s Fall Bantam Championship Final. He has also received several awards at the high school level.

For the young slotback, the highlight of last season was when his team made it to the provincial championships. Although they fell short to the Ottawa Myers Riders, Osinga said, “Not too many players get to say they have been in a championship game and I have been in three of them in my OVFL career so far.”

While he is part of the Class of 2018, Osinga has been in contact with different Canadian universities. Although, he said, being in grade 10 it is still too early to be acting on them. He added that he anticipates that he will start looking into universities next year.

Osinga said his goal is to play university football in either the United States or Canada.

“I feel both opportunities would help me with getting a great education,” he added.

Wherever he may end up, Osinga knows he has his NMF and Spears coaches to thank.

“They have given me some great coaching over the years and pushed me to always improve,” he said. “Football is fun for me because of the experience I have received.”

Osinga also gives praise to his high school offensive coordinator, Gary Spero.

“He has helped me with my conditioning and speed over the winter and is also working with me on my skills and thought patterns through his university experiences,” he said.

The player added that he needs to continue to work on his route running so that he can get cleaner cuts. He also wants to work on his downfield blocking, which he said is, “not as easy as it looks, that’s for sure.”

During the winter, Osinga can be found in the gym multiple times a week. He also plays several high school sports, such as track.

During the spring, he practices three to four times a week with the Spears. He was a member of Team West of the Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) and he spent time practicing with them this past April. Over the summer, he will continue playing with the Spears and working on his conditioning in preparation for the high school season.

While keeping active is important, Osinga said he is also trying to have a strong finish to the school year.

With the OVFL season underway, the goal is to win it all.

“Personally, I want to contribute in any way the coaches need me too. I also want to use the game experience to continue to improve on my route running and ball concentration,” he said.

“Football is the ultimate team sport and I am one of a group of great athletes on the Spears teams (OVFL and Ontario Minor Football League).  “Every player and coach has their strengths that will play a part in the success of the season.”