OTTAWA - Football Canada is proud to announce Team Canada’s 45-man roster for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior Men’s World Championship to be played July 8- 16 in Austria. The final roster is comprised of players from coast-to-coast, including 2 players from New Brunswick, 9 from Quebec, 24 from Ontario, 5 from Saskatchewan, 3 from Alberta and 2 from British Columbia.
Team Canada’s newest additions include receiver Jedd Gardner, quarterback Donnie Marshall, running back Matt Walter and offensive linemen Josh Buttrill, Justin Glover and Jason Meideros.
Matt Walter was added to Team Canada to replace his injured Calgary Dinos teammate Anthony Woodson. Walter, a 5th round CFL draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders in 2011 is a three-time Canada West [conference] all-star and two-time Canada West rushing leader.
Reed Alexander Blog
Canada’s offensive line added tremendous depth to an already impressive front five. Justin Glover, a two-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) first-team all-Canadian headlines the new additions. Glover who finished his fifth year at McMaster University attended Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp along with Josh Buttrill who is distinguished in his own right after being named a first-team OUA all-star in 2010 and second-team all-star in 2009. Glover’s teammate at McMaster-- Jason Meideros displayed his versatility; typically a tackle at Mac played guard at the 2011 edition of the East-West Bowl.
Donnie Marshall adds depth and experience to Canada’s quarterbacks, reuniting on the National Team with his mentor Michael Faulds. Donnie recently helped the Mustangs secure a 2010 Yates Cup in Ottawa. In eight regular season games in 2010, Donnie completed 54.5% of his passes for 1,470 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Team Canada has been holding training camp consisting of two-a-days, June 24- July 2 at The University of Western Ontario as they prepare to proudly don the maple leaf. The coaching staff has been impressed with the level of talent and commitment displayed by the players.
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CFL free agent and former Regina Rams DB Joel Lipinski, who played nine games in 2009 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, has been added to Team Canada's Senior National Team.
He was an undrafted rookie who recorded one defensive tackle and five special teams tackles. Prior to his professional career, Lipinski played for the Rams from 2004 Canada West All-Star and Second Team All defensive back in ‘05 and ’06 and also attended Sai Sport (AUS) All-Star in 2008.
On May 31st, Football Canada added Montreal Alouettes 2011 CFL Draft pick Reed Alexander, a member of the Calgary Dinos program, along with seven others to the Senior Men’s National Team.
The coaching staff, led by Larry Haylor, looks to build a roster for the 2011 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior Men’s World Championships, to be held July 8-16 in Austria.
Offensive linemen Matt Norman, Reed Alexander and Daniel Bederman were added. Alexander is a University of Calgary offensive lineman who was selected in the 4th round of the most recent (2011) CFL draft, 31st overall by the Montreal Alouettes.
Joshua Sacobie, a quarterback from Fredericton, NB, joins Michael Faulds as the team’s pivots. The team’s receiving core has also been strengthened with the addition of two Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks - Shamawd Chambers and Dante Luciani. Rounding out the additions are receiver/ running back, Jahmeek Murray and defensive back, Julien Hamel.
A group of 50 players will be invited to the final training camp in London, ON, June 24- July 2. The coaching staff will finalize a 45-man roster which Football Canada will send to compete at the IFAF Senior Men’s World Championship in Austria, July 8-16.
Name Pos. Hometown
Reed Alexander OL Medicine Hat, AB
Daniel Bederman OL Toronto, ON
Shamawd Chambers REC Markham, ON
Julien Hamel DB Boucherville, QC
Dante Luciani REC Oakville, ON
Jahmeek Murray REC/ RB Mississauga, ON
Matt Norman OL Montreal, QC
Joshua Sacobie QB Fredericton, NB
ABOUT FOOTBALL CANADA
Established in 1884, Football Canada is the national governing body of amateur football in Canada and a proud member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Working closely with the provincial football associations, we develop programs and resources for players, coaches and officials in the three disciplines of Tackle, Flag and Touch Football. Football Canada’s vision statement is “from playground to stadium” where players can participate in the game of football throughout a lifetime recreationally, competitively and internationally.
ABOUT FOOTBALL CANADA’S NATIONAL TEAMS
Football Canada has a previous track record of success, winning a pair of silver medals at both the 2009 Junior Men’s and 2010 Senior Women’s International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships. Our Men’s and Women’s Senior Flag National Teams also have a successful track record winning multiple medals including a Women’s gold at the 2010 IFAF Flag World Championships as well as a Men’s gold and Women’s silver at the 2008 World Championships.
This summer marks Football Canada’s first entry into the fourth International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior Men’s World Championship, slated for July 8-16 in Austria. The 2011 National Team coaching staff is led by former University of Western Ontario Mustangs Head Coach Larry Haylor, Defensive Coordinator Blake Nill (University of Calgary) and Offensive Coordinator Greg Marshall (Western). The coaching staff is rounded out by Brian Towriss (University of Saskatchewan), Jeff Cummins (Acadia University), Steve Sumarah (Saint Mary’s University) and Pat Tracey (Queen’s University).
ABOUT IFAF
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) unites 59 countries on five continents through a burgeoning international sport. With national football federations in existence for more than 75 years, IFAF was created in 1998 to organize and further develop the game through international cooperation and global competition. The IFAF office is located near Paris, France. For more information please visit www.ifaf.info.