Canadian Champs Enjoy CFL Send Off

The Tomken Middle School Tigers got a special send off from the CFL Toronto Argonauts ahead of their trip to Beijing, China to represent Canada in the NFL Flag Football World Championship.

After accepting a special invitation to watch their professional heroes practice, the Tomken players received a surprise motivational speech from Argos Coach Pinball Clemons, were introduced to the entire Argos team, and were interviewed by local television and newspaper reporters.

“Coach Clemons even invited the team into the Argos huddle, which judging by the looks on their faces was very special,” said Mike Danischewsky, an NFL Canada staff member and observer at the practice. “The kids are now even more motivated to represent Canada in Beijing, and to show the world what Canadian football is all about.”

Coach Clemons even took time to lead the Tigers through some drills.

The Tigers qualified for the 2005 NFL Flag Football World Championships by defeating teams from across the country at last year’s Grey Cup in Regina.

The Mississauga, Ontario team will join squads from USA, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, and Thailand (all made up of 12 to 14 year-olds) at the sixth annual event.

Once the teams enjoy a day of sightseeing, the tournament will kick off on Thursday, August 18. The competition will be spread over three consecutive days; a round robin format is played by two groups of five teams to determine the four semi finalists and ultimately the two teams that will play for the world title.

The event is the highlight of the NFL Flag Football season and motivates boys and girls to participate in a fun and safe sport. "One of the reasons flag football remains our core grassroots initiative is because it encourages boys and girls to learn football fundamentals," said NFL Senior Director of Youth Football Cedric Jones. "Boys and girls are equal members of their flag football team and last year a co-ed team from Canada finished third in the championship.

"We are very excited to hold the World Championship in Beijing, where the NFL's flag football program is in its infancy but is already very popular."

Previous tournaments have been held in Toronto, Berlin, Mexico City, Tokyo and Vancouver.