2013 Starbowl

VMFL Bantam and Integrated Midget Selections

The Vancouver Mainland Football League (VMFL) and Valley Community Football League's (VCFL) annual showcase of the best of BC gridiron talent, at the bantam and midget levels, kept an enthusiastic crowd at the edge of their seats at Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford, on Saturday April 20.

The first game of the day featured two VCFL integrated Junior Bantam teams battling for Valley bragging rights. An undersized, but definitely not undermanned, Team Blue eventually prevailed 32 - 6, over their Team Red counterparts.

This set the stage for a very competitive game between Bantam teams representing the VCFL and VMFL. The first half was a battle of defenses, with neither team able to assert themselves on offense, resulting in a 0 - 0 half-time score.

The VMFL offense put together some sustained drives in the third period, but a resolute VCFL defense managed to keep them at bay. The deadlock was finally broken in the fourth period, with VMFL scores on 35 yard and 29 yard field goals. The VMFL was forced to concede a safety with less than two minutes left in the game, but managed to withstand some final VCFL offensive assaults for a final 6 - 2 victory.

Players of the game for the VMFL were #9 Lucas Kirk (offense) and #57 Andrew Neufeld (defense), while #36 Tyrel Ogloff (offense) and # 32 Won Jae Boo (defense) were recognized from the VCFL squad.

Before the two integrated midget teams took the field for their matchup, a number of players were recognized for their performance during the 2012 season:

Defensive Lineman - Dusean Leblanc, Cowichan
Offensive Lineman - Damir Alihodzic, Coquitlam
Defensive Player - Peter Kilberg, White Rock
Offensive Player - Seye Akinsanmi, North Surrey
M.V.P. - Kalen McMurchy, Langley

Once play was underway, it was clear to the appreciative audience on-hand, that the drama and tension of the Bantam tilt wold be carried over to the Midget game. Team 2 (the Shockers) struck first, with a quarterback scamper into the end zone. Neither of the evenly-matched squads were able to establish dominance, but Team 1 was able to force a safety to add their first two points to the board.

A failed 34 yard field good attempt by Team 2 left the half time score at Team 2 - 7 and Team 1 - 2. Once play resumed, a failed 34 yard field goal attempt by Team 2 resulted in a rouge (1 point) and a score of 8 - 2. With just under four minutes left in the game, a tackle-breaking run brought the crowd to its feet and added 6 points to the board for Team 1. With the extra point, Team 1 took its first lead of the game, with a score of 9 - 8.

However, Team 2 would not be denied and scored a 20 yard field goal, with 26 seconds left on the clock, and held on for a final 11 - 9 victory. Players of the game for Team 1 were #5 Damion Dorn (offense) and #55 Brock Gowanlock (defense), while #7 Dylan Tucker (offense) and #44 Brock Loewen earned honours for Team 2.

A complete list of selections can be found here:

VMFL 2013 Bantam Team
2013 Midget Team 1
2013 Midget Team 2

Video Online Broadcast

More Pictures to come in the next few days. See the Media page

2013 Orange Helmet Awards

VMFL Members Awarded High Honors

2013 Community Coach Of The Year - Doug Pauls

Flag football's tremendous growth in the province of British Columbia over the past several years can be directly attributed to the tireless efforts of Doug Pauls.

While Doug wears many hats within football, his greatest impact can be seen in his role as the VMFL's Flag Coordinator. He is directly responsible for organizing the spring flag seasons for five separate age divisions and coordinating the provincial championships for every single
club that competes in the Spring flag season each year. This past June he coordinated over 1,000 individuals, volunteers, athletes, coaches and referees - as part of the Flag Provincial
Championships in Kelowna.

Doug's passion for football extends beyond his work with Spring flag football. At a local level, he is heavily involved with the Westside Warriors' program serving in a multitude of capacities including coach. For the past seven years he has also been part of the coaching staff for high school football's Vancouver College Fighting Irish.

Doug's love and passion for the game knows no bounds and the entire football landscape in the province is all the better thanks to his involvement.

2013 Pioneer Award Winner - John Hocking

The North Surrey Minor Football Association owes much of its success over the past three decades to John Hocking even though he never stepped onto the turf as a player or a coach.

Originally from Ontario, John first became involved with North Surrey Minor Football in the early 1980's when his son. Doug, wanted to give minor football a try. John was elected Vice-President of North Surrey Minor Football in 1982 - a position he has not relinquished since.

John added the title of equipment manager in 1984 which is perhaps the role he is best known for. He takes great pride in purchasing equipment and uniforms, and dressing every player in the association. always ensuring players' equipment is in tip-top shape.

One of John's biggest contributions to North Surrey Minor Football came shortly after the Association made a successful proposal to the City of Surrey in 1986 to build a new clubhouse. John, whose day job is with Be Hydro as a foreman. used his construction background to recruit a number of executives, coaches and club members to assist with the building project.

Today, he still actively maintains the North Surrey Minor Football clubhouse along with doing just about every other job imaginable to help the organization run smoothly and seamlessly.

2013 Spring Flag Football

Spring flag football is just around the corner and the schedule has now been released. Things kick off this year in Coquiltam on April 27th before heading over to North Delta the weekend after.

After that the season continues in New West, then Burnaby before wrapping up out in Chilliwack. The U19 division, formerly U18 will have their Provincial Championships in Richmond on June 2nd while all the other divisions will head up to sunny Kelowna on June 8th and 9th for their Provincial Champs.

April 27th - Coquitlam - Schedule
May 5th - North Delta - Schedule
May 11th - New West
May 25th - Burnaby
June 1st- Chilliwack
June 2nd- U19 Champs - Richmond
June 8th/9th - U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 Champs - Kelowna

 As well there will be some free U14 clinics held the first two weeks of the season. One player and coach per team. See brochure

Week 1 - Coquitlam - Receivers (noon to 1:15pm)
Week 2 - North Delta - Quarterbacks (noon to 1:15pm)

More information on Spring Flag here:

Coaches

VMFL Coaching Requirements

A list of some of the things you must do to be a coach in the VMFL:

Be trained in the NCCP Course for appropriate age group. Either Community Sport Initiation or Introduction to Competition

Online “Making Ethical Decisions” for Community Sport through Coaching Canada

Read and sign your VMFL Code of Conduct document and have submitted to the VMFL Secretary

Complete your contact information must be into the VMFL Secretary

If you are new to the position of Head Coach or new to coaching in the VMFL you may have to attend a VMFL Head Coach Clinic. See your President

Know and understand your rule books including the CARBFTF and the VMFL Handbook.