With the launch of the newest CFL team to hit Ottawa in time for the 2014 season, Canadian Football just got a whole lot more exciting for fans in Eastern Ontario.
The Ottawa Redblacks have already made their debut against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 14, 2014. Although the Roughriders defeated the Redblacks 21-17, the game was exciting, well attended and the fans went wild for the new team! Not only do the Redblacks bring the exciting sport of football back to the Nation’s Capital, they are a whole lot more with their outreach program “Game plan for success” which aims to engage the community schools.
They provide fun, engaging and educational life-lessons that meet the school’s curriculum including:
- Character Building
- Goal Setting
- Team Work
- Anti-Bullying
The Ottawa Redblacks will visit schools (upon completing the request form on their website) to discuss the importance of setting goals and never giving up. The players will provide concrete examples of challenges they faced as children on their life-path towards getting to their goal of becoming a professional football players. These players and the organization aim to serve as mentors in their community and work hard to give back through various avenues.
The Ottawa Redblacks are a CFL expansion team, owned by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group which is a partnership of five Ottawa business and community leaders. The partners; Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, Jeff Hunt, William Shenkman and John Pugh, each own successful business enterprises and are well-known in Ottawa for their continued community service. The League conditionally awarded a franchise to OSEG in March of 2008. In June 2010, Ottawa City Council voted to partner with OSEG and proceed with the revitalization of Lansdowne Park, which will now serve as the home of Redblacks and has been re-named the TD Place.
With Football alive and well in the capital, many can see the already popular sport growing for years to come. Not only is it beneficial to take in a game at the new TD Place – to support local sport in the community, but also make sure to check out community football teams (competitive and recreational) for your chance to get in on the fun!
For more information on local football and how you can get involved, follow the link: https://sportottawa.ca/sport-organizations/?sport=Football