Canada Coach Appointed

Glen Constantin to lead Team Canada at the NFL Global Junior Championship XI

Montreal, October 18, 2006 – Team Canada Football announced today that Glen Constantin – currently head coach of the CIS Laval Rouge et Or – will lead the Canadians at the 2007 NFL Global Junior Championship in Florida. Constantin replaces Danny Maciocia, who guided Canada to a second straight title last year.

Constantin was named the CIS coach of the year in 2005. He has also served as defensive coordinator with Team Canada the last two years. Maciocia, head coach of the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, led the Canadians to championships in both 2005 and 2006. In order to share the NFL Global Junior Championship experience with as many coaches as possible, Team Canada head coaches are replaced every two years.

‘’We are excited to give one of Canada’s top amateur coaches the chance to prepare a strong and proud Canadian team,” said Jean Charles Meffe, Team Canada’s Technical Director. “We are also thrilled to again be a part of the NFL’s efforts to grow the game of football around the world, and we’re confident that Glen will carry on Canada’s great tradition in this tournament.’’

The Canadians captured titles in both 2005 and 2006 by defeating teams made up of top American student-athletes from Super Bowl host counties in both 2005 and 2006.

‘’It’s an honor for me to succeed a great football man like Danny Maciocia,’’ said Constantin, who’ll announce his assistants over the next few weeks. ‘’I accept this challenge to coach Team Canada.’’

Listen to an interview with coach Constantin here at the Team Canada Football website.

The event is now in its eleventh year and will be played as part of the Super Bowl XLI festivities. Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale will become the first venue to host the NFL Global Junior Championship for a second time, since initially hosting the international teams in 1999.

‘’I really enjoyed watching our young players perform in this high pressure event and carry us to victory, said Maciocia. “I fully support Glen’s selection and I have no doubt he’ll have a lot of success.”

Visiting teams from each country will live with volunteer families from local high schools. Cardinal Gibbons will welcome current champion Canada, Pine Crest hosts European Junior Champion France, North Broward Prep opens its doors to Japan, Western High welcomes Mexico, and University High hosts Panama. Tickets for the event cost $5 per day with one hundred percent of the proceeds benefiting the participating schools.

Several evaluation camps are planned to help determine the Team Canada squad with the final selection camp set for December 15-17 in Rosemere, Que.

The teams will be divided into two groups based on the standings from 2006 and will play from 12pm to 10pm on Wednesday, January 31 to determine who will contest the Championship Game on Saturday, February 3 at 3pm. The medal games will kick off at 9am and 12pm. All games will be played at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.