Now was it CHILI or was it HOT? Well it was a little of both!
Whiprsnapr Brewing Co. hosted a very-well timed Chili Contest Fundraiser this past Sunday with all funds raised going to our Bell Warriors. We packed their brewery and tasted away. Some were savoury. Some were spicy. One even tasted like a black forest chocolate cherry chili and it was oddly amazing. We all sampled some of their many craft-brewed beer (which is top notch) and enjoyed watching the CFL Grey Cup semi-finals on their big screen. It was perfect!
Big thank you to Ian McMartin of Whiprsnapr Brewing Co. and our very own Keith Stuart (Warriors Mosquito Head Coach) for setting up this great day. We also took home some funds to help support our young Warriors. Football is all about having a passion for life and acting with distinction. Our friends at Whiprsnapr and Keith and his family clearly get that. THANK YOU!
Oh yes… … CONGRATS to AVERY STUART, a fearless Mosquito Warriors player, who (with a little help from his Grandma) was selected as the Honourable Mention Champion Chili contestant. This may have to be an annual event (if I have anything to say about this)!
At the heart of the success of the Bell Warriors Football Club is our tireless volunteers and those that help keep our great sport ‘Affordable For All‘ by making generous contributions. Scotty’s Corner Diner, in Bells Corners Nepean, was celebrated last night for doing both!
Scott Statham and his wife Jodi Statham are owners of the bustling Scottty’s Corner Diner. Scotty in his younger years was actually a player for the Warriors. Years later, when his and Jodi’s boy Logan was old enough, the Stathams came home to the Warriors in a BIG WAY. Scotty has been a key volunteer and coach for over a decade now and his wife Jodi bled Warriors’ Blue and Yellow. She did everything for everyone all the time and always with enthusiasm and a glowing smile. Their daughter Makayla was also part of the Warriors family to the extent that she was our inaugural Volunteer of the Year winner in 2012.
More recently, Jodi and Scotty started a new business in Bells Corners, Scotty’s Corner Diner, but they still found the time to support our club. Even though they were time-strapped and likely heavily invested in their own business launch, Scotty’s Corner Diner agreed to coordinate our game-day canteens. When it was said and done at year end to tally the invoices owed, we were told, “It’s on us. Thank you for what the Warriors do in our community.”
Although Jodi and Scotty would not accept our money, the Warriors wanted them to realize how much we care about their thoughtfulness, kindness and tireless commitment to our youth, our community, our players and our 64 year-old football club. At the 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Night held at The ALE – Amberwood Lounge & Eatery (Stittsville), the Stathams were given a special gift. In the drop-box frame is our a Warriors Mosquito Jersey (which was sponsored by Scotty’s Corner Diner). The jersey was #66, the same number worn by their son Logan in his days with the Warriors. Also enclosed was acknowledgement of their business as a GOLD SPONSOR of the Warriors and a family photo with their family all adorned in Warriors Blue and Yellow.
THANK YOU Jodi and Scott Statham and Scotty’s Corner Diner (Bells Corners, Nepean) for all you do for our players, community, and Warriors Football Club!
At our 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Night, our Warriors volunteers gathered for some food & drink and a night to spend some time with our Warriors friends that we’ve made this season and over the years. It is always a festive celebration and the highlight is the naming of our Volunteer of the Year.
This year we broke new ground selecting Volunteers of the Year – Troy & Allison MacLeod of Richmond, ON.
A quote from Dan Crabtree, VP of Finance, in support of their winning selection stated, “Troy & Allison MacLeod are the basis of so many of our club’s services. I am hands down in support of Troy and Allison as volunteer(s) of the year nominees. They exemplify “going above and beyond”. They have done so much behind the scene work for Bell over the years and they always made people feel like it was “no problem”. They have recruited for the club and driven countless of players as well. This year Allison oversaw our Warriors Wear and Promo Items orders which included sourcing out a new supplier and hosting a new website for orders. Troy, in his position as Equipment Manager, organized all of the supplies needed to host our 4 levels of Winter Workouts, our 11 weeks of Flag Football, all of our equipment fittings for each level, and game day setup for all four of our tackle football teams. The couple are not only great Warrior volunteers, they are a shining example of what the impact dedicated volunteers can have in their community.” – Dan Crabtree, Bell Warriors VP of Finance
Paul Stewart, Bell Warriors President, presented the prestigious award after saying, “Troy and Allison MacLeod work tirelessly year round as a true tag-team. We work annually to add value for our families and most importantly, set an example for our young players. Football should be all about being selfless, supportive, caring, and dedicated. This is where this lovely couple truly shines. In my 16 years with the club, I have never had more committed volunteers. Their pleasant demeanor and tireless approach to giving back has also caught on with our many other volunteers. They have truly embodied a culture that we have been working to instill. I am proud to consider them as friends and thankful for their contribution to our league and club.” – Paul Stewart, Bell Warriors President
CONGRATULATIONS Troy & Allison MacLeod and on behalf of our players, families, many volunteers, and the Warriors…..THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Free to enter. $5 cash for tasting with proceeds to the Bell Warriors Football Club.
Winner gets a $20 gift certificate and all entrants get a beer thanks to Whiprsnapr and while your there, there will be CFL Semi-Finals on their big screen!
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. – John McCrae
NCAFA Championship week is always an exciting time of the year with the largest amateur football association showcasing the best-of-the best 8 through 18 year olds from Eastern Ontario and now Western Quebec. Our Bantam team were hindered with some untimely injuries. They battled hard in their B-Cup semi losing in a very tight finish to the Gloucester South Raiders 14.12. Our very young inexperienced Pee Wee team continued to gel and improve as the season went on. They saw themselves earn a spot vs the Gatineau Vikings in the C-Cup Championship losing in the final minute 26-22 in a heart breaker. The Warriors Tykes 6v6 also saw themselves in their C-Cup Championship and in the last 30 seconds of the game, they gave up an untimely TD to the South Ottawa Mustangs which gave the Mustangs a 38-34 win.
Our Mosquito team ended up playing on A-Cup Sunday vs the #1 ranked Bel-Air Lions. They had faced the Lions twice during the regular season and lost both games. On that chilly Sunday morning however, our relentless Warriors Mosquitos were not to be denied. This was an inaugural 9v9 format this year which will continue going forward on the basis of this year’s successful launch. The Lions played our Warriors tough but in the end, it was not enough and our Warriors were lifting the A-Cup Championship trophy!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Pat Kilmartin who laid the foundation for the big win and to Head Coach Keith Stuart, DC Coach Jon Landon and all of our volunteers, parents and awesome players!!!
It’s official! The 2019 Jim Wagdin Bell Warriors Scholarship winners have been announced and this year’s winners are Jacob Papalia of Bells Corners and James Keenan of Stittsville.
Jacob Papalia describes his years with the Warriors as, “a place to grow and that the Warriors gave me the greatest sense of belonging. My passion for football and time with the Warriors was truly the best time of my life (so far).” Jake”the Snake” is in his first semester at Carleton University in their popular Bachelor of Information Technology program but he still makes time to play NCAFA football for our sister club at Midget the Bel-Air Norsemen. Always a hard-working leader, Jake credits his drive and dedication in large part to the many lessons learned with our Warriors. “I’m proud Warrior stock. We are a brand of young men who are disciplined, respectful, strong, and full of character and possibility. I’m beyond thankful for all my years as a Warrior and I truly wish I could relive it all. Once a Warrior, forever a Warrior. Warriors for life!” Congratulations Jake. You truly opitimize what being a Warrior for Life truly means!
James Keenan says, “If you know the Warrior Way, you know the characteristics of respect, integrity, commitment, honesty, and above all else, community. By community, I mean support, giving and leadership by example.” James is currently in his second year at Queens University in their Honours Bachelor of History program. In addition to James’ studies, he is a member of the Queens Gaels Football Club and started this year as a QB in only his second year (which is basically unheard of)! James credits his football experiences often with the Warriors as preparing him for, “more impactful leadership roles. I look around and assess who needs support to get everyone to the level at which they are at their best. Being best is not the goal, but to ensure everyone has a chance to be their best is.” Well done James. We are immensely proud of your many accomplishments and know your drive, competitiveness and abilities will continue to lead to impressive successes long after you hang up your cleats…..but until then….GO GAELS!
Join us in congratulating these two exceptional young men who continue to represent the “Warrior Way” and our program with integrity and pride. CONGRATULATIONS JAKE AND JAMES!
They’re back!!! The Warriors have a separate Silent Auction at both of our Team Banquets – the Tyke/Mosquito Brunch Banquet and the Pee Wee/Bantam Dinner Banquet. This has become a very important fundraiser for our club …. and it’s a lot of fun.
The Warriors do everything we can to grow our sport with a goal to make our great sport affordable and accessible to all. We supply all of the equipment while keeping our fees at a ceiling of $350-$400 (depending on the level). Our player fees do not come close to covering our operating costs so we are obliged to reach out to the community if we are to accomplish our key goals. Our Annual Warriors Silent Auctions have become an important part of our fundraising efforts.
Make an important donation and be sure to bid often to show your support for our players and program. Contact info@bellwarriors.ca for more details to show you support for our young players.
Silent Auction Item Donation Form
Time to give one of our tireless volunteers a BIG PAT ON THE BACK! Nominations for VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR are open until October 31. Send your nomination to president@bellwarriors.ca and let us know why you think your nominee stands out & should receive this award.
The winner will be announced at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night.
Our list of Volunteers of the Year which set an example for our families, club, league and of course for our young players. We are so proud of what we accomplish annually for our community. It takes selfless dedication, tireless effort, thoughtful delivery, a caring heart, and a zest for life. This great group exemplify the BEST-OF-THE-BEST! Thank you to all of our valued volunteers and CONGRATULATIONS to this fine group who truly showed they were #Warriors4Life!
2018 – Christine Lavigne
2018 – Veronica Papalia
2017 – Kelly Broad
2016 – Carmen Schwartz
2015 – Brian Patterson
2014 – Karin Statham
2013 – Makayla Statham
Some players can’t afford to wear pink swag and some would rather cover themselves with swag than be a team player or actually give to a cause. That’s why we rather our families save their money and just make a donation to SUPPORT THE FIGHT!
In place of our players spending lots of money buying Pink Swag to wear in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Warriors will again be sporting Pink Ribbon stickers on our helmets. We ask that families focus their monies instead towards a donation at any of our upcoming canteens. Families interested can also give our managers donations. 100% of the donations go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
#SupporttheFight #Warriors4Life
Zachary Statham-Souliere Obituary & Tribute details
“This beautiful boy will be celebrated this Sunday Oct 6th at the Tubmans Funeral Homes (Bells Corners) on Richmond Rd between 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. There will not be a service. It is reception only. Light refreshments will be provided. If you have any pics of Zack that you would like to share, please forward them to his Aunt Jodi Statham. All are welcome to come dressed in whatever you are comfortable in. If you have a football or hockey jersey, please wear it! Love and hugs ❤” – Karin Statham (Zach’s mother)
There are also two pages that we know of to help the family:
Meal Train for Statham Family
Go Fund Me – Please help Zach Rest In Peace
There was also a commemorative moment of silence at the Bel-Air Norsemen’s home game Friday night. How amazingly brave of Karin Statham and Guy Souliere and so typically thoughtful and appropriate of Lyne Viau, Tony Violante and the entire Bel-Air Football Club to praise this young man who impacted so many of us. May we all leave a legacy where we have touched so many with our courage, loyalty and friendship:
As most of you may have heard already, our community lost a caring friend this week Zachary Statham-Souliere. For so many of us, you will want Zach to he remembered for the bonds he forged with his friends year after year playing Warriors football and how his parents and extended family gave everything they had to his teams and our club to be sure Zach had fond and lasting memories.
The family is asking that everyone please respect their privacy to give them time for reflection in their time of grief. On behalf of our Warriors family, however, it is important for the entire Statham-Souliere family to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Our very sincerest condolences.
Long-time Bell Warriors standout James Keenan was just named Queen’s University offensive football player of the week. Gaels quarterback James Keenan had his best performance of the season on Saturday afternoon leading the Gaels to their first victory of the year in a 15-8 win over the Windsor Lancers. Keenan completed 12 of 24 passes for a career-high 257 yards and one touchdown. His presence was also felt on the ground as he scrambled five times for 50 yards including a 27-yard gain on the Gaels opening drive that led to a field goal.
Nicely done James!
Congrats to our Bell Warriors alumni Brad Cowan Laurier University Football Defensive Player of the Week! Brad, a native of Ashton and long-time Warriors standout, played a key part in another outstanding defensive effort from the Golden Hawks as they shut down York’s offence on Monday. The third-year communication studies major recorded seven total tackles, a half sack, a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup as Laurier limited the Lions to just 231 yards of offence and three points. The seven tackles matched Cowan’s single-game career high, providing a welcome presence in the middle of the defence after missing all of last season due to injury. This marks the first time in his career that Cowan has been named Laurier’s Defensive Player of the Week. Brad is also a distinguished Bell Warriors Jim Wagdin Post-Secondary Scholarship winner (in 2016). NICELY DONE BRAD!