Our 64th Bell Warriors Team Banquets were held this past weekend and as
always, both events were a huge celebration of youth sports; of our … …
What a day of celebrations the Warriors had. Our annual Team Banquets is so much more than just an award ceremony (but it is important to celebrate excellence too). Our Club has a very simple recipe to succeed that we embrace globally. …and that is……to work hard to challenge ourselves, to always strive to learn from our mistakes, to never get discouraged, to strive to grow and as importantly, realize that our actions impact those around us. If you follow our simple recipe, your actions will not only inevitably lead to your success, they will lead to successes of all your teammates who you inspire and motivate. There is lots to celebrate when we do that and ultimately, this is what our Warriors celebrated Saturday at our day long of hosting of two annual Team Banquets.
In conjunction with our Banquets, the Warriors hosted two Silent Auctions. Our 6th annual fundraisers represent a labour of love that has become a huge fundraiser for the Club …. and it’s become a lot of fun too. A big THANK YOU to all of our Donors:
For all of our volunteers that helped with the setup, administration and tear down of the auctions, THANK YOU. Your hard work helped us raise a record $6,500 for our Warriors!
Of course the two events are also a celebration of our players that truly excelled this year. To all of our players that competed this year, congratulations on dedicating yourselves the Warriors Way. We hope you had an excellent experience with your Warriors family and for those that were fortunate enough to be major award winners this year, NICE JOB SETTING THE TONE FOR YOUR TEAM. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ON AND OFF THE FIELD! The 2017 Major Award Winners were:
BANTAM: Front Row (L to R): Jacob Smith (DB); Armando Pascual de la Cruz (Best D-Player); Dakarai Baskin (Rookie); Michael Fiorino (Most Improved); Alaa Erdawi (Most Versatile); Brandon Graff (Leadership Award). Back Row (L to R): Trey O’Brien (MVP); Ethan Ryan (Best OL); Shyreek Phillips (Best DL); Kahir Padamshi (Coaches Choice);.
PEE WEE: Kneeling (L to R): Owen Lavigne (Warrior Award and Best D-Player); Elliot Fleming (Best DB); Arland Alvarez (Rookie). Second Row (L to R): Ryan Morissette (Coaches Choice); Avery Osborne (Best O-Player); Zachary Baylin (Most Versatile); Daymein Davidson (Best OL). Back Row (L to R): Tyler Baigent (MVP); Jeremie Catalusi (Outstanding LB); Lee Kubsz (Best DL); Isaiah Markell Ayalugo (Most Improved).
MOSQUITO: Front Row (L to R): Joshua Olubajo (Best Offensive Back); Mason Quinn (Best OL); Tyler Gordon Davies (Best D-Back); Jacob Wong (Best O-Player). Back Row (L to R): Mason Jude (Coaches Choice); Alex Moniot (Best OL); Colton Lusk (Rookie); Matthew Lohnes (Best D-Line). Absent: Nolan Dulmage (MVP); Connor Murray (Most Improved); Alexander Smith (Best OL).
TYKE: Front Row (L to R): Avery Stuart and Rylan Gonzalez-Lee (Coaches Choice); Kingston Pappas (Best D-Player); Louis Turpin (MVP); Mohamad-Ali Saad (Best O-Player). Back Row (L to R); William Fortier (Best O-Line); Devin Swire (Best D-Line); Mariah Markell-Ayalogu (Rookie); Dylan Danby (Most Versatile). Absent: Daniel Salakor (Most Improved).
University of Western Mustangs alumni and ’16 Bantam Special Teams & DB Coach Carl-André Potier has just become our newest Friend of the Warriors Sponsor! Not only did Coach Carl-André dedicate his summer and fall coaching our Warriors Bantams, he donated a signed Edmonton Eskimos jersey to our 5th Annual Bell Warriors Silent Auction. A very respectful and valued young man, Mr. Potier also took the occasion to present our Bell Warriors with a cheque to formally become a FRIEND OF THE WARRIORS Sponsor.
Coach Carl-André Potier (who works as an Advisor for Sun Life Financial) donates a cheque to the Bell Warriors to become our 1st Friend of the Warriors Sponsor of 2017. Picture L to R: Paul Stewart (Bell Warriors President), Carl-André Potier (Sun-Life Financial Advisor)
Carl-André’s donation to our 5th Annual Silent Auctions Fundraiser an official Edmonton Eskimos Jersey signed by Calvin McCarty.
The 5th Annual Bell Warriors Silent Auctions were held in conjunction with our annual team banquets Saturday, January 7th at The Ale – Amberwood Lounge & Eatery. The new location for our banquets combined with a very competitive group of parents led to a record-setting two events. In all, when we took in revenues from the Raffles and Silent Auctions from our Tyke/Mosquito Awards Brunch and Pee Wee/Bantam Dinner, the Warriors brought in over $6,000 which will be set aside to ensure we keep our club and sport “Affordable for All“.
1st of two Silent Auctions are set up and ready for the onslaught of excited bidders.
The competitive scrutiny begins at our Record-Breaking Silent Auctions!
Some of our many door prizes which included a really-nice Warriors Helmet signed by the entire Warriors Mosquito team. What a great keepsake!
Some late items for our annual Raffle which included this very nice basket from Coach Normand Fortier (or Pattison Outdoor Advertising) and a terrific “Warriors Cake” made especially for our event by The Sweet Room Bakery and Boutique (of Stittsville)
Our RAFFLE which included a fantastic BBQ donated by Brown’s Independent Grocer in Stittsville
The Bell Warriors Football Club has reached out to Warriors families, supporters and local businesses and the response was better than could have been expected Saturday (January 9/16) at their Team Banquets. Two Club banquets were held. One for the two youngest teams (Tyke ages 8-10 and Mosquito ages 11-12) and one for the Warriors two oldest teams (Pee Wee ages 13-14 and Bantam ages 15-16). In addition to the big day of banquets, the Warriors hosted their 4th Annual Silent Auctions, one with each banquet. In all, the Warriors Club raised over $5,000 which will go directly back towards purchasing new football equipment for our players and ensuring their sport is affordable for all.
Our first of two Silent Auctions of the day.
“Football has never been bigger in Ottawa. This increased awareness of our great sport has led to a paralleled increase of support of our Warriors football programs. One of our primary goals as a club is to focus on player safety by upgrading our equipment and re-certifying our existing equipment annually. Unlike other sports, keeping our sport as affordable as possible is essential. What we offer our young players is far too important to have financial barriers limit enrolment. It’s a constant challenge to balance. We introduced Silent Auctions to our banquets three years ago and with this year’s proceeds, we have raised approximately $20,000. To put that into perspective, this could cover the purchase cost of over 60 new helmets or registration fees for over 60 player.” says Paul Stewart, Bell Warriors President and Bantam Head Coach.
Stewart continues, “We rely heavily on community support to offer our football programs. Most people do not realize that less than 50% of our proceeds come as a result of player fees. So much of our Warrior volunteers’ time is dedicated to hosting winter conditioning sessions; fielding our tackle football teams and girl’s spring touch football teams. Over the last few years, more sponsors have recognized our financial challenges and have stepped up with financial and in-kind support. We truly thank our 2015 Bell Warrior sponsors:
Gold Sponsors: Scotiabank; Primo Self Storage; Ontario Iron Works; The Glen Scottish Pub & Restaurant; Ottawa Valley Kitchens
Silver Sponsors: Yasmin Fues; RCMP Officer’s Mess; King’s Independent Grocer
Bronze Sponsors: Jill Dulmage; Battle River Bison Co.; Bradley’s Commercial Insurance; Don Cherry’s Sports Grill; Danby’s Bar & Grill; BMO Global Asset Management; Rona; Stittsville News
Friend of the Warriors Sponsors: Mike Polito; Janet & Mike Keenan; Susan & Rick Rab; Grant & Cathy England; David Rheaume; 1951 West Kitchen & Bar
“The Warriors volunteer over 5,000 hours a year because we are committed to instill the importance learning the value of hard work, respect, responsibility, commitment, sportsmanship and leadership in our local youth. Our motto, ‘Warriors For Life’, represents our dedication to be there for our youth on and off the field and long after their playing days are done.”
Special Guest Speaker at this year’s Warriors Banquets was Justin Phillips of the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Mr Phillips went to Laurier University where he won the Vanier Cup. He went on to play for 7 years for the Calgary Stampeders where he won a Grey Cup before becoming the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ first free agent signing. In his ninth year in the CFL this year, Justin started his playing career with the Bell Warriors Football Club. In 2013, he became the Bell Warriors inaugural inductee into the Bell Warriors Hall of Fame.
Vanier Cup Champion, Grey Cup Champion, Bell Warriors Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductee Justin Phillips of the Ottawa REDBLACKS
The 2015 Bell Warriors tackle program Individual award winners were:
Tyke: Bottom Row L to R: Most Improved Player – Bryce Adam (Stittsville); Most Valuable Player – Owen Lavigne (Nepean); Coaches Choice – Jack Mackay (Nepean); Rookie of the Year – Donavyn Gonzalez-Lee (Nepean); Back Row L to R: Best O-Line – Daniel Houston (Nepean); Outstanding Offensive Player – Julien Beaulieu (Perth); Outstanding Defensive Player – Ryan Morissette (Richmond); Most Versatile – Daniel Olubajo (Nepean); Best D-Line – Joshua Olubajo (Stittsville).
Mosquito: Most Valuable Player – Dylan Stengel (Bayshore); Coaches Choice – Ethan Morissette (Richmond); Outstanding Offensive Player – Liam Baglole (Ottawa); Outstanding Defensive Player – Curtis Brohman (Bayshore); Rookie of the Year – Avery Osborne (Stittsville) and Zachary Baylin (Crystal Beach); Most Versatile – Trevor Christie (Richmond); Most Improved Player – Jackson Welsh (Nepean); Outstanding Offensive Back – Andrew Howatt (Ashton); Outstanding Defensive Back – Chris Edouard-Williams (Bayshore); Best O-Line – Dylan Krout (Ottawa); Best D-Line – Liam Ryan (Carleton Place)
Pee Wee: Front Row L to R: Most Valuable Player – Ben Williams (Bayshore); Middle Row L to R: Best D-Line – Lucas Quattrocchi (Stittsville); Coaches Award – Jérémy Paré (Stittsville); Outstanding Defensive Back – Kyle Crabtree (Stittsville); Warrior Award – Nicholas Walter (Stittsville); Most Improved – Nolan Harris (Ashton); Back Row L to R: Outstanding Offensive Player – John Lubemba (Bayshore); Best Linebacker – Michael Byrne (CarletonPlace); Best O-Line– Andrew Bagg (Perth); Outstanding Defensive Player – Ethan Ryan (Carleton Place); Rookie of the Year – Daniel Briere (Nepean); Outstanding Offensive Back – Jake Papalia (Bells Corners); Most Versatile – Jack Buckley (Stittsville).
Bantam: Front Row L to R: Outstanding Defensive Player – Malik Yusuf (Stittsville); Most Valuable Player and Leadership Award – Tyler Brohman (Bayshore); Most Improved – Aron Masalingi (Bayshore); Back Row L to R: Rookie of the Year – Nick Simms (Carleton Place); Outstanding Offensive Player – James Keenan (Stittsville); Most Versatile – Andrew Fullerton (Stittsville); Coaches Choice – Sam Roberts (Nepean); Best Defensive Back – Nicolas Miller-Armstrong (North Gower); Best O-Line – Waylon Allan (Perth); Missing from photo: Best D-Line – Keenan Broad (Kemptville)
Tyler Brohman (Bantam MVP, Bantam Leadership Award winner) and Sam Roberts (Bantam Coaches’ Choice Award winner)
L to R: Joe Papalia (Bantam DC); Malik Yusuf (Bantam Most Outstanding Defensive Player); Jesse Card (Bantam DB Coach)
L to R: Tim Sheahan (Bantam OC); James Keenan (Bantam Most Outstanding Offensive Player); Paul Stewart (Bell Warriors President, Bantam Head Coach)
The Bell Warriors Football Club would like to thank all of the donators to the 2015 Bell Warriors Silent Auction:
Looking forward to seeing everyone again this weekend. Banquets are now sold out. Please give yourself time to check out our Silent Auctions at each of our Team Banquets. Think of your purchase as a donation towards our Warrior Program. You’ll not only be helping keep our sport affordable for all….you’ll also be going home with amazing donations.
We’ve brought the items to you …. …. now let’s turn that hard work into some valuable financial support for our program and players. Let’s make our sport AFFORDABLE FOR ALL! Bid high and bid often!!!
Justin Phillips of the Ottawa REDBLACKS started his playing days years ago as a Bell Warrior and the local star football player has not forgotten his roots. Recently, Paul Stewart (Bell Warriors President) approached Mr Phillips with the opportunity to help raise money for the Warriors. The local non-profit football club introduced Silent Auctions at its two team banquets three years ago and they have become important annual fundraisers for the youth football club. “Keeping our sport affordable is always a challenge and a driving mandate for our club. Our expenses continue to grow while our revenues are basically capped so we have to be inventive and diligent to do what we can to raise funds in different ways”, states Mr. Stewart.
Justin Phillips (Warrior Alumni, Vanier Cup Champion, Grey Cup Champion, Warrior Hall of Famer) with his two donations to the 4th Annual Bell Warriors Fundraiser Silent Auctions. THANK YOU JUSTIN!
Justin Phillips appreciates this challenge as much as anyone and he recently met with club officials to present the Warriors with two official REDBLACK composite footballs signed by himself and his teammates including the 2015 CFL Most Outstanding Player Henry Burris. “He’s such a great young man. This gesture will likely help offset fees for a couple of financially challenged families next year. It’s simple. We’ve been offering football programs for 60 years this year. With caring community leaders like Justin, it’s far more likely that our efforts will continue for years to come”, concludes Mr. Stewart.
This year’s Silent Auctions will be held in conjunction with the Bell Warriors Team Banquets Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Cedarhill Golf and Country Club. There is still time to support the cause with a donation. Email info@bellwarriors.ca for more details.
T: (613) 838-4279
E: info@bellwarriors.ca
M: P.O. Box 1269,
Richmond, ON K0A 2Z0
