Football Canada introduces Under-18 coaching staff ahead of 2019 International Bowl

Football Canada has announced its national under-18 coaching staff that will lead a roster of 40 players at the 2019 International Bowl.

This January , the team will arrive in Arlington, Texas to participate in the prestigious event. The conclusion of the International Bowl week will be a game between Canada and the United States.

Last month, Football Canada announced a roster of 40 players who were also selected as all-stars for their notable performances at the 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta.

The U18 coaching staff was selected from each of the eight participating provincial teams that competed at this summer’s tournament.

Overall, this event aims to identify players for Canada’s Junior National Team as they begin their quest to bring home a third consecutive gold medal at the International Federation of America Football (IFAF) Under-19 World Championships in 2020.

Junior National Team Head Coach Steve Sumarah will lead this group of coaches and players in Texas.

This past July, Sumarah led the Junior National Team to a gold medal at the 2018 IFAF Under-19 World Championships in Mexico City, Mexico. It was Canada’s second straight gold medal at the tournament.

In addition to serving as current Junior National Team Head Coach, Sumarah instructed quarterbacks and receivers for Canada, who were silver medallists at the 2011 IFAF Senior Men’s World Championships in Austria. In 1998, he was the head coach for Team Nova Scotia at the 1998 Football Canada Cup (when it was in the under-19 format).

Currently, Sumarah is in his sixth year as head coach of USports Carleton Ravens. During his time with the Ravens, he led the team to two appearances in the OUA playoffs both in 2016 and 2018.

Previous to the Ravens, Sumarah served as head coach of the Saint Mary’s Huskies for six seasons and amassed a record of 35-12.  The Huskies won four consecutive AUS Conference Championships (1997-2000) and made an appearance in the 2007 Vanier Cup.  He was named AUS Coach of the Year three times (2007-2009).  In the past, Sumarah was Offensive Coordinator with the Huskies and a position coach with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.

“With the International Bowl coming in January, it’s pretty exciting to put together a coaching staff of guys from the Football Canada Cup,” commented Sumarah.  “A lot of these guys I have never worked with so it’s going to make for an exciting time to get together and try to bring a group of young men together to represent our country.”

“I am really looking forward to all the expertise and knowledge these coaches will bring to Team Canada.”

Offensive coordinator for the team will be Marco Iadeluca.  It is a return of sorts for Iadeluca as he served as head coach of the Under-18 national team that participated at the 2017 North American Championships in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, he was part of the coaching staff for the 2009 IFAF World Junior Championships.

As provincial head coach of Team Quebec, Iadeluca led the squads to the gold medal at the 2017 Football Canada Cup in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and the 2016 event in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  This past July, he guided the team to a bronze medal performance in Calgary, Alberta.

Recently, Iadeluca moved on from his role as offensive coordinator of USports team Montreal Carabins to a new position as Sports Administrator of CEGEP school College Andre-Grasset.

Not only will Iadeluca serve as offensive coordinator but he will also be in charge of the quarterbacks in Texas.

Adam Grandy is the defensive coordinator who has a wealth of experience.  As a part of the coaching staff for Ontario’s provincial team, Grandy helped the squad to a pair of bronze medals at the 2016 Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the 2017 tournament in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.  This past July, Ontario ended up fourth in the event in Calgary, Alberta.

During his seven year tenure with the Guelph Gryphons, he has worn many different hats including his current position as defensive coordinator, linebackers’ coach and assistant defensive coordinator.  Additionally, Grandy has been involved in the minor football in the Hamilton region for at least 14 years.

Having enjoyed success as a player, Grandy was part of the 2003 Yates Cup championship team with the McMaster Marauders and also played at the high school level with M.M. Robinson Rams of the Halton Secondary School Athletic Association (HSSAA).

The following are the additional members of this year’s Under-18 coaching staff:

Travis Serke – Offensive line coach

• Part of Team Saskatchewan Coaching Staff that won gold at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta
• One of the most decorated coaches in Football Canada Cup history, in addition to the gold in 2018, has led Saskatchewan to three silver (2014, 2016 & 2017) and a bronze medal (2015)
• Former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Offensive Line Coach

Stephen Fedus – Offensive line coach

• Part of provincial coaching staff that guided Team Manitoba to a sixth place finish at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta
• Has coached provincial program at four Football Canada Cup tournaments (2014-2018)
• Previously coached at CJFL level with PFC Conference team Winnipeg Rifles

Cory Philpot – Running backs coach

• Second consecutive time coaching at the International Bowl
• Head Coach of Team British Columbia that placed sixth at 2018 Football Canada Cup and fifth at the 2017 event
• Successful CFL playing career with BC Lions where he set a record for single season rushing yards on route to helping the team win a Grey Cup in 1994. The next season, Philpot set a league record for the most touchdowns.
• During his CFL career, the former running back was a recipient of the Eddie James Memorial Trophy twice (1994, 1995) and selected as a league All-Star in 1995.  The offensive star also did a brief stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1999-2000).

Jeff Stusek – Wide Receivers/Special Teams

• Head Coach of Team Saskatchewan that won gold at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta
• Guided Saskatchewan to back-to-back silver medals at 2016 and 2017 Football Canada Cup tournaments
• Currently, receivers’ coach with USports team, University of Regina Rams. Previously had coaching stints with Campbell of the Regina Intercollegiate Football League (RIFL), South Saskatchewan Selects, Regina Minor Football as well as a guest stint with CJFL PFC Conference’s Regina Thunder.

Trevor Pritchard – Linebackers Coach

• Part of coaching staff that led Team Alberta to a silver medal at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta
• Has been part of the provincial coaching staff for two additional Football Canada Cup tournaments (2016, 2017)
• Previous coaching stints include leading St. Joseph’s Celtics to Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA) Provincial Tier II Championship in 2015, Running backs coach with USports York Lions in 2008, as well as Sexsmith Sabres head coach (2000-2007) and Offensive Coordinator of Grande Prairie Bantam Broncos (2009-2014)

Michael Bohan – Defensive Backs Coach

• Part of provincial coaching staff that guided Team New Brunswick to a seventh place finish at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta
• Also coached Team New Brunswick at 2017 Football Canada Cup where the team placed eighth
• Recently, completed his collegial playing career with USports team, Mount Allison Mounties and played high school football with Tantramar Titans of the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL)

Rob Jubenville – Defensive Line

• Part of provincial coaching staff at 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alberta where Nova Scotia ended up eighth in tournament
• Also served as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for Nova Scotia at 2017 event where the team places sixth.
• The native of Oshawa, Ontario enjoyed a successful playing career with the AUS’ Saint Mary’s Huskies. During the 2011 season with the Huskies, he led the CIS (USports) in sacks with 10. For his play that season, he was named league All-Star, CIS (USports) 2nd Team All-Star and Huskies’ Defensive MVP. Previous to the Huskies, Jubenville played for Paul Dwyer Saints of the Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (LOSSAA).