Québec to host 2015 Football Canada Cup

Eight provincial teams will compete for the under-18 tackle football national championship, the Football Canada Cup just outside of Montréal at Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu’s Alphonse-Desjardins Stadium from July 13-19, 2015. The annual event returns to the province of Québec for the first time since 2008 when it was hosted in Sherbrooke. The 2015 edition will feature a field of eight provincial teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and two teams from host Québec.

The Football Canada Cup (FCC) is the premier pre-university football tournament in Canada which annually showcases the top under-18 football players from across the country. The tournament boast a number of notable alumni including Ben Heenan, Israel Idonije, Kirby Fabien, Andy Fantuz, Dan McCullough, Jason Pottinger and Matt Walter. In addition, five of the last six CIS Rookie of the Year Award winners: Hugo Richard (2014); Daniel Vandervoort (2013); Shaquille Johnson (2012); Tyler Varga (2011); and Linden Gayosh (2009) are all tournament alumni.

The event features three game days within a seven day span culminating with the 12 and final game between two undefeated teams who battle for the title of national champion. Ontario is the defending national champion after defeating host Saskatchewan-Green in the gold medal game in Saskatoon. Québec will look to rebound in their home province after placing third in 2014 following three consecutive gold medal podium finishes.

Identification for national team

In addition to representing their provinces, participating players do not just showcase their talent for junior, CÉGEP and university coaches from across Canada but the event also serves as an identification opportunity for the national team. Starting in 2013, the top 40 players from the Canada Cup have been invited to represent Canada on the Under-18 National Team, competing against Team USA in the annual International Bowl series. The U-18 team selected from the 2014 Canada Cup will face their U.S. counterparts on January 30 at AT&T (Cowboy) Stadium.

The tournament schedule will be announced in 2015.

History

The Football Canada Cup was established in 1995 as an under-19 national tackle football championship with the addition of the under-17 championship, created in 2004. In accordance with the Long Term Athlete Development Model and growth of football across the country the championship has shifted its focus to a new age category to support the player development that is taking place within the provinces. The 2010 National under-18 event was the first time in the event’s history that seven provinces were represented at one time in one division.

More about the Canada Cup