Mullin elected as new President of Football Canada

Chinn, Grace, Fowler voted to the Board of Directors while Henkewich and Simon appointed to one year terms.

By Ameeta Vohra

Last weekend during Football Canada’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Jim Mullin was elected as the organization’s new leader. Additionally, Shannon Chinn, Gord Grace and James Fowler were voted into the Board of Directors.  Rick Henkewich and Geroy Simon were appointed on one-year terms.

Mullin, a resident of Bowen Island, British Columbia brings a wealth of experience to the presidential role.  For the last four years, he served on Football Canada’s Board of Directors and chair of the organization’s Business Development Committee.  During the last term, he also represented the Board of Directors on the Contact Working Committee. Previously, he served on the Football British Columbia’s Board for two years.

Mullin takes over the reins of the president role from Kim Wudrick, who finished a three-year term.

“The top priority for me is for Football Canada to address communication,” Mullin said.  “It’s our duty to connect with all stakeholders to let them know what tools we can provide for them to grow the sport at the grass roots.”

Our staff has developed two outstanding programs to engage kids in the game we love. The Ultimate and First Down programs can re-energize football development at the younger ages in all parts of the country. It’s up to us to work with the entire football community to get the word out.”

With over three decades of experience in the media and event managing industries, Mullin has become one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian amateur football.

As co-owner, producer and host of the nation’s only amateur football broadcast, Krown Countdown U, it has reached tremendous strides and success.  Heading into its ninth season, the TV broadcast will be airing on TSN beginning in August while the radio portion of the show is heading into its third season on TSN’s Radio Network.

Last July, Krown Countdown U, working with International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and CBC Sports online, co-funded and produced he Junior National Team’s games during the IFAF World Junior Under-19 Championship in Mexico City, Mexico.  Canada brought home gold after defeating Mexico in front of 25,000 fans.

Previously, Mullin was the Director for the 2011 Vanier Cup which was hosted in Vancouver.  I this role, he achieved one of his major career accomplishments as this game was part of a full integration with the CFL’s Grey Cup.  The championship weekend resulted in a lower-bowl sellout of 24,000 people in attendance for the university championship held at BC Place Stadium.

Moreover, he was the Sports Director for the top rated radio show in Western Canada at CKNW Radio Vancouver.  Furthermore, Mullin was the coordinator of the award winning coverage of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games for all four Vancouver stations.

For 10 seasons, Mullin was the voice of Canada West football on both Shaw and Global TV in the roles as play-by-play announcer and co-producer.  In addition to football, he also produced and called games for Canada West football and basketball as well as Western Hockey League (WHL) games.

Not only has his success transcended nationally but also on the international level with his vice work on Eurosport and co-production of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) weekly show for four seasons.  During this role, the British Columbian worked on high level events including World, European (both Men’s and Women’s) and World Junior Championships as well as EuroBasket Final Four.

Currently, Mullin is continuing to grow the game by creating a Canada-Mexico under-24 Bowl with Comisión Nacional Deportiva Estudiantil de Instituciones Privadas (CONADEIP) for December 2019.

Mullin hopes to build on Canada’s reputation as a leader on the international stage.

“While those around the game are just discovering the international dynamic of football, Football Canada has been at the forefront of international development for over a decade,” he said.  “As back-to-back IFAF World Junior Champions we have developed a path as a leader in global competition.

We intend to continue to be the standard-bearer for all ages at the top of the podium representing Canada on the global stage.”

The three elected Board of Directors bring a wide range of experience and background that will benefit the organization.

Shannon Chinn, who is from Ottawa, Ontario, has been voted into her second term with the Board of Directors.  Currently, she is the Director of LookSports for the Look Company.  Chinn holds the distinction of being the first female candidate ever elected to Football Canada’s Board of Directors. She has extensive marketing and sponsorship experience including time with TSN, Ottawa Senators Sports & Entertainment, Saskatchewan Roughriders, TrojanOne and SC Consulting.

Gord Grace has been elected to his first term with the Board of Governors. From Burlington, Ontario, the former player and coach has over 17 years’ experience in program building.  Currently, Grace is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA).  He has expertise based from previous stints at USPORTS, University of Windsor, Mount Allison University, University of Michigan and Wilfrid Laurier University.

James Fowler is from Moncton, New Brunswick.  This is his first time being elected to Football Canada’s Board of Directors.  For the past 40 years, Fowler has enjoyed success as a practicing lawyer and a level 4 football official, referring at prestigious events such as Vanier Cup, Mitchell Cup, Uteck and Loney Bowls as well as the Football Canada Cup.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Rick Henkewich has been appointed to a one year term with the Board of Directors.  Previously, he served two consecutive terms.  As the owner/founder of NRS Mail and Consulting, Henkewich served as the Commissioner of the Winnipeg High School Football League for six years.

Also appointed on a one-year term is Geroy Simon.  No stranger to the gridiron, he enjoyed success at both the NFL and CFL level.  Currently the BC Lions Director of Canadian Scouting, Simon is the founder of the Game Ready Elite 7on7 and a Fitness Mentor/Coach for the organization. Moreover, he has done numerous public speaking engagements and participated in several camps.

Football Canada would like to thank Kim Wudrick for his service to not only Football Canada but football in Saskatchewan over the decades. His contributions to the growth of the game have been invaluable to the progress of organization.