2015 International Bowl: Canada prepares for U18 rematch against US
Photo credit: USA Football
Football Canada’s Under-18 National Team is preparing for their Friday January 30 rematch against Team USA at the 2015 International Bowl series in Arlington, Texas at AT&T (Cowboy) Stadium.
The series of games is a collaboration of the sport’s national governing bodies in each country – USA Football and Football Canada – featuring top student-athletes in football’s greatest annual international competition.
In their inaugural U-18 game in 2014 Canada defeated Team USA 54-9 while the Americans evened the score with a win in the U-19 game.
Canada’s under-18 roster is comprised of 26 tournament all-stars as well as 14 additional standouts that competed July 6-12 at the 2014 Football Canada Cup in Saskatoon. Among the roster of 40, Canada returns four players from last year’s Canadian U-18 International Bowl roster including Gregory Hutchins (Bedford, NS), Payton Hall (Caronport, SK), Samuel Lefebvre (Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, QC) and Marquis Richards (Brampton, ON).
Canada’s U-18 National Team is led by head coach Glen Mills who led Team Ontario to a gold medal victory over Saskatchewan-Green at the 2014 Football Canada Cup in Saskatoon. His staff is made up of coaches from each of the eight participating teams from the under-18 national championship.
The team arrived in Texas on Saturday night and has begun action packed days which include meetings, film breakdown and two-a-day practices.
Following the second day of two-a-day practices head coach Glen Mills likes the effort his team displays in preparation for Team USA under the Friday night lights.
“I think we’re moving along pretty well – Tuesday went exceptionally well, we gained a lot of ground,” Mills said. “Overall they are giving a fantastic effort, we’re competing and I think that’s the most important thing. We understand what we want to do, we’re going to continue to work hard.”
The team brings together the top pre-university players from across the country united by the bond of representing Canada against their football rival.
“We’re coming together pretty easily – it’s only been two days and we’re already having fun together,” said returning offensive lineman, Samuel Lefebvre.
Being a part of the national team builds new bonds while showcases the tremendous amount of talent from across Canada.
“Being a part of this team is great, you make new friends, you see new talent – there are so many talented players out here,” added Lefebvre.
Canada’s talent will be on display Friday night in Texas, hoping to defeat the US Under-18 National Team for a second consecutive year.
About the International Bowl
The 2015 International Bowl marks the second year that Canada’s U-19 and U-18 National Teams will play their U.S. counterparts in Arlington, Texas. The event will feature a week of practices and activities for each level culminating with official international competitions. Canada’s U-18 squad chosen from the 2014 Football Canada Cup (U-18 National Championship) will compete on Friday January 30 at AT&T (Cowboy) Stadium [roster here]. The event will also feature additional games between Canadian provincial teams and U.S. competition at AT&T Stadium.
Schedule
Date |
Time (CT) [+2 AT; +1 ET; -1 MT] |
Event |
Thursday, January 29 | 5:00 PM – U156:15 PM – U167:30 PM – U17 | Jamboree |
Friday, January 30 | 7:30 PM | U18 game |
Saturday January 31 | 1:00 PM | U16 game – US vs. Ontario |
Sat. Jan. 31 | 4:00 PM | U16 game – US vs. Alberta |
Sat. Jan. 31 | 7:30 PM | U17 game – US vs. Ontario |
Saturday February 7 | 1:00 PM | U19 game |
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-international-bowl-us-national-team-vs-canadian-national-team-tickets-13633663655
Follow the conversation
Use the hashtag #IB2015 to follow the conversation on social media. Those that use #IB2015 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram may be featured on http://www.usafootball.com/IB2015.
Webstream
The 2015 International Bowl games will be webstreamed live from Arlington, Texas. The webstream can be accessed on gameday by visiting www.footballcanada.com.