Photo courtesy of Joanna Kurowski Photography

As part of the 2022 Canadian Bowl festivities the CJFL is proud to announce the recipient of the Past Commissioners Community Service Award.  This award is given annually to an outstanding young person playing football for a CJFL team as well as contributing to their community.  

The current CJFL Deputy Commissioner Paul Shortt will present Kevin Ricard of the London Beefeaters with the Past Commissioners Award at the Celebration of Excellence on Friday November 12 in Regina, SK.

This past season Kevin was an 18-year-old rookie for the Beefeaters playing and starting every snap at the right guard position.   With the Beefeaters relying on their run focused offence this past year, he needed to prepare himself each week for a very busy and physical game.

Off the field he had just graduated from London Catholic Central High School and became a manager at a local Wendy’s Restaurant. In the fall of 2023, he has plans to attend Kings College at Western University, financing his own tuition.

This past summer Kevin served as the lead offensive line coach for the London Junior Mustangs Bantam program.  Each week from May to August he spent approximately 20 hours helping with practices, games and prepping the field.

Then in the fall, in addition to playing for the Beefeaters and the time commitment required, he was the offensive and defensive line coach for the CCH Junior Football team.  He would spend 13-18 hours a week on field and prep work. 

If that isn’t enough, Kevin is an active member of the Beefeaters community program participating as a lead volunteer at their beer garden event and the high-school kick-off community program. 

Young people like Kevin Ricard are the reason most volunteers within the CJFL do what they do to make this league one of opportunity.  Kevin teaches all his teammates, opponents and coaches what is important, a rare quality in a young person his age. 

Congratulations Kevin Ricard, the CJFL Past Commissioner Award winner for 2022.