One of the CJFL awards given out next week on the lead up to the 2015 Canadian Bowl will be the Past Commissioners Award.  The honour is given out to an individual(s) that has displayed excellent community involvement.

The BCFC's representative is Hunter Lake and Alex Wright from the Westshore Rebels, who were honoured with the Ron White Award at the Cullen Cup.

Here is their nomination:

The Ron White award was established to represent the blue collar hard working image of this league; the respect and the recognition gained by ethical conduct, involvement and recognition within the community. We have had 13 amazing young men who have won this award since 2002.

This year we are recognizing two young men, their team and their commitment to their community.  This starts with a very special team, the Westshore Rebels who in 2014 committed to make a positive impact on their community as well as helping with the development of community football on the Island. In 2014, the players, coaches and directors volunteered 209 hours to their community, that level of commitment is truly outstanding. In 2015 they went a step further with a new and deeper. Commitment to the community. “Bold, Strong, Competitive and Involved” says it all.  

Alex Wright, a rookie, is from Sooke where he first started playing football at the age of 10. Hunter Lake is in his third year with the team. He is from Richmond where he started playing football at Hugh Boyd Secondary.  Hunter was named to the BCFC All Star team as a wide receiver. He also received the offensive player of the week in week 10, with his impressive performance at quarterback. Both players are described as exceptional athletes and leaders on and off the field.

Alex and Hunter put in eight hour work shifts in their respective jobs each weekday. Every Sunday both players show up at the Talley Ho Sports Pub where they assist with the 50/50 fundraiser for the team.

Both athletes are committed to the many Rebel community activities. Donating blood to the Canadian Red Cross. (The team is a member of the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program.) McHappy Day to raise funds for families in need. C-Fax Santa Anonymous. The Wounded Warriors Walk and the Millstream Market.

What sets these two young men apart is their work with the Greater Victoria Minor Football Association. They attend practices and games and help with drills.  They also take the time to work with individual players who are struggling with self-esteem and teach them about the values of team work.

We have a letter of support from Chuck, a father of a pee wee football player:

“There are times when I think, how do I get my kids motivated to get out and actually do something that is all around good for them physically, mentally, and emotionally? The challenge these days is that the “not stop stimulating “media and games are easy for our kids to get hooked on, and have little or no benefits.
    
Our son Dylan started football last year, and although he liked it, he had his reservations. It was more physical and demanding than any game and kept pulling him out of his comfort zone and forced him to interact with others and take criticism, when it was given.
    
Dylan was fortunate to meet the Westshore Rebels Football Team, and watch and learn how “The Guys " would work together, helping each other out, takes criticism in a constructive way, and generally interact with one another with respect and confidence. I have watched the players “buddy up " with not just my son, but any kid who shows an interest in Football or just wanting to be around the guys.

To my son these guys are the greatest. He has opened up a lot more, and has become more confident in the way he acts with others and the decisions that he makes. Sports are great for kids, and all alike. But to have great players and role models,( like Hunter and Alex )on the Rebel Football Team, makes it real for my son; and he has taken the life lessons that he is learning and applying them to the way he lives his life. A huge thank you to Elise Pastro and the Westshore Rebels Football Team.”

This award at the BCFC level acts as a nomination at the CJFL level for the 2015 Past Commissioner's Community Service Award.  Alex and Hunter are the BCFC representatives when the award is announced the week of the 2015 Canadian Bowl.