Skyhawks football is pleased to introduce Leith Fisken as the clubs' new head coach for the 2025 season.

Leith Fisken attended Donald A. Wilson highschool in Whitby Ontario. During his remarkable high school career as a quarterback, Leith was able to lead the Gators to three L.O.S.S.A titles and two Metro Bowl appearances. Leith would also represent Team Ontario in 2007 under Acadia University legend Lee Barette and offensive guru Chris Coulson.  After being named the 2009 Senior Football most valuable player for the Gators, Leith attended the University of Ottawa. While there Leith played four seasons for the Ottawa Junior Riders in the QJFL under Max Palladino and Robert Bento. During his time with the Junior Riders he was able to capture a QJFL championship in 2010 and the team’s most valuable offensive player award in 2011. During Leith’s time in Ottawa, Leith was mentored by Canadian football Hec Crighton winners Brad Sinopoli and Larry Mohr. Following his graduation from Ottawa University, Leith spent one season with the Ottawa Invaders under former Texas-El Paso Miners (NCAA Divison 1) and Ottawa GeeGees quarterback, Wayne Jacobs. Leith enjoyed working with coach Jacobs and fellow quarterback colleague, Jeff Hildreth from Bishops University.

Leith’s coaching career began in 2013 with Ashbury College as a quarterback coach, under the watchful eye of former Toronto Argo and Queens Gael, Jon Landon. Ashbury was able to capture the CISAA championship that season before falling in the semi-finals of the Metro Bowl.

Following the CISAA season Leith moved back home to Whitby and played three seasons with the GTA All-Stars where he would team up with Hec Crighton winner Tommy Dennison, the formidable quarterback duo finished the 2014 season number one and number three in the league in all passing categories respectfully. Following his rookie season with GTA, Leith would have a brief stint in the CJFL becoming the starting quarterback for the now dissolved Burlington Braves.

After taking a brief break from football, Leith moved to Quinte West in 2016 where he and his wife Veronica and two young children reside today. In 2017, Leith teamed up with President and Coach Peter Gabriel, for the inaugural season of the Quinte Skyhawks. After the season Leith would step away to focus on his professional career. Fast forward to 2024 Leith returned to the Skyhawks for the U14 OSFL fall season as both a quarterback coach and offensive assistant. The team would go on to finish the season 6-1 before falling in the semi-finals of the OSFL championship. Leith is excited for his new opportunity with an exceptional organization and looks to lead the Quinte Skyhawks into national contention in the near future. Leith is a proven winner and leader both on and off the football field, and will demand his players respect the game, embrace the community, and wear the Skyhawks name with pride!

Over the course of the year each CJFL team gives back to the community.  Whether that is helping at local food banks, visiting hospitals and senior assisted living facilities to have tea or to clean up roadside garbage, teams and players alike love to give back.  

The Rick Smoke Community Service Team Award is given to a CJFL team that collectively logs hours and hours of volunteer time, getting their hands in several community organizations.  The Hamilton Hurricanes seem to do it better than anyone else across the country.

Following up on their 2023 Rick Smoke team Award for community service this year’s Hurricanes team saw the organization build on their commitment to community service.  2024 was the most active the organization has ever been, as the team amassed over a staggering 1,850 person hours of volunteer work in the Hamilton community.  The Canes ran a food drive that collected over 2,000lbs of food for Hamilton Out of the Cold plus raised $1,500.00 in cash donations during the two-Day food drive.  As part of their Pack the Park initiative in which the Hurricanes set a new attendance record for an Ontario Conference regular season game, they raised and donated $4,000 dollars split between Hamilton Out of the Cold and Food 4 Kids charities.  Through the forgoing events and other fund-raising initiatives, the Hurricanes raised and donated over $6,500 dollars to local charities in the past 12 months.
The CJFL would like to recognize the Hamilton Hurricanes as the 2024 Rick Smoke Community Service team award winners for outstanding community service.  Congratulations! 

About the Rick Smoke Award:

The Rick Smoke Memorial Volunteer Recognition Award is named for former CJFL Treasurer Rick Smoke, who passed away suddenly in 2013. Rick dedicated many years to junior football at the team and conference level, and over 25 years on the CJFL Executive as Treasurer. Junior football is successful because of the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. This award, to honour Rick’s memory, is a tribute to celebrate and recognize the volunteers, past and present.