July 9, 2009
GEE-GEES FOOTBALL PAIR OFF ON NORTHERN QUEBEC COACHING ADVENTURE
OTTAWA, Ont. - Two Ottawa Gee-Gees football players are en route to northern Quebec for a five-week adventure as youth counsellors and football coaches at the Cree Nation of Chisasibi.
Fullback Craig Bearss and offensive lineman Philippe David drove out of Ottawa Saturday morning and will remain 14 hours north in James Bay teaching six-man football, starting with the basics, to youth aged 13-17 from July 6 to August 10.
"Literally square one," said Bearss (pictured), 24, a six-foot, 235-pound native of Kingston, Ont. who will play his fifth season in the fall. "They have no concept of the game."
The trip is sanctioned by Football Canada.
"To see the Cree way of life will be a great learning experience," said Bearss. "There are some problems with crime and exposure to drugs and alcohol."
The trail to northern Quebec was blazed by graduated Gee-Gees all-time leading passer Josh Sacobie, a Maliseet from the St. Mary's First Nation near Fredericton, who spent two summers in the Cree Nation of Mistissini.
"Josh told us about what he did," said David, 23, of Buckingham, Que., who will play his fourth season in the fall. "I have never really travelled much. The furthest I have been is Windsor."
"They have been talking about this for weeks now," said Gee-Gees head coach Denis Piché.
"They have great facilities to train over there ... so it will not hurt their development. If anything they will focus even more."
Bearss said the journey could be equal to the destination.
"There is a long stretch – about eight hours – of nothing but woods," he said. "It's going to be an unreal experience. To be in a community like that – not too many people have been there."
David, six-foot-two and a shade shy of 300 pounds, said he hopes to teach sport and life skills, but also plans to bring some new talents back.
"Culturally it will be a big thing," said David. "I hope they teach me to fish well and prepare a meal, which would be good, because I am useless in kitchen."
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
Fullback Craig Bearss and offensive lineman Philippe David drove out of Ottawa Saturday morning and will remain 14 hours north in James Bay teaching six-man football, starting with the basics, to youth aged 13-17 from July 6 to August 10.
"Literally square one," said Bearss (pictured), 24, a six-foot, 235-pound native of Kingston, Ont. who will play his fifth season in the fall. "They have no concept of the game."
The trip is sanctioned by Football Canada.
"To see the Cree way of life will be a great learning experience," said Bearss. "There are some problems with crime and exposure to drugs and alcohol."
The trail to northern Quebec was blazed by graduated Gee-Gees all-time leading passer Josh Sacobie, a Maliseet from the St. Mary's First Nation near Fredericton, who spent two summers in the Cree Nation of Mistissini.
"Josh told us about what he did," said David, 23, of Buckingham, Que., who will play his fourth season in the fall. "I have never really travelled much. The furthest I have been is Windsor."
"They have been talking about this for weeks now," said Gee-Gees head coach Denis Piché.
"They have great facilities to train over there ... so it will not hurt their development. If anything they will focus even more."
Bearss said the journey could be equal to the destination.
"There is a long stretch – about eight hours – of nothing but woods," he said. "It's going to be an unreal experience. To be in a community like that – not too many people have been there."
David, six-foot-two and a shade shy of 300 pounds, said he hopes to teach sport and life skills, but also plans to bring some new talents back.
"Culturally it will be a big thing," said David. "I hope they teach me to fish well and prepare a meal, which would be good, because I am useless in kitchen."
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
