//DATE: Nov. 8, 2007
//For Immediate Release

Finalists Named for 2007 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coaching Award

Winner of national grassroots program to receive $5,000 in new equipment and a $1,000 The Home Depot gift card for their football program; Runners-up to receive $2,000 in new equipment  and a $500 The Home Depot gift card 

Toronto, ON - Ten finalists have been named for the 2007 The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year Award, the NFL announced today. The award, now in its ninth year, is designed to recognize community or high school level coaches across Canada who share a passion for football and dedicate themselves to the development of young players both on and off the field.

The following 10 youth coaches (coaching organized teams of tacklefootball players under the age of 19) are this year's finalists:

Coach
Team/Program/Community
Nominating CIS Player
Dan Pasic
H.B. Beal SS, London, ON
Nick Pasic, WR/University of Western Ontario
Andrew Gouge
Woodbridge College, Woodbridge, ON
Colin Carswell, WR/Acadia
Jeff Green
Chatham-Kent SS & Chatham-Kent Cougars (OVFL), Chatham, ON
Derek Easter, WR/University of Western Ontario
Rob Sharpe
Yorkton Regional HS, Yorkton, SK
Alan Kyle/University of Regina
Mike Circelli
Catholic Central High School, London, ON
Adrian Kaiser, LB/University of Western Ontario
Bruce Haddow
Hugh Boyd SS, Richmond, BC
Andrew McMillan, LB/Acadia University
Curtis McNeil
Sacred Heart Catholic HS, Stittsville, ON
James Campbell, DB/ Queen's University
John Jameson
Riverview HS, Riverview, NB
Mike Miller, DB/Acadia
Gerry Kwapisz
Philemon Wright HS, Gatineau, QC
Nicholas Intscher, LB/McGill University
Murray McDonald
North Surrey SS, Surrey, BC
Rhyss Esteban, DL/Acadia 

CIS football players from across Canada submitted short essays ecognizing the positive impact their former high school, community, or varsity coach had on young players. Players were asked to consider how their coach taught respect, safety, motivation, leadership and appreciation for the game of football when drafting their nominations.

Over the past nine years the program has contributed more than $100,000 in equipment to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the backbone of football in Canada.

"This award is not about wins and losses, it is about the positive impact Canadian coaches can have on young players," said Jay Sweeney, Director of Events and Development at NFL Canada. "We define the youth coach of the year as someone who gives selflessly of his time and shares a love for football in his community."

The winning coach will be selected by a panel of journalists from across Canada and NFL representatives. The winner and runners-up will be announced via press release on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 in Toronto.

$5,000 of new football equipment will be donated to the winning coach's program. The winning coach will also receive a $1,000 The Home Depot gift card (for 'football program related renovation projects', such as field repair, fixing bleachers, painting a locker room, etc.). Project assistance will also be provided by local The Home Depot Associates through Team Depot.

Two runners-up schools will each receive $2,000 in equipment and $500 The Home Depot gift cards, and a total of $3,000 will be awarded to the CIS football programs currently attended by the successful nominating players. Each of the ten short-listed coaches will also receive $100 gift cards from The Home Depot.

The winning coach will also win a trip to Toronto as a guest of the NFL at this year's Vanier Cup celebrations, and will be honoured at the CIS coaches luncheon on Thursday, November 22, 20007, and attend the the Vanier Cup, scheduled to be played the following day at Rogers Centre.

The NFL is a long-time supporter of the game of football at the grassroots level in Canada. Other grassroots initiatives include community 'Flag League' and Junior Player Development. For more information visit www.NFLCanada.com <http://www.nflcanada.com/> .

For more information on The Home Depot NFLYouth Coach of the Year Award, or to receive copies of the essays used to nominate the above listed coaches, please contact:

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Brian Findlay
Stellick Communications/NFL Canada Communications
(416) 802-4062

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