‘We're there to win': New Brunswick flag football team makes history
Rocky Stone Field in Moncton isn't quite the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, but Moncton's version of the Green Bay Packers hit the turf for practice on Tuesday.
The U-14 NFL flag spring team recently won the city and provincial championships finishing a perfect season at 16-0.
Wide receiver Hudson Hughes didn't think they would get that far.
'We thought we'd do pretty good, but we started off a little bit slow, but we came up from there,' said Hudson.
Packers head coach Chris Clem said it was a total team effort.
'There's no selfish players on this team. Everyone plays. Everything seemed to click just the right way,' said Chris.
Quarterback Max Giffard and wide receiver Sebastien Robinson credited the coaching staff.
'The plays were really good. Good coaching and everyone worked their hardest,' said Max.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers U-14 NFL flag team is pictured. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett)
Sebastien said Coach Clem is great to work with.
'I've had him for four years maybe, on tackle and flag. He just helped me a lot. He's a really good coach,' said Sebastien.
Now, the Greater Moncton Football Association Green Bay Packers are going to the national championships in August in Brampton, Ont., to represent New Brunswick.
Coach Clem said they're the first U-14 team from the province to do so, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids and a summer trip they'll never forget.
'Twenty years from now they'll be able to point back and say we were the first team to represent New Brunswick,' said Chris.
Hudson said everyone is excited.
'I think four or five teams we're guaranteed to play against from other provinces, so we're really excited about that. Obviously, we're there to win, but I think that will be the best part of the experience,' said Hudson.
Coach Tabatha Clem said this is an opportunity that most kids their age don't get to have.
'These kids are all destined for great things, so they'll do great things in life, but this is just a little piece of history in the making for us,' said Tabatha.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers U-14 NFL flag team is pictured. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett)
With players from four different communities, it really is a Greater Moncton team.
'The thing that's special about them is they come from all different parts of the city to play together,' said Chelsea Hughes, Hudson's mother. 'They have just really gelled as a group and it's so fun to watch them.'
Flag football is played with fewer players on a shorter field and is a bit faster paced than tackle football, with a lot of passing and high scoring games.
Defensive back Xander Dickenson plays both tackle and flag and said there's lots to like about the spring and summer game.
'Probably just the thrill of it, it's really fun,' said Xander.
The team is now in full-on fundraiser mode trying to come up with the money needed to help pay for travel, accommodations and meals.
'We've been really lucky to have some corporate sponsors step up to help these families make it feasible during hard times,' said Chelsea. 'We're committed to raising $20,000 to help families pay for the travel.
The national championship runs from Aug. 15 to 17 in Brampton, Ont.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
36 minutes ago
- National Post
CFL suspends B.C. Lions' Kemoko Turay for post-game melee in Montreal
Article content The incident occurred following B.C.'s 21-20 road win over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday night, which ended on Sean Whyte's 43-yard field goal. Turay and Montreal defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund became involved in an altercation outside the Alouettes' locker room, prompting others to join in. Article content Article content Turay received a one-game ban for committing a non-football act — inciting a post-game altercation. Adeyemi-Berglund and Montreal's M.J. Sherman received fines for committing a non-football act — engaging in a post-game altercation — while Alouettes offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage was also fined for making inappropriate contact with a TSN camera operator. Article content Tempers flared after the game Lions/Alouettes game in Montreal tonight 👀 — TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 6, 2025 Article content CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston oversees suspendible offences, while discipline is handled by the league's department of health, safety and integrity. Article content The department includes chief football operations officer Greg Dick, vice-president of officiating Darren Hackwood, associate vice-president of football operations Ryan Janzen and associate vice-president of health and safety Eric Noivo. Article content 'Non-football acts negatively impact the reputation and professional standing of the CFL and they will not be tolerated,' Johnston said in a statement. 'These actions do not reflect the values of our league. Article content 'The post-game altercation in Montreal became an unnecessary focal point, taking away from an incredibly entertaining game won on the final play.' Article content The CFL also announced Wednesday that Ottawa linebacker Frankie Griffin was fined for delivering a high hit on Edmonton quarterback Tre Ford. Article content
CTV News
42 minutes ago
- CTV News
Jays fever is hotter than ever!
Atlantic Watch Canada's Major League Baseball team is on a roll – and fans are loving it.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Halifax senior hockey player logs 4,000 hockey games
When Mike Fougere retired from the Halifax Dockyard 17 years ago, he began filling his time with hockey and kept track of the games he played. Mike Fougere does not have his driver's license. He takes a cab everywhere, even when he goes to the rink, which is sometimes daily. When Fougere retired from the Halifax Dockyard 17 years ago, he began filling his time with hockey and kept track of the games he played. 'I wrote them down and I put them in the calendar,' said Fougere, who is now 67 years old and has reached a milestone for number of games played. 'Tonight is 4,000,' he said earlier this week at Centennial Arena in Hallifax. His personal record for games in one year is a staggering 305. 'I love the challenge, and it keeps me in shape,' said Fougere, who added playing hockey is also good for his mental health, and he enjoys playing alongside his friends. At age 67, with thousands of games under his belt, he knows what makes him a good goalie. 'I'm competitive, and I don't give up on the puck,' said Fougere. 'That's what they say.' Fougere's said his wife supports his never-ending hockey schedule which keeps getting busier. 'Once on Monday, then I play two times in a row on Tuesday, and then the summer league at the Halifax Civic Arena, then two shinny games on Thursday and then a game on Friday,' he said. It is a source of amazement for his teammates. 'It's unbelievable how much of an inspiration Mike is, just showing up in the rink four or five times a week to play hockey,' said his teammate, Matt Jardine. 'I hope at Mike's age I'll be the same way.' Fougere wants to keep playing if his body holds up and would like to play another 25 years, which would take him into his 90's. Fougere thinks it is possible, and he hopes other seniors follow his example to always stay active. 'All you got to do is move,' said Fougere. 'I walk every day and keep moving. People my age need to find something they like to do.' In Mike Fougere's case, he likes playing hockey, four thousand times over a 17-year period.
