Canada will be looking to avenge a loss to the United States they received three years ago and Moose Jaw native Keegan Arnyek will be on hand to hopefully see that happen.
In 2009, the inaugural International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Under-19 World Championships was held in Canton, Ohio where Team Canada suffered a loss to the United States in the gold medal game.
This year, the championship will be at Burger Stadium in Austin, Texas with eight teams vying for the title, including Japan, Panama, Austria, France, Sweden and American Somoa.
Four players from Saskatchewan are part of the 45-player roster, including offensive lineman Nathan Heide (Warman), defensive linesmen Glen Joorisity (Deer Valley), Brett Wade (Regina) and defensive back Keegan Arnyek (Moose Jaw).
Players flew to Texas this week as training camp began June 23-28 and Canada’s first game will be on June 30 against Sweden. The team could play on July 3 if they lose or July 4 if they win. The bronze and gold medal games take place on July 7.
Noel Thorpe will be the head coach of Team Canada and is a veteran Canadian Football League coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and the Montreal Alouettes and is currently the defensive coordinator at the Université de Montréal.
