NFL GLOBAL JR. CHAMPIONSHIP XI

WELCOME FOOTBALL FANS OF THE WORLD!

On behalf of all the world’s young football players, as well as those who enjoy the spirit and competitiveness of high school football, I want to welcome you to the NFL Global Jr. Championship XI.

I hope you enjoy the football action that will take place in Lockhart Stadium this week, and from it you gain a greater appreciation of the growth of football around the globe. The support of the NFL and its international and youth divisions exemplifies its commitment to the development of the sport everywhere there are youngsters eager to play. It is through the support of the NFL and that of USA Football that this event continues to grow, and we are proud to celebrate the 11th Anniversary of the GJC!

This event celebrates the mission I started thirteen years ago with the formation of Global Football, as top coaches and teenage players from Canada, Japan, Mexico, France, Panama and the USA compete in South Florida. USA Head Coach Mark Guandolo, whose Chaminade-Madonna team captured the 2005 Florida State Championship, and his staff have worked tirelessly to put together a quality team and to host a first-class event. The players were chosen from Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, having been nominated by their coaches, and being true student athlete seniors. They are proud to represent Florida and the USA!

Team France will participate for the second time, having won the 2006 European Jr. Championship. The French Federation, under the leadership of Frederic Paquet, has a comprehensive youth football development program, and Coach Vincent Miraval will bring a solid team representing France and Europe.

In Canada, where football has been played for decades under somewhat different rules, the National Football Federation of Canada has again brought together the best from across the country, with the support of the Canadian Football League. Top college coach Glen Constantine will lead Team Canada for the first time, trying to capture their 3rd straight GJC Championship, having won in Jacksonville and Detroit.!

Japan returns for its seventh appearance, drawing its team from the Tokyo-area schools that comprise the Kantoh League, as well as from the Osaka region, the Kansai League. Coach Shinzu Yamada, a former NFL Europe player, will direct the Japanese squad. They defeated Mexico last year in Detroit for 3rd place.

Mexico will bring an exciting brand of football from south of the border where they have played American football for over 100 years. They will be led by Coach Rafael Duke, a top collegiate coach and Team Mexico head coach for the first time and supported by the Mexican Federation, headed by Jorge Orobio.

Also returning to the GJC after a 6 year absence is Team Panama, led by the newly formed federation and its president Guillermo Suarez and Head Coach Roberto Roy. Panama has an extensive youth football program, a strong structure of support, and now its first NFL player, Frank Davis of the Detroit Lions!

Each of the foreign teams is being hosted by a local high school, without which this event would not be economically or logistically feasible. A special thanks needs to go out to North Broward Prep (Athletic Director Danny Haney & Coach Matt Lazenby)-Japan; Pine Crest High School (Athletic Director Jim Foster & Coach Jim Pletcher)-France; Western High (Coach Doug Dutton)-Mexico; University School (Athletic Director Matt Linick & Coach Roger Harriott)-Panama; and Cardinal Gibbons High School (Coach Mike Morrill)-Canada. These folks, along with dozens of host families, make this event possible!

In addition to those listed above, we would also like to thank the following: USA Football, Wilson, Reebok, Miami Dolphins, Sea Lord Hotel and La Quinta Inn, Lockhart Stadium-Damian Huttenhoff and Rocky Gilliis, South Florida Super Bowl XLI Host Committee-Nicki Epley and Jason Rice, Broward County CVB-Carol Hudson and John Webb, War Memorial Auditorium, along with Tye Sager and his officiating crews. Also, Dr. Zvijac, as well as the host school trainers, have been a key element in keeping everyone ready to play. We hope you enjoy watching the world’s greatest teenage football players compete against their peers from around the globe in the NFL Global Jr. Championship XI.

Live Like a Champion!
Patrick Steenberge
President, Global Football