From L-R: Karl Germann (Superintendent), Kari Prichard (Foundation Executive Director), Ron Regnier (Canadian Tire), Celtics players and Trevor Prichard (Celtic Football Coach) (Photo: Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools

By Shane Clausing

celtic football

Celtic football team receives $10,000 grant to help start Junior Varsity team

Jun 10, 2021 | 5:55 PM

The Celtic football team has received a $10,000 grant from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Sports Fund, through the Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools Education Foundation, to help support the football program.

Because of the last year and a half, the football program based at St. Joseph Catholic High School has been unable to fundraise, which is a big part of what keeps the program afloat.

Head Coach of the Celtic football team, Trevor Prichard, says this money will go a long way in terms of growing the program and the game in Grande Prairie.

“We’ve been tossing around the idea of perhaps putting together a Junior Varsity team for a number of years and our numbers kind of give us that opportunity. We’re going to use that money to make sure we provide safety equipment for our kids.”

Prichard adds this funding is crucial to make sure that kids who want to play football at either St. Joe’s or St. John Paul II aren’t left behind.

“Nothing feels worse as a coach than when you have to look a kid in the eye and let them know their opportunity isn’t there because of a lack of equipment or the numbers, so this gives us a chance to allow all kids to play at St. Joes and St. John Paul II High School.”

Prichard tells EverythingGP given their expected numbers right now, he expects lots of interest from kids in playing for the Junior Varsity team.

“We had 85 (kids) show up for some of our sessions in the winter. We have a huge influx of Grade 9’s going into Grade 10 in our district that is very keen and interested in playing the game of football, which bodes well for us because it keeps our program healthy and the numbers strong for years to come.”

There are plans in the works for Prichard and his program to get back to playing football next year.

Prichard says they’ve scheduled their training camp to begin on August 16.

The camp will feature an exhibition game against Harry Ainlay High School from Edmonton, one of the best programs in the province.

In 2021, Jumpstart has disbursed over $9 million in grants to over 800 sport and recreation organizations across Canada through Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund.