At last, the wait is over – the Niagara Storm Youth Football Organization has “officially” become one of the new proud members of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC). This is long-awaited and exciting news for the Storm, who in prior years competed in the Ontario Minor Football League (OMFL). It should be noted however, that the Niagara Storm have not cut ties entirely with the OMFL. The new Atom team (ages 9-10) will still be competing in that league under legendary Niagara youth football coach, Kent Risko. All of the other divisions, which will include Pee-Wee (ages 11-12), Bantam (ages...

“Tolerance of Intolerance is Cowardice” – Ayaan Hirsi Ali I remember many years back, I was on a ski trip with a large group of co-workers. We had all crossed the border into New York State and travelled to a resort that had a shuttle bus service which brought skiers back and fourth between the lodge and the tubing hill. Sitting happy and relaxed amongst my friends, I wasn’t ready for what I was about to hear. The driver, after looking around the bus, decided (I guess) that because we were all “white-skinned,” it would be okay to start telling “nigger” jokes. As if somehow,...

It’s been a very interesting event-filled off-season thus far for the Niagara Storm youth football organization and today was no exception, as the “Boys in Blue” proudly announced that Coach Brian “B.J.” Malott would be replacing Don Moses as the new Head Coach of the Senior Varsity football program. “I am proud, excited, and pleased to announce that B.J. has accepted the head coaching position for the Storm varsity team,” said club President, Frank Trivieri. “B.J. brings experience and great enthusiasm to the job.” “I’m really...

From an awareness standpoint, life is a whole lot different now than when I was growing up in the 70′s and 80′s. As young athletes, my friends and I were constantly pushing our physical boundaries, with very little regard (if any) for our own personal safety. Between martial arts, “kill the man with the ball” on the Kenney’s hill, and the several years that I spent as an aspiring daredevil skateboarder/bmx racer, I had more than my fair share of minor concussions throughout the years. Getting my “bell rung” was a normal and natural occurrence it seemed....

Ford was asked what was harder—running a football team or working with city council. “These kids listen,” he said. “City council doesn’t.” Okay, I admit it. I’ve never been a big fan of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (that’s putting it mildly), and not because of any personal feeling towards the way that he actually does his job as mayor, but because quite frankly, the media tells us to dislike Rob Ford—so we do, because we all share the common love of hating on politicians and/or public figures who act imperfectly. It has become our greatest social hobby. Rob Ford has been accused...

Today, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Niagara Storm President, Frank Trivieri, to talk about a few surprising changes to the Storm organization, and to discuss his thoughts on how these changes will now impact youth football throughout the entire Niagara and Hamilton Regions. Enjoy! James Ryan: So Frank, what’s the big announcement? What happened this past weekend? Frank Trivieri: Well, the big announcement is that we have been accepted into the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) whole-heartedly, and it’s now just a matter of being rubber-stamped, which is a formality as we’re...

Lance Waldeck asked: What is the best lesson a coach or mentor has taught you? What is the best lesson you teach while coaching and leading others? When I was first asked to teach Customer Relations at Niagara College Canada, I had no prior teaching experience, certifications, or even so much as a University or College education. True story. And yet, despite my apparent lack of qualifications, there was this inherently strong belief around the department and by my peers that I was somehow perfect for the job. Personally, I didn’t get it. And so, I met with the Coordinator at the time, a man...

Mandy Brown asked: What is your favourite memory? The long of the short of it is that I have had a lot of really great moments in my life, but sadly, the thrill and excitement that I used to get from these now distant memories is much like the memory itself: Faded. Becoming the youngest black belt in Ontario for Wado Kai karate? Becoming the youngest club manager in World Gym franchise history? Cutting the Umbilical cord on my first born son, Jacob? Teaching my very first official class at Niagara College with only a high school diploma? Taking over as the Defensive Coordinator for the Fighting...

Drew Barnes asked: Do you have any regrets in life? What is the one dream or inspiration that you want to accomplish? Who is your biggest hero? Everyone regrets something in life. I think I read somewhere that it’s not good to have regrets, but I personally think that’s a load of bullshit. You can always treat other people better. You can always help more. You can always make more of an honest effort to be true to yourself. Do I have regrets? You bet your ass I do. But I don’t live in the past. Regrets are lessons for the future. What’s done is done. All I can do moving...

. . “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”―Eckhart Tolle A few months ago, I had decided to take a “temporary” break from sportswriting and blogging (even though I had announced it publicly as being a more permanent retirement) so that I could step back and work on several other personal and creative projects without having to deal with any other literary responsibilities, distractions or the pressure of a return date. And it worked. As a result of my brief hiatus, I am proud to...