FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Football Nova Scotia Announces Inaugural CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge April 12, 2026 – Halifax, NS

Football Nova Scotia and the CFL is proud to announce the launch of the CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge, a new annual event bringing together the top provincial flag football athletes from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The inaugural competition will take place April 12, 2026, at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“The CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge represents a huge leap forward for our sport in Atlantic Canada,” said Karen Ouellette, Football Nova Scotia’s Executive Director. “Bringing all three provinces together in a high performance environment elevates the level of competition and gives our athletes meaningful preparation for the national stage.”

This one day regional showcase will feature U14, U16, U18, and U19 divisions competing in a full round robin series. More than 350 athletes, coaches, and officials will participate, making it one of the most anticipated flag football events to be hosted in Atlantic Canada.

The Challenge serves as a key preparation stage for all three provinces ahead of the 2026
National Elite Championships. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will use the event as the final step in their travel team selection process, while Prince Edward Island arrives with finalized rosters ready for high performance competition.

Building on the long-standing Nova Scotia and New Brunswick pre-Football Canada Cup tackle series, the Maritime Challenge, this new tri-provincial format marks a major step forward in the growth and visibility of flag football across the Atlantic region. Football Nova Scotia intends for the CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge to become a permanent annual fixture on the Atlantic football calendar.

“We’re incredibly proud to have the CFL’s support behind this event,” said Ouellette. “Their investment in flag football is a powerful signal of the sport’s growth and potential in our region. It strengthens our pathway for young athletes, raises the profile of the game, and helps us build a stronger football community across the Maritimes. The energy, the talent, and the momentum behind flag football here are undeniable, and this event is only the beginning.”

Games will run throughout the day across multiple fields at Saint Mary’s University, beginning in the morning and continuing into the late afternoon. Each age division will play a complete round-robin series, giving fans the chance to watch fast-paced, high-skill flag football from some of the top young athletes in the Maritimes.

Spectators are encouraged to come out, cheer on their province, and experience the excitement of elite flag football. Admission is free, and all games are open to the public.

The full schedule is available here: 2026 CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge

Football Nova Scotia is pleased to unveil the 2025 Scotia Bowl Provincial Championship schedules.

Over a three-weekend span, players and coaches will participate in atom, peewee and bantam divisions in the Scotia Bowl Provincial Championships.

The action begins on Friday October 24, 2025 with games the entire weekend at Cole Harbour Turf in Dartmouth. Weekend 2 of the playoffs will be held at No. 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility (formerly TAAC Grounds) in Truro on November 1-2, 2025. The culmination of the playoff schedule is championship weekend, slated to take place on November 8-9, 2025 at Acadia University’s Raymond Field in Wolfville.

Game schedules and playoff brackets can be found on Football Nova Scotia’s website as well as on social media channels. Event passes for the championships will cover all three weekends of games. The cost for event passes is:

    The cost for event passes is:

• $25 for adults (19 years and older)

• $15 for students (11-18 years old).

Day passes will also be available for purchase. The cost is:

·       $10 for adults (19 years and older)

·       $5 for students (11-18 years old)

·       Free admission for children ages 10 and under

There will also be an opportunity to purchase apparel with the championship branded logo as Football Nova Scotia apparel.

Please follow Football Nova Scotia’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and X) for all Scotia Bowl news including games, schedules and all the action from the playoffs.

Football Nova Scotia is now accepting assistant coaching applications for 2026 Provincial Tackle season.

Please complete the application and send along with a coaching resume to Bryce Fisher (bfisher@sportnovascotia.ca).

Application deadline is Friday November 14, 2025.

Football Nova Scotia is now accepting head coaching applications for 2026 Provincial Tackle season.

Please complete the application and send along with a coaching resume to Bryce Fisher (bfisher@sportnovascotia.ca).

Application deadline is Friday November 14, 2025.

Football Nova Scotia is now accepting coaching applications for the 2026 Elite Provincial Flag season.

Please complete the application and send along with a coaching resume to Bryce Fisher (bfisher@sportnovascotia.ca), When you apply, please indicate which team and coaching position (s) (head coach, coordinator, position coach) that interests you.

Application Deadline is October 29, 2025.

TOURNAMENT DATE: 

May 14-18, 2026: FC Elite Flag Nationals - Kingston, ONT

(Antigonish, NS) – For the third time, Nova Scotia will host the Football Canada Cup tournament this summer.

St. Francis Xavier (StFX) University in Antigonish will serve as the official host for the top under-18 players in the nation to compete in Football Canada’s marquee tournament. The championship will take place July 12-20, 2025.

Nova Scotia will be one of eight provinces battling for gold. The others include defending champion Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia.

Not only is this an opportunity to represent their province, but it will be the chance to showcase their talents and use this as a competitive measuring stick. Several universities typically use this tournament to help them with future recruiting plans.

It marks the third time Nova Scotia has hosted the national tournament. Wolfville's Acadia University served as host in 2010 and 2017.

Not only will the Football Canada Cup be held in Antigonish, but so will the Under-16 East Region Challenge. In 2017, Nova Scotia hosted the inaugural tournament and won the championship on the home field in Wolfville. This will mark the third time the event is hosted in Nova Scotia, and second straight year it will be held in Antigonish. Nova Scotia will be looking to improve on their bronze medal finish in 2024.

The East Region Challenge features two-day tournament which the opening day’s winning and losing teams will play one another in day two. Defending champion Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick will battle for gold along with host Nova Scotia. The tournament will run from July 14-19, 2025.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the Football Canada Cup and East Region Challenge once again,” says Football Nova Scotia Executive Director Karen Ouellette. “Our provincial programs have grown significantly since the last two times we hosted both tournaments.”

“Bringing these events back to Nova Scotia allows our athletes to play against the top talent across the country in front of family, friends, community, and home crowds. The Football Canada Cup is one of the most anticipated events in the summer calendar. It will showcase the sport and help us to develop grassroots football across the province. The East Region Challenge is the starting point to develop players while introducing them to tournament style competition.”

StFX is looking forward to hosting the nation in July in Antigonish and the organizing committee is busily preparing to host one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year on the football calendar in Canada.

“Bringing the Football Canada Cup and Eastern Challenge to life in Nova Scotia for the third time is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of talent, community, and the love of the game,” said Dave Van Den Heuvel, Chair of the 2025 Football Canada Cup Organizing Committee. “Football Nova Scotia, StFX, and our passionate community have an incredible opportunity to make history, and we couldn’t be more excited. The dedication of our organizing committee and StFX will ensure that these tournaments not only deliver top-tier competition, but also creates lasting memories for every athlete, visitor, and supporter who joins us in Antigonish.”

Secure your tickets now (prices listed in the links):

Multi event pass (good for both events): https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballMEP

2025 Football Canada Cup:

https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballCC

U16 East Region Challenge:

https://tprostfx.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/FootballEC

(NOTE: If there are any issues when purchasing tickets, please contact StFX Box Office at 902-867-3304)

For updates about the 2025 Football Canada Cup and Under-16 East Region Challenge, please follow Football Nova Scotia’s Facebook, Instagram, Instagram threads, and X feeds.

Football Nova Scotia would like to announce that Scott Borden Jr. is returning back to the helm as head coach for the provincial under-16 team.

The Halifax, Nova Scotia native will lead the under-16 squad at the 2025 Football Canada

Eastern Challenge at St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.

Under Borden’s leadership in 2024, Nova Scotia claimed bronze at the 2024 Eastern Challenge.

With a strong foundation in the sport, Borden Jr. continues to bring his tremendous

experience to the position. He is a coach with the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) Mount Allison Mounties.

Previous to the Mounties, Borden Jr. was quality control and quarterback coach with Saint

Mary’s Huskies for three seasons (2019-2022).

Borden has previous provincial coaching experience, having been a coach on different teams for

the past six seasons. Borden Jr.’s work on these teams has had an impact as it led to further

development of the sport in Nova Scotia.

As a player, Borden Jr. was a quarterback for the University of Manitoba Bisons and the Huskies

at the USPORTS level. Previously, he suited up for the Westshore Rebels of the Canadian Junior

Football League (CJFL) and his high school team, the Halifax West Warriors.

Borden Jr. is a coach who strives to bring out the best in players while fostering a positive

environment for athletes.

PROVINCIAL UNDER-16 TEAM:

HEAD COACH: Scott Borden
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE BACKS: Devon Parris
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/WIDE RECEIVERS: Ryan Foster
QUARTERBACKS: Michael Petroschke
OFFENSIVE LINE: Sean Reardon
LINEBACKERS: Hunter Ryan
DEFENSIVE LINE: Adrien Grant Jr.
RUNNING BACKS: Liam McConville
QUARTERBACKS/MENTEE: Olivia Thurier
GENERAL MANAGER: Susanna Baard

Jon Dyer returns as head coach for the provincial under-18 team.

The Halifax, Nova Scotia native will lead the under-18 squad at the 2025 Football Canada Cup in Antigonish.

In 2025, Nova Scotia placed eight at the national tournament

Dyer has extensive coaching experience that has equated to success. Most notably, he was on

the Citadel Phoenix coaching staff for 14 seasons in different roles including co-head coach and

offensive coordinator. During his tenure between 2008-2022, the Phoenix won 12 provincial

high school championships.

On the international stage, Dyer joined Football Canada’s coaching staff in a couple of different

capacities. He was the offensive coordinator for the National Men’s under-18 team at the 2020

International Bowl in Texas. Furthermore, Dyer was a mentor coach for the Junior Men’s

under-19 team at the 2018 International Bowl.

Dyer is no stranger to the provincial under-18 team. In 2019, he served as the offensive

coordinator of the squad that represented Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup that was

held in Kingston, Ontario. Additionally, he was an Offensive Assistant of the team that

competed in the 2018 tournament in Calgary, Alberta, and the 2016 event in Winnipeg,

Manitoba where the team placed sixth.

Before his coaching career, Dyer played for the Atlantic University Sport’s Mount Allison

Mounties for four seasons (2003-2007). Previous to that, he suited up for the Queen Elizabeth

Lions for his high school career (2000-2002). Representing his home province, Dyer played for

the provincial under-18 team at both the 2002 and 2003 Football Canada Cup tournaments,

Dyer was the team captain for all those teams.

PROVINCIAL UNDER-18 TEAM:

HEAD COACH: Jon Dyer
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Adam Melanson
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Andre Goguen
SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE BACKS: Jermaine Gabriel
OFFENSIVE LINE: Che Morales
DEFENSIVE LINE: Isaac Melanson
WIDE RECEIVERS: Tyler Wilson
LINEBACKERS: Ben Von Muehldorfer
DEFENSIVE BACKS/MENTEE: Riley Gabriel
GENERAL MANAGER: Mary Shannon
EQUIPMENT MANAGER: Gord Chase

Football Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Elite Performance Program.

Under the guidance of high performance coaches, athletes will have the opportunity to train, grow and excel. Through this program, athletes get access to elite-level resources and trainers. The program has helped over 100 athletes compete at the NCAA and USPORTS level.

Programming includes:

·         Comprehensive Training:

o   Training at the gym with certified strength coaches twice a week

o   Field Skill Development twice a month

o   10 track sessions with strength and conditioning

o   Mental and nutritional training

• Skills Development:

• Learning to compete and develop at a national level

Important Dates

Women’s:

·         Deadline for applications to the program is Friday November 14, 2024

·         Program begins on January 7, 2025 and will run until May 1, 2025.

Tackle:

·         Deadline for applications to the program is Friday November 21, 2024

·         Program begins on January 21, 2025 and will run into June 17, 2025

Invitations for both programs will be sent out by November 25, 2024.

Training Locations:

·         Burke Performance Training in Halifax (Gym)

·         Canada Games Centre in Halifax (Track)

·         West Hants Sportsplex in Windsor (Fridays)

To apply for the 2025 Elite Performance Program, please send along game film, years of playing experience and why you want be part of the program to sborden@sportnovascotia.ca

Don’t miss out on your chance to grow and compete at an elite level!

Football Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Metro NFL Flag League (formally known as Jr. Huskies).

This year, the league will begin on April 12, 2025 and run until the end of playoffs on June 16, 2025. There are 12 divisions including:

• Under-8 Fundamental

• Under-10 Fundamental

• Under-10 Open

• Under-10 Women’s

• Under-12 Open

• Under-12 Women’s

• Under-14 Open

• Under-14 Women’s

• Under-16 Open

• Under-16 Women’s

• Under-18 Open

• Under-18 Women’s

The registration cost for the league is $290.00, except for the fundamental league, which is $190.00.

Registration will be open for participants and coaches until February 20, 2025. Do not miss out on your chance to participate in the 2025 Metro NFL Flag League!

Football Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the Top Performers of the 2024 Jr. and Sr. Combines.

Note: For a list of all the 2024 Jr. and Sr. Combine Performances please click the following link, athletes can find their performance based on the ID Number they received for testing: Sr. Combine and Jr. Combine

Sr. Combine Top Performers:

40 yard Dash (sec.)

Deaglan Nichol - 4.72s

Kamden Brooks - 4.91s

Avery Wilson - 4.92s

Vertical Jump (in)

Emerik Obradovic-vom Scheidt - 33.5"

Emmett Mont - 33"

Noah Skeete - 32.5"

Broad Jump (Ft)

Jacob Frank - 9'3"

Kamden Brooks - 9'2"

Landon Tomlin - 9'1"

Pro Agility (Sec.)

Avery Wilson - 4.35s

Emmett Mont - 4.36s

Leo Mont - 4.37s

Jr. Combine Top Performers:

40 yard Dash (sec.)

Marlon Fletcher - 5.19s

Ethan Duncan - 5.23s

Jacob Lescheid - 5.31s

Vertical Jump (in)

Laidin Cornell - 31"

Ben Nicholson - 29.5"

Thomas van Nie - 27.5"

Broad Jump (Ft)

Marlon Fletcher - 8'9"

Luca Barreiro - 8'1"

Laidin Cornell - 8'0"

Pro Agility (Sec.)

Jacob Lescheid - 4.58s

Marlon Fletcher - 4.59s

Benjamin Richards - 4.7s

Note: For a list of all the 2024 Jr. and Sr. Combine Performances please click the following link, athletes can find their performance based on the ID Number they received for testing: Sr. Combine and Jr. Combine