Reviving senior football at Chippewa
After a nearly ten-year absence, efforts are underway to see senior football return to Chippewa Secondary School.
The Ravens Flight 2026 fundraising campaign has been launched to raise $60,000 and equip a senior team after the junior program was revived two years ago.
Money will be used to purchase new equipment and uniforms for the team.
Officials say the costs associated with equipping an entire high school football team are substantial and simply cannot be covered through the collection of individual player fees.
They add the junior program has quickly become a positive force within the school, strengthening school culture and providing meaningful opportunities for students.
More than 60 Grade 9 and 10 athletes have played on the team over the past two seasons, including second-year player Gavin De Putter.
“Chippewa football changed my life,” he says. “With the support of the coaches and my teammates I learned how to do something completely different from anything I had done before, and this gave me confidence to believe that I could do anything if I worked hard and applied myself. Joining the team was truly one of the best decisions I ever made, and I believe that it is an amazing opportunity for everyone, no matter their size or experience. It is a chance to be a part of something greater than yourself.”
Head Coach Dan Cockburn says the growth of the program over the past two years has been inspiring, noting many athletes arrived with little or no experience.
“The development that we’ve seen in the kids, both as football players and as people, has been incredible,” says Cockburn. “They committed fully to being part of our junior program, and I think it’s vitally important that they get a chance to continue to play football at the Senior level.”
Marley Forrest, a Grade 10 player joined as a newcomer to the sport.
“I was welcomed in with open arms, coaches teaching me the sport while my team supported me through each practice until soon enough, I looked like a real player with a key understanding of the sport,” he says. “This sport has given me the time of my life, built long lasting friendships, taught me life skills, and given me the chance to grow as a person, and I hope I can continue to grow with this program through a senior team.”
Donations can be made at the following link, with tax receipts being provided by the Near North District School Board.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
