‘We’re there to win’: New Brunswick flag football team makes history

A group of Moncton football players are about to embark on a summer trip they’ll never forget.

Rocky Stone Field in Moncton isn’t quite the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, but Moncton’s version of the Green Bay Packers hit the turf for practice on Tuesday.

The U-14 NFL flag spring team recently won the city and provincial championships finishing a perfect season at 16-0.

Wide receiver Hudson Hughes didn’t think they would get that far.

“We thought we’d do pretty good, but we started off a little bit slow, but we came up from there,” said Hudson.

Packers head coach Chris Clem said it was a total team effort.

“There’s no selfish players on this team. Everyone plays. Everything seemed to click just the right way,” said Chris.

Quarterback Max Giffard and wide receiver Sebastien Robinson credited the coaching staff.

“The plays were really good. Good coaching and everyone worked their hardest,” said Max.

Sebastien said Coach Clem is great to work with.

“I’ve had him for four years maybe, on tackle and flag. He just helped me a lot. He’s a really good coach,” said Sebastien.

Now, the Greater Moncton Football Association Green Bay Packers are going to the national championships in August in Brampton, Ont., to represent New Brunswick.

Coach Clem said they’re the first U-14 team from the province to do so, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids and a summer trip they’ll never forget.

“Twenty years from now they’ll be able to point back and say we were the first team to represent New Brunswick,” said Chris.

Hudson said everyone is excited.

“I think four or five teams we’re guaranteed to play against from other provinces, so we’re really excited about that. Obviously, we’re there to win, but I think that will be the best part of the experience,” said Hudson.

Coach Tabatha Clem said this is an opportunity that most kids their age don’t get to have.

“These kids are all destined for great things, so they’ll do great things in life, but this is just a little piece of history in the making for us,” said Tabatha.

With players from four different communities, it really is a Greater Moncton team.

“The thing that’s special about them is they come from all different parts of the city to play together,” said Chelsea Hughes, Hudson’s mother. “They have just really gelled as a group and it’s so fun to watch them.”

Flag football is played with fewer players on a shorter field and is a bit faster paced than tackle football, with a lot of passing and high scoring games.

Defensive back Xander Dickenson plays both tackle and flag and said there’s lots to like about the spring and summer game.

“Probably just the thrill of it, it’s really fun,” said Xander.

The team is now in full-on fundraiser mode trying to come up with the money needed to help pay for travel, accommodations and meals.

“We’ve been really lucky to have some corporate sponsors step up to help these families make it feasible during hard times,“ said Chelsea. “We’re committed to raising $20,000 to help families pay for the travel.

The national championship runs from Aug. 15 to 17 in Brampton, Ont.

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