CJFL announces 2009 recipient of the Past Commissioners Community Service Award
The Canadian Junior Football League is proud to announce the 2009 recipient
of the Past Commissioners Community Service Award. This award is given
annually to an outstanding young man playing football for a CJFL team as
well as contributing to his community.
"The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men
aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football
that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community
involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline,
perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong
camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends."
CJFL Past Commissioner Doug Ferne will present Curtis Vizza of the Vancouver
Island Raiders with the Past Commissioners Award at the Intergold Banquet of
Champions Friday November 13th in Nanaimo British Columbia.
This year's recipient epitomizes our mission statement.
Curtis Vizza has not only been an outstanding offensive lineman for the
Vancouver Island Raiders of the British Columbia football Conference but
also as a consummate teammate and a valuable contributor to his community.
2009 is Curtis's fourth and final year with the Raiders. His junior career
includes 2 national championships, 4 BCFC titles, 2 BCFC all star selections
an is the outstanding offensive lineman for the BCFC in 2009.
Football is only one side of Curtis Vizza's positive input and it is his
community involvement that truly exemplifies his commitment to others.
This year Curtis is the recipient of the British Columbia Football
Conference Ron White Award. Well deserved recognition for an individual who
truly loves the game, the people involved and the friendships created.
Curtis understands the importance of community support to the team and is
constantly finding ways to give back to the community. He created Raider Day
at the Boys and Girls Club of Nanaimo, where he and his fellow teammates
would go to the club to play games and read to the boys and girls,
encouraging them to be active and providing positive reinforcement.
Curtis is a volunteer coach for the Nanaimo Redman bantam football team. He
is also an active volunteer at several at several area elementary schools
organizing events, flag football games and creating the opportunity to share
his experiences with young players who may be playing the game for the first
time.
A fully certified personal trainer and group trainer, this summer Curtis
co-organized a Boot Camp for Breast Cancer dedicating numerous hours to this
special event in which all funds raised were donated to breast cancer
research.
Curtis has always been school conscious and will be the first player to earn
his degree through the Vancouver Island Raiders Scholarship Program with his
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sport, Health and Physical Education. He
intends to enter the Education Program to continue his studies leading to
being a teacher and administrator.
When his playing career ends Curtis still wants to continue to be an
integral part of the Vancouver Island Raiders and plans to take on the role
of organizing volunteer events for the team. In talking about his time with
the Raiders Curtis relayed the following.
"I feel that every junior player needs to volunteer, not to satisfy the
needs of the team but to better their community and have a positive impact
on those he shares his time with. Junior football players are a special
breed and the more we can share with those around us the better everyone can
become".
Jack Emerson Low
Media Coordinator
Kak20@rogers.com
