The following is the press release mentioning his hiring – enjoy the read and Congratulations!!!

He was the former Lotus F1 CEO and Team Principal and Business Development Director for Lille Olympic Soccer Club, 

He brings an impressive array of leadership experience in sports management, business development and revenue growth that will strongly support BC Rugby’s vision of becoming the safest, most vibrant, and inclusive Rugby community.

He joins BC Rugby at a pivotal time as the organization continues to implement initiatives aimed at growing the sport throughout the province, enhancing the overall experience for its Members, and ensuring a sustainable future for Rugby in British Columbia.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Carter as the new Chief Executive Officer of BC Rugby,” said Bob Strachan, BC Rugby President. “His strong background in executive leadership, business development and sports management make him uniquely suited to lead the organization forward. We believe Matthew will be a transformative leader who will drive growth and innovation, while maintaining a commitment to our strong community values.”

Carter’s appointment follows an extensive and comprehensive search conducted by the BC Rugby Board of Directors in collaboration with a leading executive recruitment firm. His impressive track record includes over 25 years of experience in venture capitalism, business development and sports management.

Carter spent 15 years as a Business Specialist for a venture capital firm based in England before he was appointed CEO and Team Principal for the Lotus F1 Team in 2013. At Lotus F1, Carter was responsible for the daily operations of the team and oversaw over 600 staff members from factory to trackside.

In 2016, Carter was appointed as Business Development Director at Lille Olympic Soccer Club, where he spent two years developing partnerships and growing revenue streams for the French Ligue 1 team.

Carter was named as President and CEO of One Stop Strategy in 2019, where he worked on strategic sponsorships and event management across the motorsport industry, most notably securing the rights for Formula E in Canada.

Carter joins BC Rugby as a Founder and Partner of SC Consulting, a firm that focuses on building strategic partnerships and securing sponsorship deals within the sports industry.

“It is an honour and a privilege to lead BC Rugby into an exciting period for the sport in this province,” said Carter. “Rugby in British Columbia is more than a game – it’s a community, a culture and a vehicle for positive impact. I am excited to work alongside our dedicated staff, board, clubs and volunteers to build on BC Rugby’s strong foundation.”

As the new BC Rugby CEO, Carter will lead a dedicated team responsible for delivering key programming, managing competitions and events, supporting athlete pathways, and advocating for the growth and development of Rugby at all levels across British Columbia.

The BC Rugby Board of Directors would like to thank Interim CEO, John Tait, for his steady leadership and contributions over the past several months.

Tait will continue to support the transition process to ensure a seamless handover before resuming his role as BC Rugby Technical Director.

Sportswave wishes him all the best in his new role!!!!

The post Matthew Carter Named CEO For BC Rugby first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

One has to wonder if the world has become paranoid surrounding the world of sports in which kids at a young age are getting injured and want to put a ban on physical contact.

We posted this earlier in the year but since then there has or still is much concern surrounding player safety for today’s youth which everyone will have their own opinion.

Enjoy the read:

One area or state is California where the law makers are planning to introduce a bill that is focused to reduce the risk of brain injury by banning tackle football for children under the age of 12.

We hear that it has gotten past the ten-yard line after a legislative committee voted for the measure to be considered by the state Assembly.

The bill is fully  supported by various advocates who want to protect kids from brain damage but as you can imagine is strongly opposed by coaches in the area who are worried that it would cut off youths from any source of physical activity.

Knowing and hearing about the above it’s interesting to note that California Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned early last year stating “I will not sign legislation that bans youth tackle football,” Newsom said in a statement late Tuesday. “I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but an outright ban is not the answer.”

It’s rare for Newsom, a father of four now in his second term, to publicly weigh in on legislation before it reaches his desk. But his decision to quash the proposed ban on youth tackle football before it even got a vote in the Legislature could save him from questions on the campaign trail this year as he acts as a surrogate for President Joe Biden’s reelection.

We are told that a legislative committee voted 5 to 2 at a public hearing to further advance the bill authored by Democratic Assembly member Kevin McCarty. 

Thankfully at present it is far from passing and must clear the state Assembly prior to the end of January allowing any chance of becoming a law in 2026.

Any proposed amendments brought forward would slowly be phased in through 2029 and all indications the bill has been gaining wide popularity across the nation, mainly for girls.

Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and former Harvard football player and WWE professional wrestler recently mentioned “Research has shown tackle football causes brain damage, and the risk increases the longer people play football, said It can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which causes the death of nerve cells in the brain.”

He continued “I don’t have a problem with NFL players, who are adults and understand the risk and are compensated, risking CTE,” 

Nowinski said. “I can’t imagine a world in which we have children, who don’t understand the risk, doing this for fun (and) taking the same risk with their brain.”

Apparently California’s law currently bans full-contact practices for high school and youth football teams during the offseason and limits them to two practices per week during the preseason and regular season.

A law that took effect in 2021 also requires youth football officials complete concussion and head injury education in addition to other safeguards.

Steve Famiano, a former youth football coach who leads the Save Youth Football California coalition “Flag football is oriented toward leaner, faster kids, and some of the kids we see in tackle football may not have developed yet physically, they may be a little bit overweight or are larger in stature, maybe not the fastest kid on the team.” 

He continued “They fit so perfectly on a youth football team. They get to play offensive line and defensive line. You take that away from those kids, where do they go?”

Tackle football in California (at the high school level) has been declining with Participation dropping by over 18% from 2015 to 2022 from a high of 103,725 players to 84,626 players.

This is according to the California Interscholastic Federation’s participation survey, but overall football participation did increase 5% in 2023 which is a high of 89,178 players.

Noting that safety is followed closely by those involved in the program and is a concern for the parents we are sure that there is more for politicians to be worried about?

The post Contact Football – Still Being Questioned? first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Locally the football season is underway with both squads hitting the field, can’t say turf as the field conditions are in rather poor or dismal shape for the players to play on.

North Delta’s Seaquam Seahawks play at John Oliver park located just off Hwy 10 and the bottom of Scott Road or 120th for those who are unfamiliar with the area and are under the following of GM Navin Chand and Head Coach Kevin Phillips.

Their cross town rivals the South Delta Sun Devils play in Tsawwassen at Dennison Park and not the track/field at the school due to (I hear) field conditions but in fairness to both schools it takes money to fix both fields.

South Delta are under the guidance of Varsity Head Coach Ray Moon and Coach Scott Martens including Mike Emery who is getting inducted into the BC Football Hall of Fame this fall with the story on Sportswave.ca.

In recent conversations with some they mention that it might be time for the City to offer up naming rights to companies which I am sure  they would jump on, which could be a win – win for everyone and especially the City of Delta.

The past weekend saw both teams “kick-off” the Annual Delta Cup played at John Oliver at 7 pm with a fair size crowd on hand cheering on their respective team.

The park has a picturesque surrounding with a highway on one side while train tracks are at the south end which is interesting to watch the trains roll past under a clear sky with the moonlight lighting up the field.

John Oliver is an impressive park that is well used by various groups with only a couple of drawbacks, one being that there could be more bleachers for the fans as well as a broadcast booth rather than stand on the side-lline.

Both teams began arriving at 5:15ish which for us was time to connect with Sun Devils Head Coach Ray Moon who is  never short of words as well as wealth of knowledge of the game, which we appreciate.

We did go on the BC High School Football site to pull out the stats of the game but we were directed to their X site with the last posting from December 19th, 2019. 

Friday’s game did not end up the way that Seaquam planned as at times the ball or game was controlled by the Sun Devils who pulled out a commanding 42-0 win.

Following the game the Delta Bowl was presented by Delta Mayor George Harvie who was there for  the second half of the game only due to the previous City meetings.

In conversation with each team they enjoy the yearly rivalry and look forward to 2025 with Seaquam looking to make amends for this year’s loss.

Thanks to everyone for coming out to cheer on both teams as well as swinging by to chat about local sports which they appreciate.

If you get a chance swing out and catch a game for either of Delta’s teams!!!

The post South Delta Wins Delta Cup 42-0 first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The growth of football in not just the lower mainland but in particular Delta it’s mainly due to the strong dedication from the coaching who continue to take young players turning them into players ready to take the next step.

We received the following from Alexis MacPherson and wanted to share.

Enjoy the read!

Our own SDSS Football Team went on a road trip to the University of Idaho for a valuable experience at an advanced football development camp.

“Our three days in Idaho complemented our off-season training program. It will support achieving our ultimate goal of winning the Provincial Championship at BC Place.” said Coach Mike Emery, a former player at UBC and the CFL, and SDSS Sun Devils linebacker coach.

Players and several coaches took the bus to the U of Idaho for this 3-day training camp with the University of Idaho Vandals, an NCAA Division 1 Football Program.

“This incredible experience fostered team building, character, grit, skills development, and an opportunity to play against highly competitive US high schools,” said Coach Mike. “Most importantly, not only does a camp like this enhance player development, but also benefits the coaching team in terms of learning from NCAA Division 1 coaches”.

Along with the coaching expertise, the Vandals have outstanding training facilities, and according to Sun Devils Coach Mike, it includes “first-class team film classrooms, weight rooms and training centre, dorms, and cafeterias. But what struck us the most was the domed stadium built specifically for football”.

Mike went on to say that, “After talking with the Idaho coaches, they commented that some of the Sun Devils could potentially play at the next level, and feedback from players was extremely positive. We believe this experience will help the team achieve their ultimate goal of being provincial champions.”

South Delta Secondary (SDSS) Sun Devils Senior Varsity team is in the top level BC Division AAA, comprised of grades 11 & 12.  

The SDSS Junior Varsity program is made up of grades 8, 9 and 10, and competed in the BC Provincial Champion game last year.

The Sun Devils play in the Western Conference along with Vancouver College, Notre Dame, Handsworth, Belmont, and Carson Graham. 

“The Western Conference”, said Coach Mike, “is highly competitive, and includes some of the top teams in BC”.

What’s next for the South Delta Sun Devils? Their 3-week Training camp starts in August, and the season begins with an exhibition game & BBQ at GW Graham in Chilliwack on August 29.

Delta fans will be interested in the Delta Championship between the SDSS Sun Devils and Seaquam Seahawks at John Oliver field on Sept. 20/21.

The time will be announced shortly.

The post Sun Devils Visit University Of Idaho first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Opening weekend for the BC Lions attracted a record number of 53,788 who made the trek to BC Place to be entertained by not only the Lions but also for the pre-game concert catching the 50 Cent concert which was well worth the price of admission.

t went down as the club’s largest home opener crowd in history, shattering the mark of 43,305 set way back in 1984. Now for some game takes:

Hitting the turf for the home opener puts additional pressure on not only the players but also the coaching staff who put together a group of talented players searching for not only a win, but also have their sights set on the 2024 Grey Cup.

The weeklong hype and subsequent sellout crowd made it a playoff- like atmosphere. So perhaps it’s fitting that the 1-1-0 BC Lions had to grind it out for 60 minutes en route to a 26-17 win over the 1-1-0 Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night at a packed Save-On-Foods Field at BC Place.

Game report thanks to the BC Lions:

Vernon Adams Jr.’s one-yard touchdown plunge with 10:32 remaining capped a seven-play, 108-yard scoring drive and gave them the lead for good 

Three Words: Balance, Balance, Balance

Like last week in Toronto, Adams and the offence came slow out of the gate as they failed to register a first down until their third series of the game. Calgary led the contest 7-0 after 15 minutes before the Lions got rolling with a touchdown to Justin McInnis. 

The home side then took a lead before halftime when Adams connected with Alexander Hollins; a nice little redemption after ‘Batman’ had dropped a pass earlier that landed right in the bucket on a beautiful throw. Redemption is always key.

“I’m coming right back to you,” Adams said of his message after the drops. “That’s what I tell them every time. 

I’m coming back to you, regardless. These are my guys, man. 

They make plays. Nine times out of ten, they’re going to make it. I tell them it’s not a 50/50 ball, it’s a 90/10 ball. Go get it, make me look good so we can be good on the stat sheet.”

The fourth quarter ultimately was the difference in this one as the long drive which led to the eventual winning score was highlighted by a highlight reel completion to Ayden Eberhardt which set them up deep inside Calgary territory. Adams Jr. finished his night 17/29 for 277 yards and the three majors, two through the air and his winning score on the ground.

The defensive turning point came with 3:20 remaining when Josh Woods smartly batted a fumbled ball out of bounds after it was knocked loose by defensive back Ronald Kent Jr. Jake Maier and the 

Stamps’ offense was driving and poised to take the lead before the crucial takeaway that was recovered on the Lions’ 28 yard line.

“Coach Rick, he does a really good job of coaching up when Americans are coming into the league for the first time,” said Woods on his big play late.

“Every team meeting there is a CFL rule coaching moment. That’s one of those I always remembered when I came up here, all you gotta do is hit the ball out. I didn’t want to just scramble and dogpile for it: just hit it out and it’s our ball, you know? I’m so happy to make that play and happy it came in a game.”

His running mate with the linebackers, Ben Hladik, also had himself a solid night, setting the tone with a first-half interception to snuff out one Stampeder drive and once again led the way with ten defensive tackles.  The defence also sacked Maier on four occasions. 

It was the type of defensive effort that the doctor ordered after they struggled in some of the usual facets in Toronto. You have to think the home crowd played a solid role.

Rick Campbell mentioned to the media about the Lions opening night “It’s big. One, it’s huge for the BC Lions, this day. It’s not easy to get 53,000 or whatever into a stadium. I’m super proud of the whole business side and the ticket guys in marketing and all that stuff.” 

He continued “They really bust their butts to try to get people out here and so it’s cool to see that that happened and I think it’s good for the CFL too. Anyone across this league that works in this league is going to be happy that we had that crowd today.”

Key Numbers

0- the number of quarterback sacks allowed by the Lions’ offensive line, six fewer than in the loss in Toronto.

You know they heard the noise all week and slotting Chris Schleuger in at left guard appears to have paid dividends.

61- the run defence kept Calgary’s attack in check with only 61 yards given up on the ground.

3/0– that would be your turnover ratio in the Lions’ favour. Ryan Phillips’ defence had the interception, the fumble recovery and a turnover on downs.

97 and 91- the respective receiving yard totals for Hollins and McInnis who have established themselves as the clear offensive leaders for Big Play through two games.

Next Up

The Lions battle the 0-2 Winnipeg Blue Bombers next Friday night in Manitoba. Kickoff at Princess Auto Stadium is 5:30 pm PT.

The post Lions Win Home Opener – 50 Cent Concert first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The Kingston (ON) native brings over two decades of high-level football and sports administration experience to Football Canada.

“I’m truly honoured to accept the role of Executive Director at Football Canada. “This is an exciting time to be back in football.  There’s a lot to celebrate, and a lot of work to do, and I’m excited to join an amazing team and get started on helping shape and build our future.” McDonald said.

Previously, as Vice President of Football Operations at the Canadian Football League, McDonald was a leader for all issues in Canadian Football. McDonald’s experience provides direction and structure for the association as Canada’s flag teams strive for Olympic qualification for LA 2028 and continues developmental support of tackle football at all levels.

“It is a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of not only guiding Football Canada towards a continued future of excellence on the field, but more importantly, playing a role in our shared responsibility of developing the leaders of tomorrow; using sport as a vehicle to nurture and develop people who will go on to positively impact their local communities long after their playing days are over.” added McDonald.

McDonald has been serving as Football Canada’s Interim Director of Operations since the beginning of April.

“The leadership on the Board had confidence in Kevin’s direction since day one, and I believe the stakeholders who have engaged with him come away with that same impression,” Football Canada president Jim Mullin said.

The hiring of McDonald is the culmination of a national search and hiring process that ensured recruiting and evaluation were independent and aligned with Football Canada’s Code of Conduct & Ethics. Recruiter K.G. Consulting was in contact with numerous candidates from across Canada.

“The quality of talented leaders who applied reminded us of just how important football is in the lives of Canadians. It was a highly impressive group who stepped forward,” Mullin said.

McDonald sees a collective effort as the path to success.

“Together, we’ll capitalize on opportunities to boost participation, and cultivate a culture of excellence across every facet of the sport. We have only scratched the surface of our potential and we must commit to doing a better job of telling the story of what football offers and can deliver,” McDonald said.

The president agrees with McDonald’s vision.

“Kevin embodies the passion and care for the sport while remaining focused on growth potential. He has the vision we’ve been seeking to finally capitalize on the opportunities football has in Canada,” Mullin said.

“This hire was the most important decision this organization has made in six decades, and I believe we’ve got it right for the future of football,” Mullin concluded.

For More Information, Please Contact,

Jim Mullin, President Football Canada, E: jim@northern8.com

The post FOOTBALL CANADA NAMES KEVIN MCDONALD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Football Canada is proud to announce the appointment of Jo-Anne Polak to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, with a term extending until 2026.

Ms. Polak brings an exceptional blend of communications expertise and passion for the sport, underlined by her trailblazing role as the first female General Manager in North American professional sports with the Ottawa Rough Riders Football Club.

Jim Mullin Football Canada President mentioned “We are thrilled to have a person of Jo-Anne’s professional stature, who also possesses a lifelong passion about growing Football.”

Polak told the media “Ever since my Rough Rider days back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, I have only fallen in love with the game more, with each passing year.”

She continued “Football Canada is giving me a dream opportunity to serve both the sport I love, and Canadians who love it as much as I do,” she said.

Since April 2008, Ms. Polak has been an integral part of Canada Post Corporation’s communications team. She currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate and Employee Communications. 

Her portfolio includes media relations, social media, video production, graphic services, language services, writing services, and corporate events. 

She has also is responsible for Canada Post’s iconic National Stamp Program, the beloved Santa Letter Writing Program. 

She also leads the Canada Post Community Foundation which raises and disperses funds to child-based charities in the communities served by Canada Post.

Her prior experience includes impactful positions at Hill & Knowlton Canada, where she honed her crisis communications skills, managed high-profile mergers and acquisitions, and oversaw corporate communications. 

She demonstrated her leadership as the General Manager for the Toronto office and contributed significantly to H&K’s Global Crisis and Mergers & Acquisitions teams.

Before her time at Hill & Knowlton Canada, Ms. Polak co-hosted a morning show for Country 105 CKBY Ottawa and served as General Manager for the Ottawa Rough Riders Football Club.

Her early career included vital roles in public relations and marketing with Continental Golin-Harris and Interac Communications, where her clients included the CFL and the Ottawa Rough Riders. 

She played a prominent role in the Ottawa 1988 Grey Cup Committee and provided constituency support for MPPs in Ontario.

Her lifelong commitment to football is evident through her continuous support as a season ticket holder for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the Ottawa Renegades, and the Ottawa Rough Riders since 1987. 

She has also been a season ticket holder for the Buffalo Bills since the 2000 season. Her contribution to the sport was recognized by the Canadian Football League and Ottawa Redblacks as part of the Diversity is Strength Program in August 2018.

“Jo-Anne brings us the kind of responsible, senior leadership our sport requires as we prepare for our push toward LA ’28, and continue our mission of growing the tackle game as we have for 142 years,” Mullin said.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Jo-Anne Polak to the Football Canada family, where her vast experience and passion for football will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of the sport across Canada.

Thanks to Kevin McDonald Interim Manager Director for Football Canada for the info.

The post Jo-Anne Polak Appointed To Board Of Directors first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

In the world of sports, the condition of the playing field can significantly impact the game’s outcome and safety and so GPS technology has been a real game-changer in how sports fields are maintained and prepared. 

This technology has shifted the paradigm, turning the once difficult process of marking sports grounds into a precise, efficient operation with the help of a line marking machine which has really enhanced and improved the process.

Employing GPS for line marking enhances not only the field’s appearance but also its functionality, providing a superior experience for players and spectators alike.

Embracing Advanced Solutions

The introduction of GPS technology in sports field management has streamlined the once arduous task of field marking. 

Traditionally, this required a considerable amount of time and human resources, often yielding less-than-perfect results. 

Now though, ground staff can utilize GPS-guided machines that are pre-programmed with the dimensions and layouts of various sports fields. 

This leap in technology ensures that every line is meticulously drawn, significantly reducing labor hours and elevating the standard of field preparation to meet professional requirements.

The potential for GPS technology in sports field management is vast. Beyond simple line marking, GPS can also be used to map and monitor field conditions, such as grass health, soil moisture levels and even pest infestations. 

This data-driven approach allows groundskeepers to proactively address issues and maintain optimal field conditions throughout the season. 

As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that we’ll see even more innovative applications of GPS in sports field management.

Impacts Beyond Aesthetics

The benefits of GPS technology in field marking extend well beyond making the fields look good. Precisely marked fields contribute to player safety, reducing the likelihood of injuries caused by unclear or improperly marked boundaries. 

Furthermore, accurate field dimensions provide a psychological advantage to athletes, knowing that they are competing within exact specifications enhances their confidence and performance.

This precise environment fosters a level of play that is both safer and more competitive.

GPS technology also has significant implications for the broadcasting and fan experience. 

With precisely marked fields, camera operators can more easily follow the action, resulting in better coverage and clearer replays. 

This enhances the viewing experience for fans, both in the stadium and watching from home.

Additionally, the uniformity of fields across different venues provides a consistent backdrop for sports analytics, allowing for more accurate comparisons of player and team performances.

The Heart of the Innovation

The GPS-guided line marking machine represents the core of this innovative leap in sports field management. 

Equipped with sophisticated software, these machines can easily switch between configurations for different sports, maintaining straight and consistently placed lines. 

This capability not only ensures precision in the present but also guarantees uniformity over time, contributing to the fairness and quality of the games played on these fields. 

As such, the adoption of GPS technology is becoming a standard, embraced by venues ranging from local clubs to major league stadiums.

The development of GPS-guided line marking machines has been a collaborative effort between sports organizations, groundskeeping professionals and technology companies. 

This partnership has allowed for the creation of machines that are not only precise but also user-friendly and efficient. 

As the technology continues to evolve, it’s expected that these machines will become even more advanced, possibly incorporating features such as autonomous operation and real-time field condition monitoring.

Benefits for All Stakeholders

The adoption of GPS technology for field marking is transforming the sports experience for everyone involved. 

Spectators enjoy a better visual experience, thanks to the enhanced aesthetics of the fields. Players benefit from a more consistent and safer playing environment, which can lead to improved performance and reduced injury rates. 

This technological advancement marks the beginning of a new era in sports, where the focus on innovation paves the way for improvements not just in the quality of sports fields but in the overall game experience.

The post Exploring How GPS is Revolutionizing Sports Field Management first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.