Canadian Football League hosting flag football camp in Puvirnituq

For the second year in a row, the CFL is sending a pair of former players to Nunavik. They'll be putting on the future Flag Football Stars Clinic. Outside of learning how to throw a perfect spiral and read a pass rush, the Kativik Regional Government says it's an opportunity to expand the horizons of athletics in the region. We're so surrounded by NHL or volleyball, and having that flag football introduction created a lot of conversation amongst our youth and that's where interest came in especially having professional football players come in and do the actual work with the youth it gives them like a sense of like acknowledgement or a sense of hope. This year the camp will take place at the community center in Puvirnituq and will be led by former Montreal Alouettes Danny Derivo and Marc-Antoine de Croix. It's the first time both players have traveled to Nunavik, and they say they're excited to see the athletic ability of Inuit youth on full display. I just want to see kids out there and just having fun. I know we're also talking to the coach, so if we can give them the technique that we learned from our coaches, it could also help, but it's really the passion. That's mostly what I'm looking for. According to the CFL, the camp is aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action. Outside of sports, Derivo says the camp also helps provide valuable life lessons, like leadership, cooperation, and strategic abilities. I think that's pretty much what you want to instill in these kids, you know, the hope that, you know, whatever situation you're in right now, you could always change, because if you believe it hard enough, and you're willing to work hard, and you're willing to improve on a daily basis, and, you know, the power of will and effort. The KRG says it hopes to continue expanding the program, including running its own flag football camps and teams in the years to come. These pilot projects help us assess the long-term potential of flag football programming in Nunavik and determine how it can contribute to our youth development, physical activity and community engagement. As part of the camp, two Inuit youth have been chosen as ambassadors and will attend a Montreal Alouettes game as spectators. But perhaps one day soon, some of these young athletes will get on the field as players. Liam Baker, CBC News, Ottawa.