Coach says lack of commitment among reasons for dropping team

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SALISBURY - The head coach of the J.M.A. Armstrong High School Cougars football team says a lack of commitment and support has resulted in the football program being cancelled for next season.

"It's very unfortunate and frustrating," Jason Chapman said yesterday. "Running a team like this takes a lot of work and a lot of help and we're just not getting it. We don't have the level of commitment that we need."

Chapman, who teaches Grade 9 and 10 English at the school, said the football program got off to a good start with former CFL player Stewart Fraser, but that spark has gotten progressively dimmer.

Chapman, who took over as head coach in 2006, said it has become increasingly difficult to find and keep enough players to keep the team going through the whole season. Last year, he said the team started out with about 30 players but that number had dwindled to about 19 by the end of the season because of injuries, lack of interest, lack of commitment and even suspension. He said one player was injured and then suspended from school for bad behaviour, so he was also kicked off the football team.

The Cougars finished the season in the NBIAA 10-man league with a 21-7 loss to St. Stephen in the semi-finals.

Chapman said he feels bad for the players who showed true commitment to the team, but there wasn't enough to keep it going.

"I know there will be three or four kids who will be devastated by the decision."

But there was good support from the school and the community. Chapman said the team raised a lot of money through public events and corporate sponsors in Petitcodiac and Salisbury. The money went to buy new equipment like helmets for the football team, and also to pay for transportation. He said the two trips to St. Stephen cost the team over $2,200 for bus rentals and other expenses. That money all came from fundraising activities and not from school funds. Admission fees at home games brought in over $700.

The cancellation of the Armstrong football program is expected to have a serious impact on the New Brunswick 10-man high school league. Last year there were only five teams -- St. Stephen, Rothesay, St. Malachy's, J.M.A. Armstrong, and the Harbour View Vikings of Saint John -- in the 10-man league. They are from smaller schools which have trouble putting together full-size teams for the more competitive 12-man league that includes the Metro Moncton high schools. Last year there were 13 teams in the 12-man league.

With the Cougars dropping out, Chapman said other teams in the 10-man league may have to take a step up and compete in the 12-man league.