When Pat Gillin and a group of UNB Alumni financed the rebirth of the Red Bombers in 2009 under a “club” structure to take advantage of the creation of the AFL, everyone involved agreed to commit to taking a 3-year “Nike Approach” and “just do it”. At the end of the 3 years we agreed we would take stock and determine where it should go from there.

The determined efforts of a core group from among alumni, friends of football, and coaches created the 2009 Red Bombers and sustained it to date to give football players the opportunity to play for UNB.

Much has been accomplished: Not the least of which has been that UNB’s administration including the President’s Office has answered all of our calls for help to clear obstacles in our path. UNB Admin., Rec., and Athletics are very supportive of the UNB Red Bombers Football Team.

Our Vision statement is clear: To establish a sustainable, highly organized, and properly funded team that provides the UNB and City of Fredericton communities with a memorable cultural and recreational experience.

Our Mission statement is equally precise: To provide football players attending UNB an opportunity to participate in a competitive football program within the Atlantic Football League.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to set the Club’s priorities for the next 3 years through the end of the 2014 football season. Based on the experiences gained over the past 3 years, a planning session was convened on Feb. 13, 2012. Over 30 people attended and included a broad cross section of individuals representing the players, coaches, Red Bomber organization, alumni, administration, local football, former Red Bombers, and friends of football.

In that meeting 5 areas were identified that should be the focus of the Red Bombers priorities for their action plans over the next 3 years. Those were:

Finances/Sponsorship/Fund-raising

Player Recruitment

Governance/Organization

On field Improvement

Game Day/Marketing

From this, the organization developed Goals and Action Items in each area and an overall timetable and budget.

Finances/Sponsorship/Fund-raising

Goals 2012-2014

To attract Alumni contributions of at least $30,000/year

To earn Fredericton Sports Investment Diner returns of at least $2,500/year

To reach a level by the 2014 season of netting $2,000 in revenues during the football season from sources other than gate receipts, alumni, or players fees.

To create an endowment fund into which contributions can be held for the operation of the team going forward.

Strategy

The strategy for the next three years (by the end of 2014) is to have provided sufficient funding that will sustain the team ‘as is’ at least to 2020, and thereby give the organization the time it needs (over the next 8 years) to develop and put in place the means for sustainability and growth ongoing.

Action

By March 31 designate 1 local support committee member to lead the committee’s efforts to develop, under Cyril Lutze-Wallace leadership, an ongoing year-round Alumni booster campaign for the Red Bombers.

By March 31 designate 1 support committee member to investigate the requirements of establishing an endowment fund.

By April 20 provide the proposal and budget for the inaugural year-round Alumni booster campaign for the Red Bombers.

By April 30 approve and launch Alumni booster campaign.

By May 31 report back to the club the opportunity and requirements to establish the Endowment Fund.

By May 31 recruit 10 or more additional local members of the support committee who have the time and interest to be active members to contribute their talents to any action items throughout this plan.

By June 30 designate a sub committee of members of the support committee who will concentrate on the Fredericton Sports Investment Dinner sponsorship and ticket sales.

By June 30 designate a sub committee of the members of the support committee who will concentrate on new revenue sources.

Player Recruitment

Goals 2012-2014

To successfully recruit players from the Highs Schools in the Province of New Brunswick.

To recruit football players who are currently on-campus but not playing for the Red Bombers.

To promote the Red Bomber BRAND to the youth and coaches of the Capital Area Minor Football Association (CAMFA)

To provide an opportunity for EX-CIS players to join the Red Bombers after they have stopped playing at the CIS level.

Strategy

After its nearly 30 year absence on campus, the strategy re-establishes the Red Bombers as a playing option in the minds of young football players to help increase recruitment.

Action

Identify current Bombers willing to recruit graduating High School players form their Alma Mater –

ACTION Feb 17-Mar15/2012:

Poll Current Players as Red Bomber Ambassador: Jack Dallaire, VP Recruitment.

Target Specific player who are likely to want to play football at universities –

ACTION Feb 17-Mar15/2012:

Secure Maritime Combines list of participants (Jack D):

Secure NB-HS All-star list: Coach D:

Send each targeted player a letter: Coach D / Jack D

Develop a recruiting package for HS visits

ACTION Mar 15-20/2012:

Update AV presentation, Develop Flyers &Business cards: Coach  D

Provide training to current Bombers for presentations:

                                ACTION Mar 15-20/2012:

Secure facility and equipment to conduct training: Coach D

Contact High Schools to establish visits

ACTIONS Apr.25 – May 15/2012

Secure HS coaches’ contacts from Football New Brunswick. Write introductory letter /e-mail to coaches or School Athletic Directors: Coach D

Execute Visitation Plan

ACTION Apr.25 – May 15/2012

Identified Ambassadors visit their Alma Mater and deliver the recruitment package: Current Players, Jack D, Coach D

Identify past Red Bombers, on –Campus who no longer play

ACTION Feb 17-March 15:

Review 2009and 2010 Player registration and identify potential recruits: Coach D

Identify past HS players on campus who have not decided to play-

                                ACTION Feb 17- March 15:

Poll Current Bombers for names of Players from their s High School: Jack D

Send Campus wide e-mail/inviting players from out of province: Jack D/ Coach D

                Brunswickan/CHSR promotion, inviting players to register:        Jack D  / Coach D

Plan for the Coaches to meet the HS players not yet playing:                     Coach D

Conduct an annual  “Skills” and Drills’/COACHES CLINIC  camp for 14-17year olds

ACTION Conduct Camp on APRIL1, 2012

Meet with U-18 organizers, CAMFA, and Red Bombers Coaches: Coach D

Invite a Pee-wee and / or Bantam “TEAM of the WEEK” to join Bombers on Field for practice: Coach D

ACTION August 15-30:

Contact President of CAMFA to develop a visitation Schedule Coach D

Existing Bombers to poll their friends in CIS to determine the interest: Feb 17- March 30: Jack D

Governance/Organization

Goals 2012-2014

To develop the Constitution to be reflective of the best methodology for a division of powers and responsibilities

To ensure the Constitution does not restrict the administration of the team

To place responsibility for deliverables with the person or people in the best position to be successful

To divide responsibility in a way that the board can oversee the administration of the Bombers to help achieve the teams overall goals.

Strategy

A thoughtful implementation of a new structure is important to achieving the above goals. The strategy is to achieve the following:

1. 1.       The organizational operations must be divided into functional areas.
2. 2.       Functional areas must have goals and deliverables clearly defined.
3. 3.       In light of the goals and deliverables, the best structure for the functional group must be determined.
4. 4.       A new constitution must be drafted to reflect the desired organizational structure.
5. 5.       The new constitution should be distributed to all stakeholders for comments.
6. 6.       An AGM or EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) must be called.
7. 7.       The new constitution must be voted on for ratification by a 2/3 majority

Action

A committee to be struck and within one month a brainstorming and idea refinement session will be held by the committee to achieve items 1, 2, and 3 above. Estimated completion date May 1, 2012.

One member then tasked with drafting a new constitution, to be reviewed and commented by the committee for update by the drafter. Estimated completion date June 1, 2012.

Once a draft constitution is delivered by the committee it will be distributed to the stakeholders for their comments. Comments reviewed and, where appropriate, implemented by the committee. This process should be iterative and can continue until the EGM is called.

Upon the delivery of the draft constitution the Bombers organization should, where possible, implement the new constitutional structure and fill positions with interim appointees. This will allow for a trial of the new structure before a true ratification by the membership.

With the goal of having the new constitution ratified in time for the 2012 season an EGM should be called by the Vice-President – Communications by Saturday, August 11, 2012 in accordance with the current constitution, specifically Article 9.

On field Improvement

Goals 2012-2014

To attract a core group of players of between 40 to 50 who are truly committed to the club.

To ensure players selected for the team maintain a high level of responsible behaviour in the discipline and organization of personal time to ensure their personal success on the field as well as the quality of the performance on the field by the Red Bombers.

To establish a work ethic of regular attendance and practice activity focused on development and preparation

To develop off season activities that build a broader sense of culture of Red Bomber Football and work on individual skills.

Strategy

The strategy is for coaches, captains and veteran players to communicate a clear and consistent message of the level of commitment expected of everyone, and to hold everyone accountable to that expectation of commitment.

Action

Hold an orientation meeting for players just before the first practice.

Develop team bonding sessions (with strict adherence to UNB’s anti-hazing policies) to help grow a sense of commitment and team.

Use the lines already in place within the club for communication between players and coaches.

Hold a team practice once a month during the off-season to promote a team culture, and one spring session tied to recruitment.

Develop weight room programs for players

Continue optional off-season activities such as the gym football league

Game Day/Marketing

Goals 2012-2014

To re-establish a game day committee with set responsibilities and roles

To establish a marketing committee that works with the game day committee to identify targets audiences

To identify special events for each game

To continue to integrate marketing using web site and social media to communicate with Bomber fans

To work with UNB Varsity athletics on a comprehensive plan to establish an “event atmosphere” at BMO field

Strategy

The Strategy is to establish Red Bomber games as a “tradition” for students to attend games and for the Fredericton community to attend games, in direct support of our Vision Statement.

Actions

Before the April 8^th to set up a meeting with Residence Presidents for upcoming academic year.

Recruit at least 3 (an more if available) additional members of Game day Committee by June 30 2012

Establish marketing committee with connection to Game day committee by June 30 2012

Establish attendance target goals for 2012/2013/2014 and plans within the Game day and marketing committee’s on how we arrive at those targets.

Meet with UNB athletics to see how the UNB Red Bombers can support UNB Varsity events as a strategy. (By July 2012)

Budget

Separate document as part of annual budget process.

If you plan on playing for the Red Bombers in 2012 please take a minute to fill out this quick registeration form: http://redbombers.com/join-the-bombers/

Also be sure to check out our players only facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/404081842940715/

1 – Welcome and introductions. Sign in sheet circulated and those in attendance:

• ·         Justin DeMerchant – Equipment Manager / AFL Rep
• ·         Pat Forbes – Player / Coaches Liaison
• ·         David Giddings – Player / Player Rep
• ·         Matthew Black – Player
• ·         Jamie Edwards – Coach
• ·         Machael Mallory – Observer
• ·         Terry McIntyre – Coach
• ·         Mike Dollimore – Head Coach
• ·         Ian McMillan
• ·         Larry Wisnewski – AFL Red / GM
• ·         Brian Freeman – Board Chair
• ·         Brian Gilliland – President

2 – Years past motions:

• ·         Proposal to structure fee as $250. $100 at gear fitting ($50 refundable) and $150 before second game.
• ·         Proposal to allow CAMFA Mens Gladiators to use shoulder pads
• ·         Proposal to allocate money for gear purchases and coaches purchases
• ·         Proposal to establish Gear Manager Position.
• ·         Proposal to purchase new jersey’s for the 2012 season.

All passed without dissent by executive

3 – Financial statements:

• ·         Without alumni support the team would have run a 13k deficit
• ·         Player fees continue to be the other major source of revenue
• ·         Cash balance in account is at a reasonable level, but we need money to sustain the program given its current burn rate
• ·         We need to reconcile the financials as presented with the actual account
• ·         Coach Dollimore raised the need to ensure expenditures stay under control
• ·         Agreed we need a budget for the 2012 season
• ·         Also need to examine how we track finances

4 – Coaches report:

“Firstly, I’d like to thank the entire support team that keeps the team going in so many ways other than on the field on game day. Larry Wisniewski has been a tremendous asset in working with the University and in being a sounding board for the head coach. Likewise , Brian Freeman and his Game day crew have help pave a smoother path in dealing with the school administration and his casual attendance at practices is very much appreciated. Justin DeMerchant’s monitoring of the equipment took a very big load off my shoulders this year.

Mike Lamb and David Gesson’s continuous support to our players and their injuries was done in an efficient and professional manner; again it offered big relief to the coaches to know our players were in good hands.

Our coaches Jamie Edwards, Terry MacIntyre, Jeff Taylor, Jeremy Curnew, Neil Cody, and Ron Squires gave freely of their time and energies and we are very grateful for their efforts. We had anticipated that growing our Coaching staff to include a “specialties “ unit would have lighten the load and given that part of the game a well-deserved and more concentrated effort. Unfortunately, some of those coaches were plagued with work and personal commitments that didn’t allow us to fulfill our intentions. We now feel that keeping our staff to 6-7 dedicated coaches is likely our best option.

I’d like to thank Ron Squires for the 2 years of service he gave the Bombers and wish him luck as he uses his time to make his new business grow to its fullest potential. I believe Neil will be concluding his studies at UNB and returning to the Halifax region. We wish him luck and thank him for his service over the past 2 years. We hope to soon be able to fill the vacant spots on staff and add someone to the offensive line unit.

The AFL is an extremely competitive league that brings twists and turns in almost every minute of every game and we learned that we must always paly to the very last second of very game. It was an exciting and entertaining season not only for the fans but also the coaches. We were pleased to be able to be competitive this year and make it back to the finals against an very well

coached and prepared Holland College team, Congratulations to them on their

2011 Championship Victory.

The year, of course, was not without its disappointments and frustrations; We had a few serious injuries that cut the season short for some of our players. This was no doubt devastating to some of them, who were not able to play. On the other hand I witnessed some very dedicated and heroic efforts by players who played “hurt” a good portion of the season. This exemplifies the True Bomber Spirit and we thank them for their courage.

The ongoing problem of less than a full commitment by some players continued to place tremendous pressure on everyone and forced us to abandon many of our practice plans so that we could cross train individuals to other positions. The Offensive line was particularly hard struck by this. We used 14 different players to fulfill the duties of that unit. All things considered it is a wonder as to how we were able to achieve what we did, given the adversities we

faced.

Unlike in past years, at the start of training camp, we did not CROSS-TRAIN individuals for more than one position. This meant we had to do so throughout the year and we lost continuity in practice. It is imperative that we return to Cross training players on both sides of the ball to establish greater depth far earlier in the season. This must be done at virtually every position. This would allow us to be better prepared and be less vulnerable to absent players.

Of the 42 or so players we eventually settled with, we had a core of 22-25 players who we consider truly dedicated to the team. This simply is not enough. We must strive to build that core to 34-36 players that the team can depend upon every night. Additionally, we must seek to find the practice times that will minimize the reason for absenteeism based on class or work schedules. It will be delicate balance between the minimal number of hours required to prepare a team and the priorities of School work and the need to support one’s self through work.

Recruiting is something that is difficult for this team because so many of the graduating HS players have been approached by regional Universities and they are determined to “give it a shot” at CIS . I commend those players for living their dream as I did. However, somehow we must get the UNB message out to the grade 10-11 players that, we do not have to be INSTEAD of CIS, but rather we can be BEFORE or we can be AFTER the CIS.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the Red Bombers Coaching Staff.

Coach Mike Dollimore, Head Coach UNB Red Bombers, 2011”

5 – Players Report

• ·         Gym football league is up and running until April 1, 2012
• ·         Player cohesion continues to be “acceptable”
• ·         Player recruitment needs to be addressed

6 – Equipment Manager

• ·         Equipment monitoring was greatly improved this year through use of the triplicate forms
• ·         Made fairly substantial gear purchases last year, but not anticipating a huge expense amount for 2012
• ·         Only 3 sets of gear remain outstanding

7 – League Report

• ·         Partnership with 2 AFL reps worked well this year
• ·         The league is growing but is trying to find its identity
• ·         The scheduling issue was touch last year, but it should have resolved itself with 4 teams this year
• ·         The league hasn’t discussed holding a meeting or setting a schedule yet
  • o   Questions of how many games, when to start, etc.
• ·         League is always looking to grow
• ·         Suggested that the league look at a maximum number of practices for each team

8 – Board of Directors

• ·         The board still is not formally recognized under the constitution
• ·         The board has focused on three major areas of organization, team, and community involvement… and under those categories considered sustainability, transition, and growth
• ·         Will need to look at how to amend the constitution in 2012 to work best for the organization
• ·         There has been lots of progress but we need to keep growitn

9 – Elections

• ·         President – Brian Gilliland
• ·         Treasurer – Larry Wisnewski
• ·         VP-Communication – Kyle Jaudry
• ·         VP-Recruitment – Jack Daillare
• ·         VP-Campus Rec – David Giddings
• ·         Player Rep – Matthew Black
• ·         Coaches Rep – Nick Mecheachern
• ·         AFL Rep – Justin DeMerchant
• ·         AFL Rep – Larry Wiznewski

All unanimous

10 – New business

• ·         There will be a planning session upcoming for the team

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/160502657386253/

Members Present:

Justin DeMerchant

Brian Gilliland

Pat Forbes

Andrew Guest

David Giddings

Matthew Murray

Nick McEachern

Mike McSorley

Financial:

-       Total revenue was  $33 841

-       Total expenditure  was $30 710

-       Surplus $3 131

-       Only made profit on game 4

-       An overall fiscally successful  year

Uniforms

-       Justin DeMerchant motions to allow president Brian Gilliland to order 60 new jerseys on behalf of the Red Bombers.  

-       Nick McEachern seconds this motion. The motion was then voted on and passed unanimously   

-       It was also decided that old jerseys could be purchased for 50$ by players and the general public

-       Also players will be able to purchase the new jerseys for $100

-       It was also decided to investigate if putting the UNB Red Bombers logo on the pants would be an aesthetically and economically viable venture

Gym Football League

-       Pat Forbes introduced the concept of initiating a football league played indoors, exclusively for players and members of the Red Bombers

-       The players executive decided to see if there was enough interest among players and if gym time could be acquired

Recruiting

-       The executive decided that more of an emphasis needs to be placed on recruiting new players from local high schools

-       The concept of sending a combination of players and coaches was introduced

-       Also the concept of making a recruiting video was suggested by Andrew Guest

Annual Team gathering

-       The date for the gathering was set for Friday December 10^th

-       A list of locations were composed and Brian Gilliland will call for reservations

Closing

-       Brian Gillaland motioned to close the meeting and Justin DeMerchant seconded it. The motion was then voted upon and was passed unanimously 

It was a celebration 51 years in the making.

The Holland College Hurricanes captured the first intercollegiate football title of any kind for a P.E.I.-based team since 1960 on Saturday and did it in style, thrilling a crowd of more than 2,000 at MacAdam Field on the UPEI campus with a 28-0 shutout of the New Brunswick Red Bombers in the Atlantic Football League championship game.

Demetrius Ferguson played on both sides of the ball and scored on both, with a nine-yard touchdown run at 3:29 of the first quarter on the game’s opening drive and a dazzling 63-yard interception return 8:25 into the second quarter that made it 14-0.

Robbie Tufts caught a two-yard pass from quarterback Nick Hunsley for a touchdown with 48.1 seconds left before halftime and workhorse running back Dave Clark tacked on a one-yard run for a major with 1:44 to go in regulation.

The New Brunswick offence never got inside the Hurricanes’ 20-yard line. The Holland College defence recorded three interceptions, a sack and blocked a punt.

It was the third year for the AFL, and the second for the Hurricanes program. Holland College won the regular-season title with a 5-1 record and defeated Dalhousie 38-7 a week ago in the semifinals.

For more details, read Monday’s edition of The Guardian.

After winning the inaugural Atlantic Football League championship two years ago, the University of New Brunswick Red Bombers were kept out of the league final last season. But they’re back this year looking for another championship.

Bombers starting quarterback Brendan Cornford has been with the team every year since the AFL began three years ago.

He was also the winning quarterback in the championship game in the inaugural AFL season, something he hopes will help his team when they take on the Holland College Hurricanes tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Charlottetown.

Although he has that experience and plans on using that himself, he says the AFL is much different now than it was two years ago.

“Honestly over the past few years since that game happened the league has changed so much,” said Cornford, who played his high school football with Leo Hayes Lions. “It is so much better overall now. Every team plays at the exact same level and there aren’t really any underdogs in our league. It’s just an awesome feeling knowing that every team can score and they can stop defensively wise. Being one of the four teams and making it to the final is pretty awesome.”

The Red Bombers are the only team to beat the Hurricanes this season, coming after Cornford brought his team from behind late in game to win 28-26 in the final regular season game for both teams a couple of weeks ago. He hopes the trend continues today.

“That whole game we did pretty well passing wise,” he said. “Running wise we did pretty well as well,” he said. “I threw four touchdowns that game so it wasn’t really an issue passing against them the last time we played them. It just took some time to get our offence to click. Once the receivers and I got our game together it was a perfect day.”

Cornford says being the only team to beat Holland College plays a minor role in the team’s confidence level. But it doesn’t change much.

“It definitely helps us out, but doesn’t really change our mindset,” he said. “We’re still going to play as hard as we possibly can. We know that we can beat them, but we know that they can score too.”

The Bombers needed a point on the last play to beat the UNBSJ SeaWolves 23-22 in the semifinal at BMO Centre last weekend. Cornford says they haven’t changed anything. At this stage of the season, they’re just continuing to fine-tune.

“We upped to an extra practice this week,” said Cornford. “We’re just going over the basic stuff, not really learning anything new, just going over what we already know. We just want to make sure everybody knows what they need to do and where they need to be.”

What has changed in recent weeks are the weather conditions.

“We practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week all at 8 p.m. so it’s pretty already pretty cold out,” he said. “Wednesday night it was raining pretty hard, but we still practiced,” he said.

“We practice in those conditions as hard as we do when it’s nice out because we’re at the point we can’t afford to lose a game. We need to be ready for whatever weather comes at us.”

The Weather Network forecast in Charlottetown called for a few flurries Friday evening, with winds from the west at 50 kilometres per hour. Game time temperature Saturday is projected at eight degrees Celsius, with a 20 per-cent chance of precipitation and partially sunny skies.

Cornford said he believes the team has the skills to win the league championship for a second time in the league’s three year history, but it will come down to how badly the team wants it on Saturday.

“We’ve just got to play one of the best games of the year,” he said. “It’s the championship, we’ve just got to let it all go and leave it on the field.”

The UNB Red Bombers would have to come from behind to beat the UNBSJ Seawolves 23-22 at BMO Centre to make the Atlantic Football League final at Holland College this weekend.

The weather itself wasn’t the greatest, but the Bombers knew what was at stake, and they fought both Seawolves and weather to win the game.

The game kicked-off tightly-matched from the beginning. By the end of the first half, the Seawolves lead the Bombers 14-7, but that didn’t last long.

By the third quarter, UNB tied it up 14-14, but the Seawolves fought back, and by the end of the third quarter, they were leading the Bombers 22-14.

“It was pretty mind blowing. Never thought it would be an outcome like that. You know, both teams played well so that and the game a bonus for us really,” said Red Bombers quarterback Brendan Cornford.

“Offensively we played awesome, defensively we played incredible, couldn’t ask for anything better, really.”

In the last few minutes of play, the Bombers struck gold. With an impressive touchdown followed by a two-point conversion, the team evened the playing field against UNBSJ to tie the game at 22-22.

“That tied it and then there was a couple back-and-forth, two-and-outs, two-and-outs, punt back-and-forth and then we luckily got the ball back with about 10 seconds left.”

In the last 10 seconds of play, slot-back Cody Stewart punted the ball into the end zone. The field went quiet.

The Red Bombers had just won the semi-final, with less than a few seconds, bringing the final score to a 23-22 victory over the UNBSJ Seawolves, their long-time rivals and the Atlantic Football League champions from last year.

“It was awesome. We basically have been like rivals since the league opened so it feels pretty good to beat them,” Cornford said.

“We planned from the get-go to get to the championships and that’s what we had our mind set on all year long. We worked hard to get here.”

Every team has a superstition or tradition they hold too. The Red Bombers are no exception. Before each home game, coach Dollimore brings in an old UNB Bombers helmet from the Proudfoot days.

“Everybody on the team just kind of taps it as we’re going out on the field. We’ve done that pretty much every home game since the league was formed.”

The Bombers are enjoying this victory, but they’re looking to and preparing for their game against Holland College, who finished first in the AFL this season.

“I think we’re basically on the same level. Honestly, I think every team in the league is basically the same level of play,” Cornford said.

“We can all score, we’ve all done well throughout all the games, PEI beat us once and we beat them once. So I think it’s just a matter of whose going to play the best game.”

The Bombers have a couple tricks up their sleeves for the playoffs, as they have the number one receivers and running backs in the league with Cody Stewart, Eric Smith and Pat Forbes, respectively.

“Defensively, Tyler Doak is just a machine. He can’t be stopped and it’s just unreal playing with the boys that we’re playing with this year. I think this year’s our year to take it.”

The Bombers will take on the Holland College Hurricanes this Saturday at 1 p.m for Moosehead Cup.