Preparations underway for flag football game with RCAF

(Left) Chief Petty Officer First Class David Bisal, Fleet Chief, Lieutenant (Navy) David MacLellan of HMCS Calgary and RCN team captain, and Commodore David Mazur, Canadian Fleet Pacific Commanding Officer, show off the Commodore’s Cup trophy. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper.

Peter Mallett, 
Staff Writer

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The RCN team captain and wide receiver divulged some of his team’s strategy ahead of the Oct. 14 flag football game between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

“Having fun at this competition will be our key to winning,” said Lieutenant (Navy) David MacLellan of HMCS Calgary. “We have a talented group of players looking to put on a show and it’s always nice to play a team from outside the base.”

Over 200 chairs and temporary bleachers have been placed at the Colville Road sports field for the Commodore’s Cup – a new tradition that honours current and past Commanders of Canadian Fleet Pacific (CANFLTPAC).

The RCN’s 12-player team consists of Calgary’s defending champion intramural flag football team and other Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) units. Their Air Force opponents come from 19 Wing Comox.

Lt(N) MacLellan said his team has been practising twice weekly at Colville Road and working hard in preparation for the game. The team will wear specially made blue football jerseys for the game.

The game’s trophy was reconditioned from a former Broom Ball trophy and is ready to have the name of its first champion etched on one of its panels, said Commodore (Cmdre) David Mazur, CANFLTPAC Commanding Officer.

“This event is important for the Fleet because we are always looking for opportunities to get the ships’ crews out for some exercise and to build morale,” Cmdre Mazur said.

He also said he was looking forward to developing a new military sporting tradition and building on the long-standing friendly rivalry between the two service branches.

“The RCN and RCAF work hard together when we are at sea and sometimes it’s fun when we are alongside to get together, challenge each other, and build a friendly rivalry,” Cmdre Mazur said.

Admission to the game is free. The Commodore’s Cup will also include static displays from the Artillery, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) Bomb Disposal team, an Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) information tent and a recruiting booth of HMCS Malahat. A post-game social for all attending will take place at the Chief and Petty Officer’s Mess from 3 to 6 p.m.