Salmon Arm football player Noah Vanniewenhuizen scored a recent invitation to participate in the Canadian Football Chat (CFC) Selection Camp in February.
In Grade 11 at Salmon Arm Secondary, and a member of the Golds Senior Boysѻý football team, Vanniewenhuizen will attend the camp in Vancouver on Feb. 1. There heѻýll compete against top high school players from across Canada to be one of 75 athletes selected to play in the CFC Prospect Game in May that will be aired on TSN.
Having played for Team BC earlier this year, the young football star is excited about this latest opportunity.
ѻýIѻým proud that all the work Iѻýve put in these last few years is coming to light,ѻý he said in a media release from School District 83, adding heѻýd like to play for the provincial team again as well. ѻýI hope to prove you donѻýt need to come from large cities to become a great athlete.ѻý
Instead Vanniewenhuizen credits coaching with athletes, including himself, for getting where they are and achieving what they have.
ѻýI couldnѻýt have succeeded without the guidance of all the coaching staff, who have taught me about grit, being an overall good person and leader, and have expanded by football skills,ѻý he said. ѻýTheyѻýve instilled confidence in my play which has elevated my skill level.ѻý
Primarily a running back, middle linebacker and kick returner, Vanniewenhuizen is described as a ѻývery coachable player with a love of football, physicality, a competitive nature, a desire to improve and mental toughness.ѻý
ѻýNoah is a very talented football player who has a bright future ahead of him in the sport,ѻý coach Colin Woodhurst said in the release. ѻýNoah is relied on as the lead back in our run-heavy attack, and he brings physicality to the defence at the middle linebacker position. Defences struggle to bring Noah down in the open field due to his strength and elusiveness, and he makes receivers and running backs account for him on the field due to his tenacious tackling.ѻý
Some of Vanniewenhuizenѻýs season achievements include a 65-yard run against Vernon Secondary School ѻý the top-ranked team in the province ѻý and an 11-tackle performance against Sardis AAA in Chilliwack. The Grade 11 student also has multiple touchdowns this year.