Our club is located in Winnipeg’s North End. This area is the poorest and most crime ridden neighborhood in Winnipeg. Most of these kids can not afford to join sports. We have the second largest enrollment in Canadian Amateur Football. We survive because of volunteers and fund raising. We make our facilities available to the entire community for all other sports. Our kids volunteer to help the others learn and train and they all volunteer at the club during games. We have our annual big event ‘Nomad Pride Weekend’ held in August, with back to back football games, food, prizes and fun all weekend. The Nomads will always grow and provide the North End community kids a club that they can be proud of and a field to foster their dreams. The older kids give back what they’ve learned by assisting in the training, teaching and developing the younger players. These kids are taught about keeping your body healthy with exercise, diet and self discipline. All of these boys gain self confidence, belief in themselves, faith and trust in others, loyalty to the team, friends, family and others, self assurance knowing now that they can accomplish in life much more than they ever thought possible. The kids in our community are from monetarily challenged families and when the Major’s team won the championship in 2008, they were all offered the opportunity to purchase a Championship ring. Of course most of them could not afford it. Two boys from the team took it upon themselves to run a social dance to fund raise the money for the rings. This was successful and the funds paid for all but $50.00 each for all of players. This was amazing. On the eve of a championship game team spirit was shown in spades. The entire team sat one after the other and allowed the other boys to shave his head into a Mohawk cut, music blaring, cheering, shouting, laughing, and some getting their helmets refitted as they no longer fit, The spirit in that locker room had all the younger players in awe. One player came out looking sad. He told his parents “I came here to join a team and ended up part of a family.” I never forgot what he said, and his look was not that of sadness but amazement and pure happiness. They won the next day against their rival team for many years the St. Vital Mustangs. This was due to heart. They all learned from each other and we’ve learned from them…..this is not something you can teach them…but something they obtain through experience of the game and their peers. They call it ‘North End Pride’ which is their call sign before and during all games. Should we win we would put it into the club for equipment and facilities for the visiting team as we have none. From the Home of NORTH END PRIDE Sincerely; Phyllis & Keith Main
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COMMENTS (112)
07/01/09
Thanks so much Phyllis and Keith for entering the contest, you are a great example of North End Pride! Go Nomads!!!!
07/01/09
This is an excellent essay Phyllis and Keith, and we couldn't say better what we are all about. Thank you so much!!! N.E.P!!!!!
07/01/09
Thanks to Phyllis and Keith for putting the club up for consideration and now we are nominees. This is such a great honor. This is exactly what the Nomads are all about. I am proud to be part of this family. N.E.P.!
07/02/09
For those outside the North End, Winnipeg or Manitoba, the North Winnipeg Nomads are more than just a football club; they are an establishment and the sole of a community. This club has seen exponential growth over its 40 years of existence, providing a family culture of embracement, with real people getting down and dirty all year round wanting to see success and continuation. They extend their culture of providing way beyond the clubhouse, helping out where they can with other football programs like St. John’s, Tec Voc, the Senior Mustangs and so many more using the Nomad facilities. The Nomads are THE icon of the North End, the poster child for community involvement, commitment and pride. They provide an environment for hundreds of kids who may only play one sport to grow and development their athletic, personal and relational skills. Focused on getting kids involved, keeping them off the streets, keeping costs affordable, so no one gets turned away or cut, the more the merrier. This has made the Nomads into the second largest club in Canada with an annual growth of over 20% annually, contributing to the growth of participation in football within Manitoba. This club has graduated not only pro football players like Mark McLaughlin's to the CFL, but also several of NHL young guns, including Travis Zajec and Colton Orr. For those who now live outside the province, you know what it like is to wear your green and gold colours, the number 1 logo and get stopped by someone who has connection back to our club. For both my sons it just happened to them, getting stopped by former Nomads here in Calgary. They were very proud to be associated with the Nomads, as was the men who shared their story. As a former coach, volunteer and executive for the North Winnipeg Nomads, I applaud the will to better the club. I also want to encourage others to share your stories and connectivity, supporting the Nomads with their initiative; it’s much more than just a football club, its part of our live and family! Even though we’re at a distance and actively involved with the Southwest Bulldogs Football Club, there still exists a very strong connection and emotional bond with the Andryo family and the North Winnipeg Nomads. Good luck from Alberta - Terry (Coach, volunteer and executive for seven years), Maria (football mom and volunteer for seven years), Orysia (team trainer and volunteer for five years), Natalya (Canteen and 50/50 Volunteer for five years), Zenon (player for six years) and Zachary (Player for four years and prospect for two years) the Andryo’s.
07/04/09
Very well said and so very true the hope in a child's future is not only good education but a good sports foundations. We need to keep them safe and active doing this will only strengthen our community as a whole. We are newbies to this football community but cannot thank them enough for saving our lost grandson it has been a very positive outlet for him. Our coach Dan not only cares for the love of football but also for the love of kids and giving them a chance to succeed and stay off the streets.The nomads are a strong community lets help in making it stronger!!!!