2022 RURAL MANITOBA FOOTBALL LEAGUE AWARDs
POSITIONAL Award Nominees
NORRIS AITKEN MEMORIAL AWARD
This long time award recognizes a player who combines football ability, academic ability and other criteria schools deem to be an asset to all-round individuals. Norris Aitken was a longtime coach of the Dauphin Clippers and a commissioner for the RMFL for several years.
The 2022 nominees are:
The 2022 nominees are:
SouthWest Sabres
Jonah Friesen #42
Over the last couple of years Jonah has been a player that displays tenacity, and high intelligence for the game of football and academic endeavors. He is always the first to study and understand the playbook, has a great ability to read the plays and prep the defense on each and every play. He uses that same work ethic when it comes to his school work, while averaging in the 90’s in his classes.
Jonah does all this while Sailing on the provincial team, competing in the Summer games for Sailing as well as coaching sailing in the summer months. He also spent this past winter playing Manitoba Selects football, and was always very eager to learn and understand the game from the great coaching staff there.
Jonah is all around a terrific teammate and student, not only of the game but in class. He is forever smiling, pumping his teammates, reading a book or looking for answers to improve his team and himself. When I look around at the team while talking to them about the new play or upcoming drill, I can always count on Jonah to be paying attention, and being sure to understand the task at hand. This is a student, player of high aptitude, and enjoyed watching grow into a well rounded young man capable of whatever he puts his mind to since 2019.
Jonah Friesen #42
Over the last couple of years Jonah has been a player that displays tenacity, and high intelligence for the game of football and academic endeavors. He is always the first to study and understand the playbook, has a great ability to read the plays and prep the defense on each and every play. He uses that same work ethic when it comes to his school work, while averaging in the 90’s in his classes.
Jonah does all this while Sailing on the provincial team, competing in the Summer games for Sailing as well as coaching sailing in the summer months. He also spent this past winter playing Manitoba Selects football, and was always very eager to learn and understand the game from the great coaching staff there.
Jonah is all around a terrific teammate and student, not only of the game but in class. He is forever smiling, pumping his teammates, reading a book or looking for answers to improve his team and himself. When I look around at the team while talking to them about the new play or upcoming drill, I can always count on Jonah to be paying attention, and being sure to understand the task at hand. This is a student, player of high aptitude, and enjoyed watching grow into a well rounded young man capable of whatever he puts his mind to since 2019.
Parker guy memorial award
This award (initiated 2018) will be awarded to a Grade 11 or Grade 12 player. This award exemplifies character through involvement in football. Criteria:
- A love of football and positive influence to the camaraderie of the sport
- A strong commitment to the team; shows teammanship through modeling positive behaviors and actions
- Team first attitude
- Inclusiveness of all teammates; goes out of their way to make sure rookie players feel like they belong
- Sportsmanship and a high degree of integrity and maturity when communicating and working with coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials
- School and community involvement such as coaching a youth team would be considered an asset
Nominees 2022
Interlake Thunder
Tucker Knutson #1
Tucker was the starting QB to begin the year, but he suffered a shoulder injury in week 3 and only recently returned to the lineup. Still throughout his rehab he remained the most vocal leader on our team at every practice, and his return has been a massive boost to the team down the stretch. Tucker is an intense and intelligent player and leaves it all on the field on game day!
Tucker Knutson #1
Tucker was the starting QB to begin the year, but he suffered a shoulder injury in week 3 and only recently returned to the lineup. Still throughout his rehab he remained the most vocal leader on our team at every practice, and his return has been a massive boost to the team down the stretch. Tucker is an intense and intelligent player and leaves it all on the field on game day!
Coach of the year
This year there were nominations for Coach of the Year:
- Christof Hasselfield - Offensive Coordinator Interlake Thunder
- Chidi Small - Head Coach - Neepawa Tigers
- Mitch Obach - Head Coach - Interlake Thunder
Dauphin Clipper Photos courtesy of Pederson Photographic