Page 13 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 145

Riley Jean-Thomas

Hamelin Nadeau

By Victoria Klassen By Victoria Klassen

Riley Hamelin, a linebacker
Jean-Thomas Nadeau,
with the U14 NCAFA
known as J-T to his Wildcats
Cornwall Wildcats, was
teammates and coaches, is
drawn to playing football from
a running back. He is also a
watching his older brother,
kicker and sometimes plays
Connor, play.
defense when needed.
“It looked fun, so I joined because When Jean-Thomas saw his
I wanted to become a great player
older brother playing football for
like him,” Riley explained.
At seven years old, Riley started playing house league football the Wildcats, he knew that he also wanted to play football. He
with the Glengarry Gaels. He joined the Cornwall Wildcats joined the Wildcats in 2021 as a tyke and has been playing with
in 2021 as a tyke and has been playing with them since. This them ever since.
season, he will be playing at the senior peewee level. “Last year I was fortunate enough to make it to the RedBlack
“I love being a part of a team. We start as one big unit and weekend for Team Ontario. It was a great experience. I intend to
grow together. I like the physical endurance of the sport and try out again for Team Ontario this year in order to get ready
the excitement on game day,” Riley said. for next season,” said Jean-Thomas.
He said last season he worked hard and focused on his position His goal for this season, which will officially kick off in the

so that on game day he did not hesitate to make a play. Tryouts summer, is to make it over 1,000 rushing yards.
for this season will begin in July with the first game starting in “This season I hope to make it to the A cup with my team,” said

August. Jean-Thomas. “It will be a lot of hard work, but I am ready.”
“I am looking forward to having another great season and Part of what Jean-Thomas loves about football is the contact,
hopefully making it to the provincials with my team,” said the running, the strategies, the teamwork, and how everyone
Riley. has an important role to play.
One of Riley’s favourite memories with the Wildcats is from His favourite Wildcats memory is his 2023 season with coach
2023 when his mosquito team had an undefeated season with ten Chris Leonard, where the team went undefeated and made it
wins, and the team won the NCAFA A Cup U12 Championship to the A cup championship game.
and Tier 1 U12 finalists. “I really like the coaches and the club, and I have made friends.

“I’d like to thank my coaches and my teammates for their We are a small club, but we are strong,” said Jean-Thomas
support, and my parents for all that they do,” shared Riley. about the Cornwall Wildcats Football Club.
“I like being a part of the Wildcats as they are like family. We “I would like to thank all the Wildcats coaching staff who are
have great coaches and great teammates.” helping me push my limits and become a better leader.”

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