[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/HS-football.jpg” caption=”Inaugural McMaster High School Football Achievement Award Winners (L-R) Dave Walters ’94 and Rick Oreskovich. Photo credit: Cameron Dunlop”]McMaster Football, in partnership with the McMaster Friends of Football, is pleased to announced that Rick Oreskovich (Niagara Falls, ON) and Dave Walters (Hamilton, ON) are the recipients of the inaugural McMaster High School Football Achievement Awards.

The coaches were chosen from a group of nominees from the Halton/Hamilton-Wentworth/Niagara/Haldimand School Boards. The award recipients were selected based on several criteria, including their long term coaching commitment, classroom dedication and abilities to prepare athletes to compete in football programs at the elite level.

Oreskovich began his high school coaching as an assistant at Notre Dame in Welland in 1988 and was a major factor in building that team that captured the Niagara Region Premier Division championship in both 1999 and 2000. In 2001 he transferred to St. Paul, where he helped the football team win the play-off championship in the last two years. His endeavours have also been recognized as a finalist in the Canadian High School Coach of the Year program.

In addition to coaching, Oreskovich has been a catalyst to the growth of football in the Niagara region. In the 1990's, Niagara High School football was waning and many schools were discontinuing their football programs. He assembled a group of interested individuals and started the Niagara Minor Football Program. From a small start, the program has grown to one of the largest minor football programs in Ontario with 30 teams and over 700 players from Beamsville to Fort Erie. Coach Oreskovich has been President of this organization throughout.

Giancarlo Rapanaro, a former student football player from Oreskovich's program says, “He is the reason why the teams in the Niagara Region have been so successful and able to compete with the best in the province. The minor league teaches young, anxious players the proper techniques and playing schemes that develop them into the great High School athletes they are.”

Dave Walters from Westdale Secondary School has played an integral role in the resurrection of the Junior Football program in the Hamilton-Wentworth Board. His guiding principle in his life, which he instills in the players he coaches, is commitment to self and team. Chris Newman, sports convener for the school board says, “His passion for football at the high school level is virtually unrivalled and can only be compared with his concern for the students he coaches. Dave is committed to building strong individuals and believes that can be accomplished through football.”

Coach Walters believes strongly that practice plans must be very detailed so fellow coaches and players understand the play concepts. Not only does he demonstrate the need for preparation during the current season, he is adamant that his coaching skills and those of his players are constantly looking toward improvements for next season.

Current Westdale Warriors player, Michael Warner, admires Walters for his dedication and work ethic in the regular season and off-season. “He combines fun and exciting drills with his knowledge of important techniques and skills to ensure the players are getting better everyday, both mentally and physically.”

McMaster Head Coach, Stefan Ptaszek comments, “Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Haldimand/Norfolk are considered hotbeds for football in Canada. The strength of football in this region is a direct result of the quality of the coaches, and it is the coaches we are looking to recognize through this program.”

Each recipient of the High School Football Coaching Achievement Award will receive $1000 in athletic equipment and two tickets to the Football Gala Dinner on April 26. For information on the event or to obtain tickets contact Coach Ben Chapdelaine 905-525-9140 ext. 23566 or Shelley Merlo at 905-525-9140 ext. 23628.