Football Canada announces the addition of 30 players to the under-19 national team, which will compete in the 2016 International Bowl Series on January 31 against the U.S. national team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Bison offensive lineman Zack Williams is one of those 30 players selected to the roster.
Williams, 18 (turns 19 in February 2016), finished his first season at Manitoba and the 6'6", 285 lbs. O-lineman was on the roster and played in all eight conference during the 2015 season. The Winnipeg native also played in the one playoff contest with the Bisons and played high school at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate. Williams was also part of the 2015 U18 national team at the International Bowl.
Canada's U19 national team will be coached at the International Bowl by the Junior National Team coaching staff for a second consecutive year.
Canada's under-18 national team will also be taking part in the 2016 International Bowl with games on January 31 against the U.S. U19 Selects followed by the U.S. U18 national team on February 3. Canada's under-18 national team was selected from participants of the 2015 under-18 national tackle football championship, the Football Canada Cup, which took place July 13-19, in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Canada's U18 and U19 national team programs represent a pool of identified players in preparation for the 2016 worlds. Based on player's performances at this year's International Bowl, a roster of 45 players will be selected to represent their country at the 2016 IFAF U19 World Championship in China.
The International Bowl, held to coincide with NCAA's National Signing Day, was established in 2010 as an annual Team USA versus the World game until it transitioned into its current format in 2014.
Bison Notes: Other Bisons that have played in the International Bowl over the previous years include defensive back Jayden McKoy (2014), receiver/kick returner Nic Demski (2013) plus running back/kick returner Anthony Coombs and defensive lineman Evan Gill (2012).
More information is available at www.footballcanada.com or www.InternationalBowl.com.
