Jeffrey Bannon named new WHSFL commissioner

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This article was published 25/03/2019 (2624 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Garden City junior varsity football coach said he is feeling like a child at Christmas now that he will be filling the position left vacant by former Winnipeg High School Football League commissioner Rick Henkewich.

On March 18, the WHSFL announced that Jeffrey Bannon will be taking over as commissioner. The former president of the North Winnipeg Nomads is coming off two successful seasons with the Garden City Collegiate junior varsity football team, a program he helped start and said was one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had in the game.

“There you are taking athletes, both male and female, that traditionally have not played the game of football. A lot of them are brand new to the country, brand new even to the climate. People see snow for the first time, and then you put a helmet and shoulder pads on them, and if that doesn’t make you smile, you’re in the wrong business,” he continued.

“For athletes to gain more social acceptance in their school and with their peers because they are part of a team, that’s a huge smile on my face, and that a huge part of the reason why I love the game of football.” 

Bannon is well-versed in anything related to football on and off the field. In addition to working with the Nomads and the Gophers, Bannon also served as coach of the U16 provincial team and is currently general manager of the U18 team. He was also the director of marketing, retail and community relations with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2005 to 2014.

As commissioner, Bannon will be busy with the 45 teams, 1,300 athletes and 300 coaches, continuing the work Henkewich started.

“The anticipation of the upcoming season is our Christmas, and as we work forward to plan and get ready for that it’s a cool experience, and humbling and honouring,” he said.

Bannon said he wants to continue to work with Football Canada and the high school teams in Winnipeg to educate them on how to stay safe while playing football. He also wants to ensure coaches have the development and resources that they need, everything from training to equipment to quality fields. He also hopes to grow the league’s social media and to celebrate the athletes Winnipeg has.

Going back to his high school years, Bannon didn’t have the opportunity to play football but has always been a fan of the game.

“Growing up in the Nomads culture and the Nomads area, to see what the game of football can do, especially to that community and sometimes our athletes don’t have the same upbringing as everybody else, and football sometimes keeps these kids out of trouble. And that drives my fuel; that drives my passion. If someone wants to play football, especially in the WHSFL, they are more than welcome to, and we welcome everyone,” the West Kildonan Collegiate graduate said.

The 43-year-old commissioner first met Henkewich while working with the Bombers, and said the older man has been a mentor for almost his entire coaching career.

“We talked football all the time, and for anyone that knows Commissioner Henkewich, he is a right-to-the-point type of guy and the life lessons not only inside but outside of football are shared today. He is my first phone call if I have any issues. I still want him to be involved because he spent six years devoting his life to this league, and that should never be forgotten,” Bannon said.

Joining Bannon as WHSFL junior varsity commissioner will be Brian Marks who has played with and coached the St. John’s High School football team. He won a league championship as a player for the St John’s Tigers in 1972 and, although he retired as the Tigers head coach in 2003, he is still involved as an assistant coach and was present when his team won the Division 3 championship in 2018.

Bannon and Marks worked together on the board of Football Manitoba.

“He is another mentor. His skill set, his knowledge but also his willingness to do whatever is best for the league is an example, and if I could just mimic some of that I’d be happy,” Bannon added.

Mike Still will return as WHSFL communications co-ordinator and will be responsible for keeping the league’s social media and website up to so that supporters have an opportunity to learn more about them.