A new sporting tradition honours Commanders of Canadian Fleet Pacific

Participants in an intramural touch football game from HMCS Calgary and other Base units gather for a group shot on Aug. 17 at the Colville Rd. Sports fields. HMCS Calgary’s team won the game and will move on to compete in the Commodore’s Cup football game versus 442 Squadron from CFB Comox. Photo: PSP

Peter Mallett, 
Staff Writer

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Military members on Vancouver Island will get the chance to partake in a new sporting tradition.

The first ever Commodore’s Cup flag football game will see Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) take on 442 Squadron in Comox on Oct. 14 at the Colville Road sports field.

Commodore (Cmdre) David Mazur said the competition is named in honour of current and past Commanders of Canadian Fleet Pacific (CANFLTPAC).

“The new competition stems from a conversation with the Fleet Chief about creating an event with some fitness and fun, and forging new sports rivalries,” Cmdre Mazur said. “We looked at building on the tradition of the Mini Grey Cup in Halifax and arrived at the idea of battling 442 Squadron in a flag football game.”

The highly popular Mini Grey Cup sees the Non-Commissioned Members (NCM) from the CFB Halifax Fleet Club compete against the Wardroom. MARPAC’s team will consist of sailors from HMCS Calgary’s intramural touch football team and other fleet members.

Lieutenant (Navy) David MacLellan, a Combat Systems Engineer with HMCS Calgary and MARPAC’s Team Captain and Quarterback, said his teammates relish the opportunity to take on 442 Squadron on the football field.

“There is a great deal of anticipation and excitement surrounding the game,” Lt(N) MacLellan said. “I think it will be a great morale booster since no games were held for the past few years because of COVID-19.”

Lt(N) MacLellan said the MARPAC team is still taking shape.

He and head coach Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Steve Simard, also of HMCS Calgary, are finalizing a 15-player roster, and are putting out ‘feelers’ with other units at the Base for additional players.

The team will begin practising for the game this week at the Colville Road sports fields.

“I believe we can put a solid and competitive line-up together, but in the end this competition is more about building camaraderie and Esprit Des Corps,” Lt(N) MacLellan said.