Ottawa Junior Riders

Ottawa Junior Riders
City	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
League	Canadian Junior Football League (2001–2005) Quebec Junior Football League (1995–2000, 2006–present)
Founded	1995 (as Gloucester Redskins)
Championships	1998,1999,2000,2006,2007,2008
Colours	formerly Burgundy, Yellow and White                currently Red, Black and White
Home field	Nepean Sportsplex

The Ottawa Junior Riders are a Canadian football team based in the Nepean area of Ottawa. The team began operations in 1995 as the Gloucester Redskins, and operated as such until the conclusion of the 1996 QJFL season. With the folding of the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders, the Gloucester Redskins changed their name to the current Ottawa Junior Riders and changed their colors from burgundy, yellow and white, to the current red, black and white. The organization began competing in the Quebec Junior Football League in 1995, and did so until the end of the 2000 season. In 2001 the Ottawa Junior Riders began play in the Ontario Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League. The Ottawa Junior Riders played in the CJFL until the end of the 2005 season, when they returned to the QJFL for the beginning of the 2006 season. Although the team did not garner much success in the OFC/CJFL, they have won 6 Manson Cup QJFL Championships in their 9 years of competition in that league (1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008). Since their entry in to the QJFL, the Ottawa Junior Riders have developed a great rivalry with the Ottawa Sooners. Both teams welcome a third team to the Ottawa area, the Cumberland Panthers.

The Ottawa Junior Riders currently play at the Nepean Sportsplex, but have previously called Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park their home.

Coaches

Dean Dorsey 1995-1998

Dan Murphy 1999-2002

Andy McEvoy 2003

Luigi Costanzo 2004-2009

Max Palladino 2010-

Notable former players

Scott Gordon, a Defensive Back for the Edmonton Eskimos.

Pat Fleming, played Punter for the Ottawa Renegades, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Lenard Semajuste played Fullback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Hall of Fame

The following is a list of Players, Coaches and Builders who have been inducted into the Ottawa Junior Riders Hall of Fame.

Bob Brazeau - Equipment Manager - Builder

Sue Brazeau - General Manager - Builder

Dave St-Pierre - Statistician - Builder

Teresa Gilchrist - General Manager - Builder

Karen Cameron - Trainer - Builder

Dean Dorsey - Head Coach - Coach

Dan Murphy - Head Coach - Coach

Eddie Ghantous - RB - Player

Scott Gordon - DB - Player

Steve Kasouf - LB - Player

Tucker McCabe - QB - Player

Devin Murphy - DB - Player

Richard Tremblay - WR - Player

Curtis McCausland - OL - Player

Casey Bergeron - OL - Player

Aaron Snow - OL - Player

Dexter Ross - DL - Player

Joe Costanzo - RB - Player

External links

• QJFL Website (English)
• Ottawa Junior Riders official website
• Canadian Junior Football League official website

Sources

• http://www.jrriders.highfivesports.ca/
• http://capitalregionfootball.info/index.php?pr=Junior_-_Jr_Riders
• http://www.emmediateweb.com/jrriders/jrhistory.asp