Benn Ottosen, who recently graduated from St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Barrie, will be playing for gold at this weekend’s 2024 IFAF World Junior Football Championship in Alberta.
The 18-year-old offensive lineman, who is listed at six-foot-five and 300 pounds, is in Edmonton after being selected as one of 45 players from across the country to play as part of Team Canada 1 at the tournament, which features some of the top U20 football players from seven countries.
Being picked for the team was “a great honour," Ottosen told BarrieToday in between games from Edmonton.
“The coaches were telling us that the pride you feel when you hear your national anthem played when you’re on that field is like nothing else. It’s very true," he said. "I am grateful because it’s something that I have worked for for the past couple of years.
"I have really put a lot of time and effort into football, and it’s great that it’s paying off. I am excited," Ottosen added.
Being out on the field that first day was a “surreal experience," he said.
“Looking across the field and seeing the Brazil guys was an experience that I will play back in my head for a long time," Ottosen said. "Standing along a line of Canadian brothers of all ages that are the best of the best in football was just a crazy experience.
"It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is something I am never going to forget."
In addition to being part of his high school football team, he also played two seasons with the Huronia Stallions in the Ontario Summer Football League.
The teen, who will be heading to training camp at Waterloo's Wilfrid Laurier University in August, where he will be pursuing a bachelor of arts in management and economics, says he has always been involved in sports — but football just seemed to be the right fit.
“I have always played hockey, soccer, basketball … but being a bigger kid, football just kind of came naturally to me," he said. "I think football builds good values, and both me and my parents saw that it was leading me in a positive direction."
Ottosen says he enjoys the competitive nature of the sport, as well as being part of a second family.
“I love the guys back in Barrie on my high school and summer team," he said.
Ottosen and Team Canada 1 rolled over Brazil, 110-0, in the team's first game last weekend and are now set to take on Japan for gold on Sunday (June 30) at Commonwealth Stadium.
To win the tournament would be an amazing accomplishment, he said, especially since they’re the host team.
“It (would be) a three-peat and finish off a great trilogy," Ottosen said. "It would mean a lot to everyone on the team and the coaching staff. We’re back-to-back winners and to get that third one would feel really nice.”
