Sports
NFL Flag Vancouver and Showtime Digital Collaborate to Support Grassroots Football
UBC Thunderbirds alumnus Malcolm Lee has partnered with NFL Flag Vancouver to support grassroots football in British Columbia. Lee, who runs Showtime Digital, joined forces with NFL Flag Vancouver to organize a football camp in North Vancouver. The camp aimed to prepare high school and youth football players for potential college opportunities and featured testing in the 40-yard dash, L drill, and broad jump. Participants were also divided into position groups and had the opportunity to showcase their skills in one-on-one and seven-on-seven competitions.
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The camp brought together former U SPORTS football players, CFL and NFL players, and coaching staff from North America to provide guidance and mentorship. The goal was to connect current college and professional athletes with the youth of the next generation and empower them with skills and values that extend beyond the field. The camp also emphasized digital skills and recruiting knowledge to prepare athletes for the digital space as they navigate their athletic careers.
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The top performers at the camp had their testing footage sent to head coaches at various Canadian universities, such as the Western Mustangs, Laurier, and UBC. Lee, who played for the Thunderbirds from 2015 to 2018, feels a strong connection to Vancouver and is grateful for the support he had growing up. He sees this collaboration as a way to give back to his community and pass on the knowledge and skills he gained.
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Lee’s personal journey from offense to defense during his time at UBC, with the guidance of Defensive Coordinator Pat Tracey, played a significant role in his success and inspired him to help others overcome adversity and learn something new.
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In addition to potentially hosting more events like this in the future, Showtime Digital is also developing an app called Free Game, set to be released by the end of 2024. The app aims to help the next generation of athletes network and find mentorship opportunities with professional athletes in the NFL and CFL.
