Porter Wilson Recipient 2016 - Chris Mann - Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

NINETEENTH RECIPIENT

PORTER WILSON AWARD 2016

CHRIS MANN

DUNCAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

CHRIS MANN

" My one big thing I try to tell coaches and players is to be positive in every thing you say, my biggest word I avoid and have taken from my vocabulary is the word ( don't ) always think before you speak and if you do that you will always find a way of saying what you want them to do with positive words."

- Chris Mann

We welcome everyone to come and try the tournament ( Some times Wendy and I supply our house for a team, I know crazy )

and with only 21 teams able to take part it fills up quickly.

In that time we have also held an annual tournament we call The Sun Bowl now in it's 31 year ( the Pacific Northwest Women's Football Championships. For this again several of us had an idea which grew into an annual affair, drawing teams from Texas, Mexico, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, and some of these women have traveled from Montreal, Toronto, Florida and Boston.

COWICHAN WOMEN FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The idea was put out to the general public and 4 weeks later we had a women's football league comprised of 4 teams. Over the next 32 years ( with huge support from my wife Wendy ) we have gone from 4 to 12 and back down to 7 and have had women playing from the age of 16 to 50 plus. I have helped coach and ref and help form several of these teams with the help of other coaches and my brothers.

The competition is always intense, yet the friendships that the women make last a life time. It has been in the last few years that we adjusted to the use of the pop flags ( thank you Porter Wilson ) and this has changed a great number of things in the game today.

Chris Mann left, his dad right (94yrs). "My dad use to say when in doubt punt". I lost a championship game because I forgot to punt" In 1971 my brother an I and some friends started a minor program which became a huge success, ( I must say that coming from a large family had it's benefits as there was always help and support from my Mum and Dad and brothers & Sister and my. Wife Wendy and children )

So my life started off in Saskatchewan Canada in a small town called Fillmore (very small). At 3 our family moved to the beautiful Cowichan Valley (Duncan) and here along with my 4 brothers and sister we made our home. Sports was always foremost for my one brother the rest of us had other hobbies. I had a tendency for art so that was my end goal, but in 1965 football came to the valley and it became the thing we all did with Sunday being the big draw for the City.

"It has been in the last few years that we adjusted to the use of the pop flags ( thank you Porter Wilson )

and this has changed a great number of things in the game today."

- CHRIS MANN

	Debbie McGougan wanted to step away from her cheerleading duties and step onto the field and it was her drive and determination and the help of some friends that the Cowichan Women's Football League was born. The league recognizes Debbie McGougan as the founder of the league and in so doing have a perpetual trophy in her name for most inspirational player.

Debbie McGougan-credited with founding the Cowichan Women's Flag Football League


: CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS MANN

19th recipient of the Porter Wilson Award.

CHRIS MANN ON HIS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER CYCLE RIDE	CHRIS MANN'S DAUGHTER RACHEL PADDLE

	"Women's flag football seems a never ending passion that is worth every minute spent. I have helped cultivate the spirit of the sport with the help of many people and I always tell anyone who will listen, it takes a team effort to keep something alive as beautiful as the game of Flag Football, so as I wait for my Granddaughter Grace to be old enough to play with her mum Rachel (my daughter). I will continue to welcome new ideas that will help us keep the dream alive for Debbie and create more opportunities for women to learn the game". - Chris Mann

"Women's flag football seems a never ending passion that is worth every minute spent. I have helped cultivate the spirit of the sport with the help of many people and I always tell anyone who will listen, it takes a team effort to keep something alive as beautiful as the game of Flag Football, so as I wait for my Granddaughter Grace to be old enough to play with her mum Rachel (my daughter). I will continue to welcome new ideas that will help us keep the dream alive for Debbie and create more opportunities for women to learn the game".

- Chris Mann

Porter Wilson Award

The Inventor of the Sonic Boom Belts & Flags and Founder of Flag A Tag

Porter was our biggest supporter for girls and women's flag football
.
In Memory and to Honor
We Bestow the Porter Wilson Award