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JASON COLERO
Toronto Argonauts Manager, Community Relations
Jason Colero started as a water boy and now, 25 years later, he’s the heart and soul of Argos’ community outreach programs. The friendly and energetic Manager of Community Relations now educates youth through a myriad of programs he leads throughout the GTA.
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I’m getting excited about Friday’s game as it will feature minor football, and that’s pretty special. In order to grow this Canadian game we need to start at its roots. How can you expect a tree to bear fruit if the roots aren’t healthy?
I think we, as Canadians, have a responsibility to ensure that our grassroots be as healthy as possible. Last game, I gave a tour to two young lads from P.E.I., Josh and Jeremy. They play minor football and the two people with them manage P.E.I. minor football and their excitement to see the field and be among their Argos heroes was rewarding to me. Even coming from more than 1,500 KM away, they still knew quite a bit about the Argos. It made me think: sometimes we all need to look at the excitement of youth toward the Double Blue so that we can genuinely understand how much of an impact we are making.
I thought I would turn this blog over to an expert in the grassroots sector, a minor football player named Garrett Holmes. He not only is a minor football player, but he also understands the significance of giving back. I know you will enjoy this as much as I did.
Hi everyone,
My name is Garrett Holmes – I just turned 11 (on July 9th) and I play summer football with the Atom Halton Cowboys – part of the Ontario Minor Football League.
I’m the quarterback for the team and we’re having a good season. The summer season just ended and we ended up in third place – only losing to the top team in the league (twice). Playoffs begin on Saturday.
I love football. It is my favorite sport; I gave up playing rep. soccer to play football. I couldn’t do both – and I like football a lot more. I like soccer, I just like football more, but playing soccer actually also helps my football.
The best thing about football is the guys on the team. We have lots of fun even though we work really hard. Football is hard, especially in the summer. It is really hot sometimes and, with all the equipment on, running around is really hot and tiring. We all look out for each other on the field and we all cheer each other on both in practices and in the games. That’s the best thing.
Our team got to go to the Argos’ home opener against Calgary and play a few plays at halftime. It was amazing and very exciting. Running down the corridor to the field then seeing the field from down on the field was really neat. The game looks a lot different from down there; the crowd cheering, the players being so close, it was great!
When we got on the field and ran some plays you could hear the crowd. When I was running, I could hear them cheering louder. The crowd was really loud when I scored a touchdown. It was neat.
I was pulled out of the scrimmage on the field – to be interviewed for GO GARRETT GO. People pledge an amount for every touchdown I score or throw during the season. The money goes to Children’s Miracle Network Hosptials or Free the Children. I’ve scored 15 touchdowns, so far, and raised over $18,000!!! I like scoring the touchdowns knowing it is helping kids who can’t do the things they like to do. To read why I did GO GARRETT GO, go to my website: www.gogarrettgo.com. While you are there help me help “kids who can’t”, and pledge today!
I love football!!!
Thanks Garrett, for inspiring us and showing us that youth football is on the rise here in Canada. Hey Argos Fans, enjoy Grassroots Football Day on July 23rd and let the youth hear you cheer!
Make your passion your Life.
Jason
Have questions or comments for Jason? You can e-mail him at jcolero@argonauts.ca.