ANTHONY TO COMPETE ON WORLD STAGE

Alex Anthony, a freshman receiver for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks’ men’s football team, has been named to the Team World junior football roster as one of the top players aged 19 and under from across four different continents.

Later in January, Team World is set to face the United States junior national team, boasting the country’s top-ranked high school football seniors.

“To be selected for the world team is one of the greatest honours someone could ever receive,” said Anthony. “To represent your hometown, your province, your school and your country is one thing, but to represent the world is something only a select few will ever be able to experience.”
Coming into the season, Anthony was one of the most highly-touted recruits in the nation, and did not disappoint when the season started.

The kinesiology and physical education major made 21 catches for 330 yards and scored four touchdowns in his first season with the Golden Hawks.

Now Anthony will have the chance to share the field with the top U-19 players from Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Sweden and France.

Before clinching a spot on the final roster, Anthony’s game film and stats were reviewed, his former coaches were asked their input and his workout logs were tracked. A list of 100 top-seeded players was eventually cut down to the 45-man final roster.

The all-around athlete and academic was named B.C. High School Athlete of the Year in 2008, has represented Team Canada at the Junior National Football Championships and Team British Columbia for baseball, among other noteworthy accomplishments.

“An opportunity like this almost never comes along,” said Anthony, anticipating the experience. “This is the biggest game I’ve played to date.”

The game will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as part of Pro Bowl week in front of a live televised audience on the NFL Network on Jan. 30.