User:Jeremy nantel/sandbox

The Orleans Bengals is a Canadian football club within the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) based in the Orleans area of Ottawa. The club was established in 1973 providing recreational opportunities to youth in Orleans. It The club has more than 250 participants, ranging in age from 7 to 19. The Orleans Bengals club offers cheerleading, girls touch football, flag football, and five different age groups of competitive tackle football.

Mandate Statement
The mandate of the Orleans Bengals is to create a program that is both competitive and recreational for the children and youth without compromising sportsmanship and fellowship among all participants. In addition, the Bengals intend to offer their program at a cost that is achievable to all potential participants of the program.The Orleans Bengals club's mission is to teach the fundamentals of amateur football all while promoting physical, mental and social well-being for the community's children.

Be A Bengal Not A Bully
The “Be A Bengal Not A Bully” program is anti-bullying and peer mentor initiative set forth by the Bengals in 2008. The objective of this program is to encourage the youth of the community to practice the values that are encouraged by the club and the NCAFA. The program runs during the off season (January to April). Leadership training sessions are provided free of charge and are open to all youth within the community of Orleans.

In 2012, the club won the Royal Ottawa Inspiration Award in the Community Category for their “Be A Bengal Not A Bully” program.

Youth In Sports Mental Health Summit
The Youth in Sports Mental Health Summit is an event that invites 75-100 male student athlete leaders (aged 13-19) from different sport communities in Orleans to participate to a discussion that involves ethical choices and adherence to the way young people are taught to treat teammates and opponents. The Bengals club professes that the positive growth and adaptation of marginalized youth are dependent on the resources available to said individual and to his or her family and community.

Expand The Reach Mental Health Clinic
The Expand The Reach Mental Health Clinic initiative is meant to encourage the coaches of the club to participante in Expand The Reach's workshop that aim to 1) familiarize coaches with mental health issues in the sport context and 2) begin to help them develop skills to foster a positive mental health environment within their programs. A survey is administered before and after the workshop to evaluate impact and shifts in thinking.

The Bengals club State on their website that "[c]oaches are often the front lines to athletes’ mental health. Therefore, it is helpful for coaches to have an understanding of the resources that are available to allow their athletes to reach their maximum potential in both their sporting and academic commitments. Expand the Reach is designed to provide to help coaches help their players."