It will be one big celebration at Hugh Boyd Secondary School on Friday afternoon to honour two longtime teachers and their tremendous volunteer work on the football field.
Bill and Bruce Haddow will coach their final regular season home game when the Nanaimo’s John Barsby Bulldogs visit for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The brothers have been coaching in Richmond for 42 and 40 years respectively.
“It’s weird the way things work out. When we started this program 20 years ago, our first-ever game was at Barsby. Now here we have come full circle,” smiled Bill.
“I’m expecting a ton of alumni and former students to be coming out which I’m really looking forward to. I think it’s going to be an electric atmosphere out here. A big party and a nice celebration.”
Bruce won’t have to look far to find two other special people in his life nearby. His son Kyle is a member of the coaching staff while his wife Linda has rarely missed a game over the past 40 years.
“It’s going to be very emotional,” said Bruce. “For Bill and I, this (program) is our little baby here. I hope a lot of people come out not because it’s our last game. I want them to come see a good football team too. They will know Hugh Boyd Football is still going strong. It’s still valid and it’s still relevant. That’s what we are most proud of.
“It’s still competing and it’s still doing okay.”
In typical Haddow fashion, the brothers made it clear plenty of attention needs to be directed at the players too. For the seniors, it will also be their final home game.
“We’re going to make sure the focus is not away from these kids,” added Bill. “It’s not about us. This is their year and their team. I have had 42 years. They get two years of high school football.
“Some of the kids at practice have said ‘coach we will do it for you’ and I say don’t do it for me. I have lots of wins. I’m good. Win for yourself. They need it."
“First and foremost, I don’t want to take away that the focus is on Barsby and the focus is on winning,” added Bruce. “This team deserves that respect. It’s their year, not anybody else’s. We have had our years.
“Our attention this week will be fully on Barsby. These guys have worked too hard for anything less.”
