Five players from the U18 CBN Warriors Football team in Carbonear have been picked for Team NL as the province prepares to host the annual Atlantic Bowl this summer.

Football is starting to gain traction in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Warriors coach Paul Stamp says his football club’s retention rate is high.

“We have a high 90 per cent return rate,” says Stamp, “so once we get them, we’ve got them. They love it.”

Stamp, who has been playing the game for years, says football teaches many fundamentals, and benefits athletes in various sports.

“I call it…an ultimate team sport” he says, “every single person has to contribute something on the field in order for the play to happen. It teaches a lot of discipline, (and) for the younger kids there’s a lot of fundamental movements, so it’s real good for development of athletes.”

Stamp says for those concerned about injury and body contact, concussion awareness is a big part of the sport these days, and it’s become much safer as a result.

The Atlantic Bowl is taking place this July in Paradise.