The Ottawa Junior Riders are a Canadian football team based in the Nepean area of Ottawa that plays in the Quebec Junior Football League. The Junior Riders play at the Nepean Sportsplex, but have previously called Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park their home.

History

The team began operations in 1995 as the Gloucester Redskins, and operated as such until the conclusion of the 1996 QJFL season. With the folding of the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders, the Gloucester Redskins changed their name to the current Ottawa Junior Riders and changed their colors from burgundy, yellow and white, to the current red, black and white. The organization began competing in the Quebec Junior Football League in 1995, and did so until the end of the 2000 season. In 2001, the Ottawa Junior Riders began play in the Ontario Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League. The Ottawa Junior Riders played in the CJFL until the end of the 2005 season, when they returned to the QJFL for the beginning of the 2006 season. Although the team did not garner much success in the OFC/CJFL, they have won nine QJFL Championships over their time in that league (1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2019). Upon their entry into the QJFL, the Junior Riders had developed a rivalry with the Ottawa Sooners, but the Sooners moved to the CJFL in 2009. The Junior Riders again left the QJFL after the 2013 season, but returned to the league for the 2017 season.

Coaches

Dean Dorsey 1995-1998 Dan Murphy 1999-2002 Andy McEvoy 2003 Luigi Costanzo 2004-2009 Max Palladino 2010-2017 Rob Bento 2018–present

Notable former players

Scott Gordon, a Defensive Back for the Edmonton Eskimos. Pat Fleming, played Punter for the Ottawa Renegades, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Lenard Semajuste played Fullback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ettore Lattanzio, played on the Defensive Line for the Ottawa Redblacks

Hall of Fame

The following is a list of Players, Coaches and Builders who have been inducted into the Ottawa Junior Riders Hall of Fame. Bob Brazeau - Equipment Manager - Builder Sue Brazeau - General Manager - Builder Dave St-Pierre - Statistician - Builder Teresa Gilchrist - General Manager - Builder Karen Cameron - Trainer - Builder Dean Dorsey - Head Coach - Coach Dan Murphy - Head Coach - Coach Eddie Ghantous - RB - Player Scott Gordon - DB - Player Steve Kasouf - LB - Player Tucker McCabe - QB - Player Devin Murphy - DB - Player Richard Tremblay - WR - Player Curtis McCausland - OL - Player Casey Bergeron - OL - Player Aaron Snow - OL - Player Dexter Ross - DL - Player Joe Costanzo - RB - Player Brandon Mahon - OL/LB - Player Defensive tackle Nicholas Rouleau

Sources