By Canadian Press

Former players Arthur, Bucknor among participants in Diversity in Football Program

Apr 12, 2023 | 12:41 PM

TORONTO — Former CFL players Jabari Arthur and Matt Bucknor will be among nine participants in the league’s Diversity in Football Program.

The nine participants will join a CFL team’s football operations department to acquire work experience over four weeks. The program includes taking part in training camps from May 14 to June 3.

Arthur, 40, of Montreal, is currently the offensive co-ordinator at the University of Calgary. Arthur was a receiver in the CFL with the Stampeders (2008-09, 2010-15) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2009).

Arthur will serve with Calgary’s coaching staff as part of the program. He began his coaching career in 2017 as a Stampeders guest coach before joining the University of Calgary as a receivers coach.

“Jabari was an intelligent player and I’m not surprised that he has made a smooth transition into coaching,” said Calgary head coach/GM Dave Dickenson. “With his enthusiasm and his knowledge of the game, Jabari will be a welcome addition at training camp.”

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Added Arthur: “I’m looking forward to another great learning opportunity. It was the Stampeders who first brought me to Calgary at the start of my playing career and they also gave me my first coaching opportunity as a guest coach at 2017 training camp. Now I’m coming back as Dinos offensive co-ordinator and it’s an opportunity to continue learning from that perspective.”

Bucknor was a CFL defensive back with Hamilton (2012-13), Winnipeg (2014-15), Calgary (2016) and the B.C. Lions (2017). The 37-year-old Hamilton native will participate with the Tiger-Cats coaching staff under the program.

Other participants include: Tara Mrakic, of LaSalle, Que. (Monteal Alouettes, coaching); Gregory Coates-Cameron of Guelph, Ont. (Ottawa Redblacks, coaching); Montreal’s Nicolas Larrieux (Toronto Argonauts, strength and conditioning); Alysha Emerson of Mississauga, Ont. (Winnipeg Blue Bombers coaching); Toronto’s Jack Louisdort (Saskatchewan Roughriders, coaching); Montreal’s Greig Longchamps (Edmonton Elks, coaching); and Khaalid Hicks of Longueuil, Que. (B.C. Lions coaching).

After completing the program last year, Nathan Taylor of LaSalle, Que., was hired by the Ottawa Redblacks as their running back coach.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2023.

The Canadian Press