Ben McAuley (blue, centre) carries the ball during a game this past season. (Notre Dame)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

all-around great student-athlete

Football player at Red Deer’s Notre Dame selected for national showcase

May 9, 2025 | 6:11 PM

Ben McAuley, a 6’3″ 180 pound wideout for Red Deer’s Notre Dame Senior Cougars football squad, has been selected to play in the 2025 CFC Prospect Game in Hamilton, ON, later this month.

The game features 72 of the nation’s best young football stars, with McAuley one of 10 invitees from Alberta. He’s also one of 12 wide receivers who’ll be playing.

“It means a lot to me to be selected to the CFC Showcase. I am very excited for this opportunity to be able to represent my school, coaches, teammates, friends and family that have supported me this far in my football journey,” the teen said.

“I am extremely excited to be able to showcase myself and my school to the rest of the country.”

To qualify, one must attend a CFC evaluation camp, and perform well in a combine which includes a 40-yard dash, a 5-10-5 shuttle, as well as vertical and broad jump events.

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Ian Rattan, the Senior Cougars Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, said McAuley is the epitome of what an École Secondaire Notre Dame student-athlete should be.

(Supplied)

“Ben is naturally talented and gifted in multiple levels of athletics. He has been extremely coachable, a great teammate, and his ability to pick up on nuances of technique is second-to-none. He does not have a go-slow speed – he is in it 100 per cent when he plays on the field and court,” said Rattan.

“In grade 10, he broke a track and field zone record in the long jump that had been standing since 1965. He continued where he left off in grade 11 and was a contributing member on offence, defence and special teams for the Senior Cougars.”

On the basketball court, McAauley has also been counted on for sound defence, leadership and offensive putbacks.

During the 2024 regular season, McAuley scored four punt return TDs, and one kick return TD, plus he had 171 yards rushing on 11 carries with two TDs, 14 receptions for 450 yards with four TDs, and one interception.

“Ben is an incredible human being. He always had a smile on his face and was always looking for ways to help out his coaches and teammates,” added Rattan.

Previous CFC Prospect Game participants have committed to NCAA schools in the United States and USports schools in Canada. A number of players who attended the inaugural game in 2019 were eligible for the 2025 Canadian Football League (CFL) draft, which was held on April 29.

This year, CFL on TSN analysts Davis Sanchez and Milt Stegall will return as special head coaches. Sanchez and Stegall are both former professional football players who played in both the National Football League (NFL) and CFL.

Team rosters will be announced Tuesday, May 20 on Canadianfootballchat.com. The 2025 CFC Prospect Game kicks off at 11:15 a.m. (EST) on Saturday, May 24.