ST. PAUL – As the Ndose family settles into their seats, there is a tangible sense of excitement in the air. Helmon, the family's eldest son of five children, has just committed to playing football for the Manitoba Bisons after a successful career as a defensive lineman for the St. Paul Lions, and previously the St. Paul Bengals.
Helmon's mother, Sylvia, speaks first. "We're excited about his whole journey. He enjoys playing football. That is what really matters. And to see him go far in the sport that he has developed love for is important," she says.
Helmon, who plans to study sports and recreation management while at university, explains that his decision stems from his love for sports and the community. “Sports have been a huge part of my life. I also want to one day help my community in different ways,” says the Grade 12 St. Paul Regional High School student.
"If it's not for the community, I wouldn't be playing football and I don't think I'd committed to the University of Manitoba,” he says.
But every new journey comes with a past.
Before becoming a two-time best defensive lineman and league defensive MVP in the Wheatland Football League, Helmon and his family had to make the long trek from his birthplace in Cameroon, West Africa.
Cameroon to Germany
Born in West Africa, at a young age, Helmon moved with his family to Germany, where his parents studied and worked. "It was a big change,” he recalls.
"But I would think it got a little bit easier because I had my family help me get more comfortable in the country. So, at some point, it became easy, and it felt good."
Sylvia adds, “We moved to Germany for better opportunities for ourselves and for our children." To which Alfred, Helmon's father, agreed.
While the country was welcoming, it was not without its challenges, including the language barrier, explains Alfred. The family dreamed of moving to an English-speaking country.
"We chose Canada because my brother lives here, as well as my cousin, so it was easy for us to make that decision,” says Alfred. “When I first came to visit, I fell in love with the place and we decided to come to Canada.”
Germany to Canada
The family came straight to St. Paul as soon as they landed in Edmonton in 2019.
St. Paul proved to be a warm and welcoming community for the family, who quickly found support and friendship from their neighbours. "When we moved to St. Paul, it felt really warm and nice. People are friendly, and everybody wants to get to know you,” says Sylvia.
For Helmon, the move to Canada was a significant improvement. "I could actually understand what [people] were saying. So, it made it way easier for me. I was happy about the changes. It turned out for the best," he says.
Helmon was in Grade 9 when he first came to Canada.
Football
During his first week, Helmon recalls how he went to the school’s gym and saw people playing different sports. He saw a soccer ball and began playing. A teacher came up to him, introducing himself as a coach, and asked Helmon to try out for the football team.
That teacher and coach was Todd Tanasichuk, according to Helmon. Emails were exchanged between his parents, asking if Helmon would be interested playing “football.”
Sylvia says that they initially refused. “We were worried for him... moving from Cameroon to Germany,” then finally to Canada. “It was a lot of moving,” she says. She and Alfred were also prioritizing their son’s education.
“Sports was the last thing in our minds,” she recalls.
Tanasichuk assured them that teachers would do their best to help with Helmon’s schooling. “So that made us think... if they will help him... then I’m good. That was the conversation with the coach.”
First Practice
Walking into his first practice, Helmon recalls being confused as he looked around. He saw people wearing gear and helmets. “I’ve never seen a soccer game where [players] wear helmets and other stuff... so, I was shocked.”
He quickly realized the sport he had signed up to play was not soccer or the “football” he had known in Germany, but instead it was Canadian football.
However, he stuck to it, slowly falling in love with the sport, studying the ins and outs. He decided to “stay... and keep going.”
Since then, Helmon has made his mark. He joined the Football Alberta U18 Team North in the 2021 Summer Series. And he is moving to Manitoba this summer.
“It’s going to be a little bit scary,” he admits, but he hopes he will be able to call Manitoba his home for the next four years. “Just like how St. Paul’s my home.”
He then glances to his parents when posed a question about time management and his studies, smiling, he says, “I have my parents at my back all the time.” They make sure, “I had my things down... and on point with everything.”
His parents have always pushed him and taught him discipline, he says.
Sylvia admits she has concerns, explaining that as parents, it will be the first time their child is separated from them when Helmon heads to university. “So, we are on this journey together. We are nervous, but excited at the same time.”
The family offers a big thank-you to the community, the St. Paul football program, and all who have given their support and guidance.
