John comes from a family of 18. A band of 10 brothers coupled with 6 sisters! And as this is being posted, all 16 siblings still alive, ages 55 thru 76~ Do you believe in Miracles? That’s 16 kids (no twins!) over a 21 year period.
Just a tip! If and when you meet John be forewarned that you will likely leave feeling much better than when you first met him. Likely with a smile from meeting the man that is always smiling. John suffers from major addictions…ALL GOOD: FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY, PLAY, SPORTS & RECREATION, SPEAKING, MENTORING, and HUGGING! and more. His passion is infectious. He believes in the simplicity and power of play and through his PLAY and Grass roots SPORTS, coupled with his being sought after to speak in schools and at events…John IS making a difference in so many lifes and families. And he has never stopped playing. First with his brothers, then with his sons, and now with grand kids. And he is still active in his sports and also running, cycling, and more. His most fun? While running his free sports drop ins for area youths within his JUST LET THEM PLAY programs, with the whistle around his neck…he will often be drawn into playing by the youths, and crank up the music to dance while playing and before you know it…the youths are laughing and dancing too.
And as shared within this site, John has never regretted choosing his passion for playing with and serving the amateurs over playing with the pros. In excess of 120,000 participants have taken part in John’s programs (leagues, tournaments, special events….over past 5 decades). And John can be proud of the path he has blazed for others, both off and on the rinks, sand courts, diamonds, gyms and the events, halls and classrooms he speaks in . And John’s many sports records have yet to be broken. Two that he is quite proud of is having 7 interceptions in a single touch football league game and 32 INT’s in a single season…both set at the age of 40 and likely never to be broken. When he is asked as to when he will stop playing he says “With my last breath!”
John’s philosophy in LIFE is simple! WE ARE ALL FAMILY! Just … LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
And John, a lover of HISTORY …citing his pride in his 100% mark in Grade 12 Final Exam (4 essays) often looks to the past as insight and fuel for the present and future. He loves and strives to live one of John Wesley’s (1703-1791) quotes ..
“Do all the good you can, everywhere you can, as often as you can, for all you can, as long as you can.”
And John has often been asked “Are you really working or are you just always playing?” John believes he is simply ‘paying back’ what was given to him through out his early and formative years at St Ignatius and St Pauls and giving ‘Hope and Encouragement’ is front and center in all he does! Born and raised in the south end within the St Ignatius Parish, John credits his 8 years at St Ignatius School and 4 at Saint Pauls High for so much.
And one very special young man is none other than Winnipeg Blue Bomber star, Andrew Harris whom John has known since Andrew was 15 and playing in John’s touch football league. Andrew has two names for John: MR. HARRY HOOD (the award given to the top player in high school football league which John was awarded) and John’s fav from Andrew …..which is POP (for Prince Of Play! lol). John told Andrew that though he looked good in the orange and black uniform of the BC Lions…he looked better in the blue he wore at both Grant Park High and Oak Park…and would look BEST in Blue with his home town Bombers! How nice! As of July, John predicts a Bomber and Tie cats Grey Cup…reliving the glory years of late 50’s and 60’s when Bombers met Ti Cats 6 times in 8 years and won 4 CUPS!
Two decades past, the GLOBAL NETWORK produced and broadcast a documentary titled THE RICHEST MAN IN TOWN, modeled after the Jimmy Stewart Christmas Classic “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE!” Marble Island Productions Ritchard Findlay, producer, was to hi lite the appeal and success of the Canford Sports Centre that John founded and it’s programs but soon shifted the spot light onto the man behind Canford. The doc shared John’s journey in establishing Canford Sports as one of the finest centres in all of Canada committed to grass root sports participation for & by all within the community. And the camera also showed John’s passion and his love and caring for those that were unable to ‘pay to play’, especially under priviledged kids & families. His commitment to and for the amateurs was at the front & centre! JUST LET THEM PLAY was an ever present practice.
In filming the documentary on John and his programs, he was asked why he chose this path in Life, passing on scholarships and his goal of pro football or other more lucrative professions, choosing his boys …his family..and his passion to serve others. Above is a short clip of John’s response back then but it didn’t make it into the doc on John’s request with him getting a little emotional about his brothers at the end. The clip ends with a 50 second add on of 13 of the many many kids that participate in John’s JUST LET THEM PLAY! program. They were treated like the pros…while stepping on to the hockey rink, with jerseys on their backs, sticks in their hands, and spongee shoes on their feet!
And John has also noticed several trends that has inspired him to do even more, especially with our boys as they become teens and are NOT yet FULLY prepared for or aware of the most formative 10 years ahead of them. And with so many families being ‘torn apart’ with mom and dad no longer together and with so many fathers NOT being DADS…or absent or never been there…many of our boys may be struggling within a decade that they need the MOST in guidance, caring, encouragement, hope, hugs and LOVE…and DAD in the stands, if not on the sidelines! MOMS are seemingly always doing ‘double duty’!
John also sees so much pressure (and expectations) upon our youths. When speaking in schools John has discovered that many of our high school youths are conflicted in ‘living up’ to parents expectations respective of career choices or their parent’s desires…..more so than their own, any many kids have told John they just cannot let their parents know.
And those that are exceptional athletes feel pressured to do all they can in pursuit of that goal of playing professional! John simply shares within his talks that each and every youth should discover their passion and then pursue it! Would it not make MOST sense to awake each morning and look forward to going to work? And John sees so many ‘sure bets’ (as far as possible pro prospects) decide to NOT pursue that course, having graduated from high school….intent upon their ‘passion goals’ and simply having FUN with respect to other sports and recreation options for LIFE! And John has frequently had students slip him their contact info after talks!
And on an additional note! John also urges parents to please connect with their kids ever so often while they pursue their goals and dreams and just let them know that you love them and if and when they no longer feel that ‘desire’ to go forward in the direction they first chose…that’s fine…they can pause…take time to reconsider all…then go after whatever else they feel drawn to!
And John has also discovered that 90% of Mothers, if not 99%, simply want to see their kids be HAPPY in doing something THEY wish and want to do in life. And you cannot fool MOMS! Moms know everything about their kids. Within minutes of seeing them, they know if something is amiss. LOL
And John is so proud to have Saint Pauls High students perform Christian service hours within his programs. Helping within John’s free sports youth drop ins and also with looking after the sports facilities and and at special events.
John is proudly named after is Uncle John, founding father of the Manitoba Marathon, infamous media personality & award winning sportswriter and the man that started the RIDER PRIDE movement in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Riders back in 1979 ~ His Uncle was also an alum of Saint Paul’s High in Winnipeg. John speaks at the Annual Marathon Media event every Fathers Day…and presents the awards in honor of his Uncle.
Besides being a son, brother, father of 4, grandfather of 12….John, in his words, has been fortunate enough to have lived his passion since that very first day playing with his brothers! His love for the ‘simplicity’ of play even before grade 1 has shaped not only HIS life but many many others.. over the span of 5 decades. Besides his desire in providing sports facilities and ‘grass root’ sports programs, he is now a sought after motivational speaker and a mentor to many youths, young adults & parents, especially single parent families that cannot afford to have their kids participate in the more costly structured sports. John has also stressed what he calls his “WE ARE ALL FAMILY!” invitation…..welcoming immigrant families to participate too! John has provided his JUSTLETTHEMPLAY.CA initiative within the community to enable so many youths and even entire families, to JUST PLAY! John has never forgotten where he came from! He often talks about the kind & caring souls that allowed the Robertson kids to play organized sports within the Fort Rouge & Crescentwood areas without paying any registration fees at all. Something he has never forgotten. PRICELESS~
Since 1985 John has been approached by every political party and at all levels of government to run for office. Only once did John consider putting his name up…but after sleeping on it, (as he has shared) he came to his senses the very next morning and chose to continue serving the amateurs at the grassroots level and to keep a special vision ‘simmering’ on the back burner …..which recently has been moved to the front. And with respect to this ‘special vision’, a dream approaching 30 years….when many have told John that he should just ‘move on’…no one could have done more, what is John’s answer?
” If someone can tell me how to undo a handshake made or take back a promise given…I will move on! Til then, I will never ever give up on my goal. And GOD will decide if it is meant to be…not me. I have come to not only understand…but appreciate and accept….that all happens within HIS timing……not mine. And as I share within talks.. Better to struggle in pursuit of a dream….than to live without one! “
And regarding those offers to run for political office! John often jokes that he already WAS Premier of Manitoba in youth parliament and within the hallowed legislature on Broadway John sat in the actual premier’s chair back in the 60’s ! More shared within. But the best office John has held and most proud of? Being chosen President by the student body of the school John calls “one of the top 10 Jesuit educational high schools in North America!” John says he can never ever do enough for the gift of 4 years of the best possible education and the gift of ‘countless friends for life’..
John often cites (within his talks) that the Robertsons hold a record set back in the early 60’s that will never be broken! A Robertson in every grade, 1 thru 8 at St Ignatius. According to John, the Sisters of the Holy Names were everything to the Robertson family, not only educating them without any tuition but providing school supplies and also a special treat at lunch time…of a small glass bottle of chocolate milk. He remembers countless hours of playing in the St Iggys grounds, at times with the nuns joining in with many being exceptional athletes. John’s calling in life began as early as 8 years old when playing with his brothers…inventing games that would keep them playing for hours. John was asked to be the lead altar boy and train the upcoming servers within the St Ignatius Parish. He remembers running down to St Marys Academy at 5:45am weekday morns before the buses ran to help serve the 6:30am mass in front of all the nuns before their daily breakfast.
John’s ever increasing passion for playing & organizing sports programs surged when he was elected President of St Iggys in Grade 8 and one of 5 from the school to represent St Ignatius within the annual Catholic Schools Junior Parliament with over 2000 constituents sending 100+ delegates down to the parliament grounds. Age 14, John was elected PREMIER of MANITOBA by the 100+ delegates and from Premier Duff Roblin’s chair in the legislature on Broadway, John introduced, debated and passed two bills in two sessions of the house. Bill #1 was to provide funding for Catholic Schools. Bill #2 was for more sports facilities and to promote recreational programs for all. How prophetic!
Then John received what he has called ‘his greatest gift’ in his early years. That being a Jesuit education at St Pauls High School which John believes he can never repay but is dedicated to live up to his Paulinian formation, that of striving to be ‘a man for others…in the service of all others!’ He was awarded full bursaries for the entire 4 years. He was elected class president in grades 9, 10, and 11…then student body president in his senior year. He played for the Crusader football team and was an annual league ALL STAR and team captain and received the top award in the league, the Harry Hood Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the player that combined most outstanding play on the field and as well, dedicated service within his school and also the community at large. He had been nominated for the award in his grade 11 year…then again in his senior. John was the only brother of 10 to attend ST Pauls. And it was at Saint Pauls where he began a life long relationship with one of the many men that John credits with his ‘ Paulinian formation’. You can also read more about Nick Laping within the IN MEMORY (menu). He was not only John’s teacher, coach, and friend…but akin to being a second father.
With a choice of football scholarships before him, and a goal of playing professional football..John took another path. He became a father at age 18 (to John Jr) and passed on the scholarships and went to work. At age 19 he welcomed a second son, Don, into the family. However, at age 20 John became a single parent raising two diapered boys ages 10 months & 22 months. He also pursued part time university courses while working the night shift at the railway. John was then blessed with Colleen whom said YES both to him and his two boys. They welcomed another two children, a third son, Rob, and finally they were blessed with a daughter, Ricki Anne. Together 17 years, Colleen was then diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at age 34 (enlarged heart functioning as low as 8%). Following four out of province medical treatments In London and having been placed on the heart list as well, Colleen struggled during her last 16 years but never ever complained! She lived every single day with such appreciation and cared for everyone else…not fearing leaving this world but only leaving others behind. With John since age 17, 33 years together, she passed peacefully in her sleep at age 50. Last pic (above) taken shortly before passing away~
And the legacy of Colleen well continues on within 7 grand girls and 5 grandsons!
After John met Colleen he then left the railway when a major strike occurred to take a position as recreation director at an inner city community centre…Broadway Optimist CC where John’s passion for sports flourished. He had organized casual sports outings for the employees at CN rail and after a taste of that and his love of playing, he involved the area youths & families and offered casual sports and events that brought life back to a struggling area. His sponge hockey & sand volleyball programs/events attracted so many participants of all ages from all areas. It was at Broadway CC that John’s passion took a bold leap of faith! His programming abilities combined with his caring community ways led to the birth of his CANFORD DREAM! He was one day challenged by a superior when asked why he wanted to work so hard rather than just draw a pay cheque and be happy with just opening up the centre and locking it up without even offering any programs.
The centre was scheduled for demolition to make way for a new ‘bingo’ hall! John’s answer led to the formation of CANFORD SPORTS! In John’s response he boldly answered “I CAN– do this –FOR– the community (kids & families) and I am damn well –D etermined to do it! “John then lobbied and petitioned the City and after 5 years of leasing many of the Winnipeg community centres to stage his winter long Canford Cup Events, John convinced the city to allow him to erect two knock down pens on the Sargent Park tennis courts and operate out of a 10′ x 40′ construction trailer to serve 92 spongee teams for his program/season!
And another of John’s goals was also being realized! That of keeping his brothers together and active…through all seasons…in all of his sports. They could not afford skates or equipment to play ice hockey so John sat down and formed new rules for ‘spongee’. The team of brothers played sponge hockey, touch football, sand volleyball and helped out so much with building facilities as well. And John’s children played too…no, more like …grew up in his programs..on the fields & rinks! John then took a leap of faith ‘Big Time!’ In an effort to secure support for a centre to be home to all his programs John copyrighted his ‘Rules & Regulations for OUR unique brand of sponge hockey and then staged the World Sponge Hockey Championships at the old Winnipeg Arena on April 17th, 1982! It was a bold move cementing Winnipeg’s claim going forward to be officially recognized as THE SPONGE HOCKEY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! The event was featured on CBC’s SPORTS WEEKEND across the nation prompting a flood of calls and even letters arriving in Winnipeg inquiring about our sport of spongee! And John often cites that the sport of spongee has been played for decades before he was born …anywhere & everywhere, on streets, driveways, corner lots and school yards and rinks by not only our fathers & grandfathers but especially within the First Nations. 
John simply formulated rules & regulations that removed the contact and incorporated the best of hockey, soccer, and basketball ..to lend to a fluid end to end game that became known as the PLEASANT ALTERNATIVE~ And what a change! Spongee would have their own rinks!
John also had an additional goal and agenda in staging the Worlds! That of securing a home for his programs and 6 months after the Worlds…John was allocated the old closed down one rink Rosewell CC in North Kildonan. And within 5 years that 1 rink closed down centre was upgraded to an 8 rink centre of PLAY! Home to over 300 sponge teams and 220+ sand volleyball squads!
Canford was the focus of many media features nationally and internationally. Please see Testimonials in site menu then tag From Media.. Especially on the thousands that played spongee in the coldest city in the World!
Over 220 Sand Volleyball teams also played on what was tagged as the CANFORD BEACH~~~ They had firehoses laying between the two sand rinks at the ready when too hot…with the players/teams requesting a light shower or spray down!! And yes the music was playing! ALWAYS~~~~
Important announcement: John is also excited to announce the return of the World Championships Of Sponge Hockey in January of 2025 An ever growing ‘army’ of volunteers will be welcoming thousands into the 2nd coldest city in the world (within the category of a pop. over 600,000)~ Winnipeg was 1st~(now a city in China)~ John has assumed the position as the CEO & GM of the Worlds 2025. John is excited and believes that the Worlds will further advance our city, our province, and our nation as frontrunners in the provision of amateur sport participation with a focus on families and promoting active & caring communities.
Looking back to when John as an 8 year old invented games to keep his brothers active and together, little did he realise that it would lead to thousands and thousands of Manitobans playing, laughing, smiling and above all else, embrace winter in the second coldest city in the world. The youngest of the ten brothers (Kenny) shares what the sport of spongee is all about and how proud he is of his brother John.
And on another note… When John is often asked why he feels inspired to help so many others and why not retire ..relax and rest, his answer is ” Hopefully I can continue to do what I love every day that GOD gifts to me…and I hopefully I will REST in HEAVEN…forever.”
And John loves to be challenged. LOL…and so much so that he now also uses the following when those challenges are made. Can he do it? He simply says..
“I CAN. I WILL. WATCH ME ! ”
Looking back to when John as an 8 year old invented games to keep his brothers active and together, little did he realise that it would lead to thousands and thousands of Manitobans playing, laughing, smiling and above all else, embrace winter in the second coldest city in the world. The youngest of the ten brothers (Kenny) shares what the sport of spongee is all about and how proud he is of his brother John. This is an out take from the documentary in mid 90’s THE RICHEST MAN IN TOWN!