U10 Jamboree All About Fun And Learning

We take a look at the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Football League’s U10 Football program - the program’s local jamboree was held on Sunday with Weyburn attending

By Robert Thomas

If your eight or nine year old child wants to learn football skills, develop an appreciation for the game, make new friends all in a fun environment Kinsmen Moose Jaw Football League (KMJFL) has program tailored for them.

In its fifth year the U10 football program has 50 boys and girls out on the field. It’s the largest crop of budding and eager stars of tomorrow all eagerly learning about the game.

“It’s an introduction to the game of football. That was the original intent and to this day we are holding true to that,” Zeljko Stefanovic local U10 coordinator as well as VP of KMJFL.

“It teaches kids the fundamentals about football,” Stefanovic said.

The U10 program has no rosters, doesn’t keep score and has coaches working on the field giving players direction in the huddle or properly lining up on defense.

The play is in a six player or a 6-aside format on a shorter field with rules close to flag football.

Two players jockey for position - MJ Independent photo

Play in the past allowed younger players to participate but changes to Football Canada’s regulations made tackle football only available when a child is eight years old.

As part of the program the practices and games are aimed at developing and using skills necessary for tackle football.

“We have a huge emphasis on tackling. We spend a lot of time teaching the kids on tackling. We spend a lot of time teaching kids how to block so when they get to the next level they’re prepared for the next level the U12s,” he said.

The league has three levels U10 (under ten years of age), U12 (under 12 years of age) and U14 (under 14 years of age).

Following U14 many players head onto high school teams.

Despite teaching skills and basics the program is also designed not to be boring, repetitious and monotonous but something that is fun for the children.

Heading down field the ball carrier (left) out distances a team who has just thrown a successful block - MJ Independent photo

“We are also trying to make it as fun and engaging as we possibly can. The practices are 15 minute segments. That is all we try to keep it to 15 minute segments to keep the kids engaged.”

“We try to make it fun. Make it challenging. Make it so they work up a sweat so they go home tired. We make it so they want to come back next time,” Stefanovic said.

Asked if the program was designed to teach an understanding or appreciation for the game or necessary skills to continue on in the program he said the two aims were interconnected.

“It’s both. It’s a two facetted approach. We want them to gain a love for football right off the bat so that in the future they are going to keep coming back,” he said.

“On the other hand we teach them the fundamental skills so they can play the game safely.”

Stefanovic pointed to the growth of the U12 program as a sign the five year old U10 program was a success.

An on-field coach gives constructive instruction to a player - MJ Independent photo

If children decided not to continue with football the hope is that they learn an understanding, appreciation and love of the game but the program is really geared to “teach the kids to play the game the best that they possibly can. Get everybody engaged. Get all the kids some reps (repetitions) and get them all having fun and working up a sweat,” he said.

Cost of the program is $150 to make it affordable for most families.

“It’s one of the cheapest activities you can actually do. I can’t believe the stuff you actually get in the package we put together…all they need is a pair of cleats and the kids are out here having a good time.”

Locally the league operates on a ‘No Kid Left Behind’ philosophy.

If a family cannot afford the fees all they need to do is approach the league and programs such as Kid’s Sport can be accessed to cover the fees.

All of this is done in a discrete manner so as not to embarrass the family or the child.

“We live in a different time right now. We have never turned a kid away that has been passionate and wanting to play in our program because of finances that’s for sure,” he said.

“That’s been our motto from day one. It would be an absolute shame if we turned away kids because they couldn’t afford it.”

Players are given instruction on how to play a better game by an on field coach - MJ Independent photo

Asked about the other benefits of the program - fresh air, exercise and vitamin D in the sunshine amongst others - he agreed.

“First of all it gets the kids out of the basement. But this the greatest game on earth. I keep telling our kids there is a position for everyone. There is a position for big guys, small guys, slow guys, fast guys, strong guys and not so strong guys,” Stefanovic said.

The other part of the equation was the program was a family event with hundreds of family members in the stands.

“It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It’s a nice sunny day. The parents are here cheering. You know grandma is here. Grandpa is here. It’s truly a family event.”

He pointed to football being the “ultimate in delayed gratification” with lots of practice until an actual game.

Although the program was developed locally the 6-aside format follows all of the guidelines established by Football Canada.

An example of subtle local changes are the defensive linemen can only stand in a two point stance.

A Moose Jaw player is forced out of bounds on the run - MJ Independent photo

The 6-aside format allows a lot of room for touchdowns and tackles.

“You don’t have a ball of humanity kind of in one spot. It actually allows the kids to highlight their skills.”

Play is similar to flag football where a team has three plays to move the ball to center field and then three plays to reach the end zone on a 40 yard field.

Teams scrimmage from their five yard lines.

“It allows both teams to go on offence and defence (more often). There’s a lot of switching around and it allows for passing because there’s some room…if you look at it there’s a lot of touchdowns, a lot fumbles, it’s pandemonium out there but a lot of fun.”

A Razorbacks player is tackled along the sidelines by a weyburn cardinal player - MJ Independent photo

So far there are two other programs - Estevan and Weyburn - who run U10 programs. Estevan was unable to make it to Sunday’s Jamboree in Moose Jaw.

“We have Weyburn here today which is awesome. Next week’s jamboree we’re hoping to have Estevan part of it. Next year we’re hoping to have Swift Current part of it,” he said, adding “so it’s growing.”

He said Weyburn coming to Sunday’s Jamboree with two teams is a good sign the program has worked out “really well” in not just Moose Jaw.

“We travel back and forth. Everybody gets a Jamboree. That way everybody gets to take part in their barbecues and concessions.”

Weyburn’s coaches give their players instructions on how to run a play during a halftime break - MJ Independent photo

The team format in Moose Jaw for the U10 program is to have all players called Razorbacks.

The group is then divided into different groups with the end intent to make the individual Razorback teams equal in strength. This is done because Razorback teams play each other and they want to make the play competitive.

“When the season starts off we all practice together. We teach them the fundamentals as a group. And as our season progresses we break them up into three teams depending how many kids we have. But we are all Razorbacks,” Stefanovic said.

With almost 50 girls and boys in the program this year - the most ever in the five years of the U10 program’s existence - the program is on the cusp of adding a fourth team.

Plans are if registrations go up next year there will be four Razorbacks teams.

A Moose Jaw Razorbacks player is double teamed by two Weyburn Cardinals - MJ Independent photo

The season starts out with three weeks of practice followed by the Jamboree this past Sunday in Moose Jaw.

There are three more Jamborees remaining in the season - two away in Weyburn and Estevan - in the season.

The U10 division play ends earlier than the U12 and U14 divisions to get the young players out of the colder fall temperatures.

Asked about the reception from parents Stefanovic described it as “crazy”.

“It’s been awesome,” he said, adding “even throughout COVID we have been able to grow this little U10 program. It’s been going like gang busters.”

Asked if “all of a sudden 20 kids showed up at your doors” Stefanovic said they would be welcomed. The team would get the necessary uniforms and gear so they could play.

A Weyburn Cardinals player breaks a tackle heading upfield - MJ Independent photo

The hardest question was what would happen if a child would want to start U10 now given their “no child turned away” philosophy.

Due to the three initial practices now over it is too late this year but they encouraged people with interested children to bring their child out and check out the program. Meet the people involved and ask questions.

The cost to attend any league games is free of charge.

For more information check out the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League’s Facebook page.