Clearing Skies Greet Opening Practice For Minor Football

Story and photos by Robert Thomas

“It turned into a pretty good night for football,” Bryan Boys president of the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League (MJKMFL) told MJ Independent on Monday evening.

Less than an hour before there had been a rain shower covering MacDonald Field and lightening to the north of the city.

As Boys talked about the changing weather it could easily be seen as an analogy for the league.

A few years back interest in minor football was starting to wane but through hard work the storm clouds of uncertainty disappeared and the future for the league is a sunny one. The league in Moose Jaw has been in a multi-year growth phase.

A growth phase Boys gives credit to the local Kinsmen Club for making possible.

Jumping jacks at practice - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

At the Moose Jaw opening night for five days a week practices Boys took time from a busy event to talk about the league’s 2024 campaign.

“The kids have been geared up. We’ve evaluated them, gone through the draft process and today is the first day that they actually get on the field as a team,” Boys said about Monday’s practice.

It was a practice that saw dozens of players go through the paces for the coaches on six Moose Jaw teams.

Moose Jaw will once again see three U12 teams - Lions, Raiders and Bulldogs - but this year there are three U14 teams - Lions, Raiders and the division’s newest addition the Moose Jaw Mafia.

The Mafia came about for two reasons.

First off there was a large number of U14 players causing the league to look at three teams instead of two teams.

The usual roster of 40 players per team was cut to about 34 players to form three teams.

Dropping the number of players per team was seen as a positive move because “we want to get a lot of kids playing so we flipped to the three teams,” Boys said.

“So now we have the Vikings and Raiders, you know the original rivalry but now we’ve added the Mafia. I think a lot of people are super pumped for those guys,” Boys said.

Pivoting sideways drill - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

Numbers wise the league is close to 2023 with about 230 players which is about ten more players in 2024.

“It’s pretty good numbers for us so we are up a little bit from last year. So we have gained a little bit every single year so we’re happy.”

Players are both girls and boys.

Popularity is growing in the number of girls playing having the league eyeing a girls division in the future.

Boys said to expect a girl’s team and division as early as next season.

“We are only up about ten kids more. But that’s ten more kids playing football. We’ve grown we now have three (Moose Jaw) teams in the U14 division,” Boys said.

The Razorback (U10) program this year has 47 players which is a large number of introductory players.

“We’ve got quite a few teams and a lot of kids so it’s going to be a great year,” he said.

Although the official registration period is now over players can still sign up and join the program so long as the do so prior to the season’s start.

So players registering late are more than welcome to join up.

“We wouldn’t turn a kid away right now. We would let them get in here until the first game. After that first game I would say you’re probably too late,” he said, adding “you probably have two weeks to decide to play football we can get you in here but after that no.”

Tossing the ball back and forth just prior to the official practice starting - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

The registration cost for a new player is $200.

Parents whose economic position do not allow them to afford the registration may still be looked after through such programs as KidsSport and Jump Start.

Both KidsSport and Jump Start are charities which provide registration funding to allow children to participate in sporting activities when they cannot financially afford to do so.

The league makes applications for fees in a very private and discretionary manner so as not to cause the child or their parents embarrassment because they cannot afford registration fees.

Boys said he fully understands some families’ economic position given inflation and the increased cost of living with wages not keeping par.

All equipment is provided - except for the football cleats - but in cases where families cannot afford football shoes there are a large number of lightly used pairs available.

“If you’re a family in need we have lots of cleats available. We are willing to help out to get kids into sports any way we can…We’ll make it work so a kid can play football.”

“I want every kid to be able to play sports. I don’t think money should ever be an issue. We will find a way so your kid can play football,” he said, adding “if you’re financially struggling don’t stress about it just contact me and we’ll do something about it.”

Asked about the large Newcomer population in Moose Jaw with children Boys said they are more than welcome.

“It doesn’t matter your background or where you come from…if you want try something you know football is for everybody. The helmet fits every child’s head. We would love to have anybody who wants to play football to come out.”

Boys pointed out football teaches great life lessons.

“There is a lot of stuff right now in the world that draws kids away and maybe get them into trouble but I think football is the biggest thing that translates to life. We teach kids discipline. You get beat up a little bit. You get knocked down and you pick yourself up. You have to really work as a team,” he said.

Boys said football is a team sport and no player by themselves can win many games but only can win as part of a team.

A coach adjusts a player’s helmet to a proper fit for safety prior to practice starting - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

“When you come here you end up forming that bond. There’s a lot of discipline to just mature. I think to grow as a person in football,” he said.

At the present time the league is what is called a training camp.

Each team has the ability to practice five times a week during the two week training camp.

Once the season starts the amount of practice time drops.

U14 can practice four times a week and U12 can practice three times a week once the season starts.

“Right now this is the first ten practices where everybody gets to get everything together. Organize their offence. Find out who is going to play where. You have ten days to prep until the big opening night on August 30th,” Boys said.

Introducing a third local U14 team was one of balance.

“All three teams were split evenly with size and everything. So it’s going to be a great year of football. I’m just excited to see who comes out on top in Moose Jaw let alone the City championship.”

It also means no bye weeks for the U14 teams.

The U12 division took a hit with Swift Current not fielding a team this season.

“It’s something they are going to look at in the future and get back into the league…we will be back at the seven U12 teams probably next year.”

Both U12 and U14 divisions will have six teams.

Players get instructions from a coach - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

About what he sees coming this season in terms of play Boys said he is “just excited.”

“We have a ton of size and then we’ve got a ton of little guys. We’ve used more little helmets this year than we ever have. They are little animals. They are football players that have been playing since U10 and these guys are primed and ready,” he said.

“I’m just excited to see the development of these kids.”

There are new coaches this season so it could be quite the surprise to see exactly what plays the new coaches are going to run.

Another big area that is driving excitement is the upgrades and renovations to Elks Field - at the Kinsmen Sports Complex - are seen as a major positive this season.

“A big shoutout to the Kinsmen who have done so much for us. We’ve been able to completely renovate up at Elk’s (Field). We’ve got new bleachers, the buildings are re-done. The scoreboard is brand new. It is looking absolutely beautiful,” he said.

“We are super excited to kick off August 30th showing everyone our hard work. We really want to thank the community,” he said.

A member of the U14 Moose Jaw Mafia team adjusts his shoulder pads prior to practice - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas

For more information contact Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League Facebook Page

OR

The League’s website at:

www.mjfootball.ca