YORKTON — Kenten Effa remains grateful to youth football programs in Yorkton for helping him develop as an athlete and a person.
Effa, who is entering his fifth and final season as a linebacker with the Regina Thunder program, is also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' practice roster, furthering his development as a player and allowing him to gain valuable experience.
In an interview with SaskToday and Yorkton This Week, Effa said he started playing with Yorkton Minor Football when he was nine years old. He continued to play in the city until he finished high school.
"I had a lot of great coaches from a young age. My dad Ryan Effa, he probably started the love for football when I was very young," said Effa.
The elder Effa played for the Regina Rams back when they were a junior football program.
"He inspired me to play football and I wanted to be just like him. He took me to Rider games when I was younger. Ever since then, I've had a love for football."
Effa said he had great coaches in the U10 and U12 levels, singling out Jason Boyda and Allen Kyle.
He described Yorkton's football program as "a factory", with so many talented players coming out of there each year to play at a high level. He believes it speaks of the coaches, the way they teach players and how they get athletes ready to be successful at the next level.
"The culture of football in Yorkton makes you love it," said Effa. "It's a brotherhood and it makes you realize you're part of something more than football. It's pretty special."
Effa graduated from high school in 2020. He didn't get to play football in his senior year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thunder head coach Scott MacAulay reached out to Effa and gave him a chance to play at the junior level with a program Effa views as similar to Yorkton in terms of culture.
"He gave me the opportunity to keep playing, and it kind of put me into a perfect situation. I've been very blessed with the two programs I've been a part of, Yorkton and the Thunder, because the Thunder is very similar to the way we do things in Yorkton. Just a great culture and great coaches."
Defensive co-ordinator and linebackers' coach Paul Dawson has also played a big role in Effa's development.
Last season, Effa was named a second-team all-Canadian linebacker. He has recorded 130 tackles in fourth seasons, with seven for a loss. He also has had seven sacks and an interception.
"For me, junior was the perfect situation, because I wasn't the biggest or the fastest or highest-recruited player out of high school, so going to junior was a great opportunity to grow and develop, and get bigger, faster and stronger," said Effa.
Effa attended a tryout camp for the Riders, who looked at his stats and put him through a workout. He pulled his hamstring during the camp, but was still fortunate enough to get a call from Riders' GM Jeremy O'Day about joining the Green and White's practice roster. His top priority, though, is the Thunder and trying to help them win a national junior football title.
"Joining the Riders' practice roster gives me a chance and an opportunity to pretty much devote all my time to football, getting better, taking care of my body and recovery, and preparing for games," said Effa. "And then also the opportunity to learn from professionals, professional coaches and players who have been welcoming, took me in and taught me lots."
In the morning, he practices with the Riders, attends meetings and watches films; after-practice he goes to Thunder practices at night.
As a member of the Thunder, his rights are currently owned by the Riders. He could get called up for a CFL game this seaon, but he said it's unlikely. If he gets called up for two contests, he wouldn't be able to return to the Thunder.
If he gets a shot at training camp next spring with the Riders, Effa said he would pounce at the opportunity, but if not, he'll look at the Canadian university U-Sports route. With the eligibility system in place, he could play for two seasons in U-Sports, thanks to the eligibility rules in place that could allow a player to spend seven seasons between the two circuits.
