The Editor:
Recently Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football held a second registration night for the fall season. Our numbers are very strong at the atom level but to be honest as we could use more boys and girls at the peewee and bantam levels just in case players fall ill or have to miss games because of other commitments. More players make the teams stronger.
With that, as we talk to people in the community, we've learned there are many misconceptions when it comes to playing football. We hope these points can be addressed in this letter.
One of the most common things we hear is that many parents have the fear of: "I'm scared my son/daughter will get hurt." Yes, there is a chance injury could occur, but we believe football isn't more dangerous than any other sport. Penta Completions EMF has taken many steps to help protect our players - proper and approved equipment, coaches taking clinics to learn all aspects of the game such as proper tackling techniques and offering the Big Play Tackling Camp for our players (at no cost) this Saturday.
Two, we hear some believe that football is too expensive. EMF provides all equipment, except cleats, to its players to use for the season. All we ask for is a deposit at the beginning of the year. When the equipment is returned at the end of the season, the parent/guardian gets that deposit back. As for the actual registration fee, the atoms (ages 9-11) can register for $150 with peewees (ages 12-13) and bantams (ages 14-15) registering for $175. For the amount of time players get to be on the field (between practices and games), we feel the players get much for that amount. And remember, KidSport is also an option for those who want to play but still might not feel is possible financially.
Three, and maybe this is the one thing we hear the most, is that parents believe football is too much of a commitment time-wise. The season begins just after the August long weekend with the atoms practising three times a week and the peewees and bantams four times a week with a weekend game thrown in there as well. Why so many practices? Football is the ultimate team game where everyone has a job. For example, at the pee wee and bantam levels the defence could incorporate at least 10 plays with the offence running at least 40 plays. It takes time and lots of practice to get these plays memorized and executed.
And sure, we are on the field four to five times per week (including games) but you must remember, it is a very short season with the atoms finishing in late September and the peewees and bantams finishing in late October.
For those who are involved in other sports or, in the case of our older players, have jobs, EMF is very understanding and will try its best to work with you. And, of course, family and school commitments always come first.
Once you become involved in EMF, you'll become part of a community or family. This family has room for everyone, no matter how talented you are. EMF prides itself on the fact that it welcomes kids of all athletic ability and we're proud we try to follow the rule of equal playing time for everyone. No one gets cut from EMF, ever. Football is giving the kids that don't necessarily fit the "athlete" image to become part of a team. It's also adding to the conditioning of those kids who do play other sports, helping them become stronger and better.
Most importantly, football can instill a sense of team work, respect, discipline and a love of sport. It can teach values based on simple participation.
For more information, please check out www.estevanminorfootball.com.
And we welcome anyone who wants to get off the sidelines and become part of our team.
Wanda Harron
On behalf of the board of Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football
