While it may seem that football season is some time away, Yorkton Minor Football (YMF) is planning to kick off the year with some exciting plans for both spring and fall activities.
YMF president Roby Sharpe announces the start of the spring football league which will start next week. The Kinsmen Tackle Football League for youngsters in Grades six and seven is a fun league which introduces kids to tackle football with full football equipment, Sharpe says.
The nine man league, which will run for six weeks with the emphasis on fun and learning football basics will cost each player $40. Teams will practice three days a week one week and two days a week the next week in rotation. If youngsters enjoy the experience they can register for the fall peewee league.
Sharpe also emphasizes YMF doesn't want the spring fun league to compete with other spring sports. Football practices will be at 5:30 daily allowing youngsters to attend baseball practices and games. Players should also choose to attend baseball games and/or tournaments as well as track or other team practices as the spring football is just a fun league, Sharpe states. Those who want to become serious about football can sign up for the peewee league in the fall.
Anyone who missed registering for the spring football league can still do so by calling Roby Sharpe at YRHS at 786-5572.
YMF has also introduced a spring high school league which will play 12 man football. The league will have a bantam team for youngsters under 15 years and a high school team. Anyone who'd like more information about the high school spring league or is interested in signing up should contact Sharpe at 786-5572.
The high school spring league practices will alternate three days one week and two the next week in rotation. The league will feature a game against Brandon, Manitoba Thursday, May 19.
YMF will offer the Jordan Matechuk All Pro Football Camp in conjunction with Football Night in Saskatchewan Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14. Matechuk, a Raider Gridder alumnus currently playing with the CFL Hamilton Tiger Cats, will bring Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Don Oramasionwu and Hamilton defensive tackle Eddie Steele along to assist with the camp.
For $40 each local youngster will be instructed by three professional football athletes which should be a great experience for the kids, says Sharpe.
Unfortunately, Football Night in Saskatchewan itself was sold out last year as those who bought tickets last year also bought out all tickets again this year, Sharpe reports. All is not lost, however, YMF will host a barbecue Saturday, May 14 at the Western Financial Services Park where Rider fans, young and old, will be able to meet CFL players past and present like Willard Reeves and Wes Cates who will be in attendance and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment.
Finally YMF is looking at the possibility of starting an atom football program for youngsters ages nine to 11 years. If there is enough interest, in this case 30 youngsters register for the program which will cost $100 per player, YMF will go ahead enter an atom team in the Regina Atom League in the fall. "We want to check to see if there's enough interest first because we need to buy special equipment for the youngsters," Sharpe explains.
If anyone who has a nine, 10 or 11 year-old who's interested in playing tackle football in the fall contact Roby Sharpe at 786-5572 for a registration form.
