THE BATTLEFORDS — President of Battlefords Minor Football, Kevin Pinno, says they didn’t meet minimum roster requirements for Kinsmen Football League, run by Saskatoon Minor Football. This means the organization will not be running programs for the Bucks, which encompass Grades 6-7, nor the Junior Vikings, which encompass Grades 8-9.
Pinno does add, “One of our coaches will still be running a touch football league for Grades 3, 4 and 5, which will start up in September.”
BMF say that their registration was Aug. 1, and normally the season would start Aug. 21, but due to lack of registrations and not meeting the roster requirements for KFL, this season will not happen.
Community minor football leagues are a big asset to high school football programs, as players can learn the game and skills needed to play in high school football.
“Grade 9 all play with high schools as they are insured through their schools. It is trickier for Grade 8s with insurance and requirements, such as cannot compete with Grade 12s and can only tackle people in their age group,” notes Pinno
While John Paul II has taken on Grade 8s, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School decided not to, as they have a larger roster and couldn’t accommodate them, as per the BMF president.
When asked if there is worry for next season for this minor sports league, Pinno responds, “I wouldn’t say worried. Where we are at, we didn’t hit the numbers and we'll try again next year. We will hold spring camp again this year with community coaches. Next season, we will try and figure out what’s best for our program in terms of league play.”
The BMF president also said, like many other sports programs, COVID-19 almost killed it. It was an ongoing uphill process to bring the numbers back up after the pandemic.
“We see success at a high school level with our minor football programs. Last year, many of the seniors in the respective high schools were former BMF Bucks players.”
Pinno acknowledges that football takes a long time to understand the game and what’s going on. In the Bucks nine-man program, players are not just worried about eight people on their side of the ball, but also worried about the nine players on the other side.
“There’s not too many sports that have as many players playing at once, and there are many rules. The rules of football are very nuanced,” states Pinno.
The BMF president has currently moved from teaching two years at NBCHS and transitioned to JPII. His involvement is primarily with the high school team.
Pinno says their organization knows they will be running a spring camp that will involve players from Grades 5-8, so they remind parents to keep an eye out for that. You can find all the latest news and updates on the organization’s website at www.battlefordsminorfootball.ca as well as their Facebook page.
“Our goal, we want every sport to thrive in this community, as there are so many great programs in this community. We know what’s strong, every kid in the community has opportunity to compete and succeed in every sport.”
The organizations expenses depend on what their season lines up like and where they are playing. BMF is grateful for community donations, as equipment is expensive as specifically with helmets, heads are unique and different brands offer different types of helmets to suit each individual’s needs.
However, Pinno offers huge acknowledgement to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation as they designated $430,000 for the purchase of 1,000 new helmets to be distributed to over 125 communities across Saskatchewan, with North Battleford being one of those communities. Football Saskatchewan was tasked with distribution of these helmets to the various football programs and leagues province-wide.
The Sask. Roughrider Foundation funding comes from the 50/50 sales, with 50 per cent of each draw going to the winning ticket purchased, while the other 50 per cent goes to support amateur football in the province.
In an April media release, Sask. RoughRiders CEO Craig Regynolds stated, “Every corner of the province is going to receive a benefit from this money, and in particular, these helmets.”
The foundation will also support the University of Regina Rams, University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Regina Thunder, Regina Riot, Saskatoon Hilltops, Saskatoon Valkyries and various other amateur football programs in the province.
