April 21, 2018

Football taught youngsters how to look for solutions and not blame

Patton Family Collection

They turn out, every year, by the thousands.

From rural and urban communities, from diverse backgrounds and individuals of all ages wanting to learn, understand, play and embrace a game that has been part of the Canadian culture since 1884.

Tackle football.

It’s a sport that has the not so young thinking about those youthful days while watching youngsters fixated on the outcome of a game. They also view it as a conduit to strengthening social skills and taking on challenges in their growing lives.

Backing their hopes and dreams, and able to cope with an array of human emotions that are part of the ups and downs of any sport, are the biggest fans of a Football Canada, estimated number of 120,000 players, between the ages of eight and 18, competing across the country. Those fans: their parents.

“There can be lots of pressure put on kids – and it doesn’t just come from football games,” said Hamilton’s Jeff Ferrell, whose 12-year old son, Riley, started playing at the age of six.

“So much is out there that catches the attention of young kids, and when they find something they enjoy, like football, they gravitate to good coaches. As a parent, you’re always concerned about their well-being, their health, safety and do what you can to provide the best.”

Riley Ferrell, a Hillcrest Public School student, started playing a 9-on-9 player version of football with the Steel City Steelers. Back then, he told his father that he thought the game was “cool”, and progressed to the Tiger Cats of the Ontario Varsity Football League.

“I tell him to have fun, that’s what counts – a championship trophy is not important to me,” said Farrell, who is also involved as a coach. “I see how he has benefitted with important life skills, taking directions accepting corrective criticism and just being a better person.”

Out in Lunenburg, N.S., an athletic 15-year old Liam Patton views football as his No. 1 sport and, the 5-foot-11 student at Bridgewater Junior High, is already talking with his parents about attending university and continuing his love for the game.

“Football is one of the things that keeps him motivated,” said his father Dave Patton, who was born on Grey Cup day in 1962. “(Liam) had a mild concussion last year as a result of a bad tackle and there are times when his mother holds her breath watching a game. But, he can hurt himself at home or playing another sport, contact or non-contact.”

The Pattons talk about tackle football as a safer sport than hockey, cheaper, too, and are comfortable with the improved and safer football equipment worn by players these days.

Christopher Weber (70), 6-foot-7 and 345 pounds in size, is already on the radar of university football coaches in Canada and the United States.

A sampling of opinions from a cross-country series of conversations with parents of youngsters playing tackle football, reveals that they are satisfied with on-going safety measures added to the game, sound coaching and an emphasis to play smart on the field as well as act respectful off of it, and learn the benefits and confidence of team-building and sportsmanship.

Shannon Donovan, executive director of Football Canada, said the National Sport Organization is not only adapting the tackle game for youngsters to start a few years older than in past, but as a means of educating new Canadians about the sport, has developed two new introductory programs.

“Football is cost effective and parents have told me that their children benefit from the game – the inclusiveness, teamwork and ability to work together,” said Donovan. “Our biggest challenge is responding to negative (media attention) that seems to think our sport is the only one that has injuries. We need to tell our story better.”

Paul Fransoo has three boys, ages nine, 12 and 14, who play tackle football in North Battleford, Ssk.  He also coaches. In the past three years, Fransoo said no parents have approached him with concerns about their children playing contact football.

“At the start, my wife and I had big questions about allowing our sons to play,” he said. “Safety was paramount, we evaluated practices and games, and our goal was to learn, build on success, discipline and strengthening social skills. We have seen our kids connect well and develop life-long friendships.

A firm believer of the sport is Karrie Weber from London, Ont., mother of a 15-year old son, 6-foot-7 and 345 pounds in size, who is already on the radar of university football coaches in Canada and the United States.

“When he was seven years old, he wanted to try the sport and I was OK with it then and now,” said Weber, proud of his success on the gridiron and his academic success as an honors student. “He’s tried all sports, but (tackle) football is his passion. The more I understand football, the more I get to appreciate the benefits and what it means to him.”

Tim Enger, from St. Albert, Alberta, just outside Edmonton, said his two children each played tackle football for nine years, and he has witnessed more than them running on to a field in equipment.

“Football has taught them how to take on challenges, look for solutions and not blame,” said Enger, who sustained injuries in skiing, hockey and left playing soccer because of headaches. “I hear stories of people terrified about tackle football when they don’t understand the vast majority playing are just fine. What’s an alternative – seeing kids in the basement watching television or playing video games?”


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Bill Johnson also believes there are incredible lessons gained from playing tackle football.

“Being part of a team is important as well as understanding how disappointment can effect more than just yourself,” said Johnson, executive director of Football Manitoba. “The evolution of the game is important. When I played, things were different and now there are so many safeguards in place, young people are taught to play better and programs starting up for those new to the game.”

Football fans continue to debate a special trust that players have in each other, one that goes beyond teamwork and performance, optimism and the fascinating range of human emotions that the game produces.

In Springfield, N.S., James Dickens sometimes has difficulty keeping up with his family. His 12-year old daughter Mackenzie plays tackle football and ditto for his 16-year old son, Christian. Also a coach of four teams, he has to find time to watch his wife, Samantha, play for the Halifax Xplosion of the Maritime Women’s Football League – and the first women’s tackle football league in Canada.

“They are all passionate about this game and the benefits that come from it: friendship, the work ethic, the responsibilities,” said Dickens. “I am always concerned about the safety of my family, and there is a risk in everything these days, but they can also get hurt crashing a bicycle and I have seen severe injuries in hockey, basketball and other sports.”