The future of football
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Tackle football has been a big part of my life for over 30 years, both as a player and a coach.
When we were young, my friends and I couldn’t wait until the season began. These days, there are opportunities to play football throughout the year with several off-season training programs and skill development camps, such as Aaron Giesbrecht’s Big Air Academy and O-Line camps or other skills camps available through Sport Manitoba, Football Manitoba and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
These types of developmental workouts help our football community grow and increase competitiveness not only within Manitoba but also with other provinces during national competitions. We have seen tackle football grow incredibly, especially in the Winnipeg High School Football League, which now includes over 30 teams, from Portage la Prairie, Man., to Fort Frances, Ont.
Free Press file photo
Flag football is growing exponentially in Manitoba, as it is low cost and almost no contact. In this photo, kids participate in a 2025 flag football clinic.
The Winnipeg Rifles are almost at their 25th anniversary, community club football continues to thrive, and women’s football is also growing, with the independent Winnipeg Wolfpack team and Manitoba Fearless participating in the Prairie Conference of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.
All this growth is amazing to see, and I believe the greatest growth in the future of football will happen in flag football. Anyone can play, there is limited experience or equipment necessary and the fear of head and contact injuries does not exist.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been a huge supporter of community, high school and flag football for many years and is now in its second season of promoting flag football in rural communities. If you live outside the city and wish to play, check out the team’s spring flag football league website at bluebombers.com/springflagleague. If you live in Winnipeg and wish to play, speak with your local/school football coaches and/or check out flagmanitoba.com.
With so many football options, there is no shortage of places to play, get out, learn some passing routes, throw some touchdowns and enjoy this great game we love so much.
Dan Sylvestre
Fort Rouge community correspondent
Dan Sylvestre is a community correspondent for Fort Rouge.
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Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Dan Sylvestre
Fort Rouge community correspondent
Dan Sylvestre is a community correspondent for Fort Rouge.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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