NRMFA, Ti-Cats build on flag football partnership
Niagara Regional Minor Football Association’s flag football program and the CFL’s Hamilton Ti-Cats are building on the partnership they started last year.
The highlight of 2023 was the staging of the league’s city and regional championships at Tim Hortons Field and this year the groups are taking it one step further.
“There were a lot of disappointed families asking why their kids didn’t get to play on the big field,” said Jim Storin, a NRMFA board member and flag football coordinator. “Obviously taking all that in, we decided to do a round-robin tournament with a minimum of three games so it makes it worth their time to make that drive to Hamilton.”
Every registered player in the league receives a ticket for a Ti-Cats game and a reversible jersey with the Ti-Cats logo on it. Both a preseason coaches clinic put on by Hamilton’s coaching staff and a skills and drills day for the players, run by Niagara coaches and Ti-Cats players, will be held at Tim Hortons Field.
Both the coaches clinic and the skills and drills camp will be recorded for use by the Ti-Cats, Niagara and other flag football associations
“It is a pilot project for Hamilton so they can utilize it with other partners they want to team up with in the future,” Storin said.
There will also be player and/or mascot appearances during the season.
Last year’s program was a big success with about 500 kids taking part in the spring season.
“It is very healthy,” Storin said. “It was a goal I projected back in November 2022 when we had our first meeting with Hamilton. Brandy (Ireland-Keus, the association’s flag football director) thought I was crazy.”
He expects the league to continue to grow.
“Our goals for this year is for 700 kids in the spring and we are well on our way. We are probably halfway there and we have something planned that will really boost the numbers.”
Storin is excited about the future of flag football.
“I think the sport of flag football is just going to explode over the next year or two especially as we get closer to the Olympics.”
The league is open to boys and girls ages under-16 to under-six. The skills and drills camp is expected to be held on April 14 and the season runs from April 22 to June 20.
Games will be played on fields in Grimsby, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines.
“We are not-for-profit and we want to give back to the kids as much as we possibly can. Whatever we make we want to give it right track to them in some fashion,” Storin said. “I think our prices are comparable with the rest of the leagues around and the fact that we are able to offer three locations and keep people a little closer to home will help.”
Minor football is also trying to make the experience for the kids and coaches more enjoyable by dressing it up more.
Registration for new players is $215 plus $22.50 for Football Ontario insurance and applicable processing fee. For returning players who do not require a new uniform (shirt, shorts and flags), the cost is $182.50 plus $22.50 for Football Ontario insurance and applicable processing fee.
Divisions include under-six, under-eight, under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16.
To register, visit https://footballniagara.com/
Minor football will also be running a fall program. Last year, 360-370 athletes took part.
