Community
Football Confusion Keeps Growing
The Canadian Football League doesn’t know whether it will operate this year. It may not operate ever again.
This nation’s top level of amateur football, which links top universities from coast to coast, has no idea whether to play four or five games this season. One step below the college guys is Canadian junior football, which now considers schedules of four, five, six or seven games in what would be the 2020 season.
Confusion is everywhere.
On all three of the major gridiron tiers, COVID-19 – what else? – dominates every imaginable picture of the future, both short- and long-term. The same applies throughout the sports universe, of course.
It can never be guaranteed that a league cancelling its 2020 season will return in 2021 or beyond, with the exception of the Big Four: NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Already, the American Hockey League, hockey’s top playpen for future big-timers, has been forced to back away from any prospect of completing the current season. Season-ending games, gone. Playoffs, gone.
It’s a simple scenario, written indelibly for all organizations without TV crowds or million-dollar sponsors: the AHL is a gate-centred league; playing before empty stands won’t come close to paying the bills. That scenario is written indelibly for amateur and minor-league entitles everywhere.
Too often overlooked in concern over sport’s billionaire owners and millionaire players is the group of youngsters just about to start their professional careers. Thomas Jack-Kurdyla, the University of Buffalo grad selected first by the Edmonton Eskimos in the recent CFL draft, has said several times that he’s anxious to get here from his Montreal home. Mentally, he’s ready to play.
In a similar situation is offensive tackle Theren Churchill, a Stettler product who starred for the Edmonton Huskies in the Prairie Junior Football Conference before becoming a Regina Ram and producing a three-year university career good enough to be grabbed as the Toronto Argos’ second pick in the first round. Churchill, too, wants to earn a living as a professional athlete.
John Belmont, the respected veteran junior, university and Eskimos assistant coach who watched Churchill closely as a Huskie, is confident for him.
“He came from a good program in Stettler. He’s tall (6-foot-5) and that helps a lot. He has long arms. That helps, too.
Most important was Belmont’s judgment of the young man’s talent. “He worked hard to get bigger (he’s listed at 295 these days) and he improved day after day and week after week.”
It’s equally important: Churchill is durable. He played 25 regular-season games in a row, plus a Rams’ semi-final loss to UBC.
Another possible area of comfort is that Canadian college teams play before tiny crowds. As an Argo, the rookie is sure to see empty seats when they play at home. As CFL boosters bided their time waiting for word on potential financial aid to this wonderful football tradition, there was good news in western amateur precincts. University teams have designed a program that could provide five-game schedules and the PJFC declared itself (mostly) confident that there will be a season this year.
The national picture remains cloudy; five provinces have junior teams. Will all lockdown procedures end in roughly the same way at roughly the same time?
“I don’t know,” said the veteran Belmont. “Nobody knows, but I think this league could be ready for almost a full schedule by the middle of July. I hope nobody rushes to make a decision (to reduce or eliminate games) before it’s necessary.”
February 14, 2025 – Alberta, Canada – A compelling new documentary, Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine, is set to air on Wild TV, RFD TV Canada, Cowboy Channel Canada, and you can click here to stream for FREE on Wild TV’s streaming service, Wild TV+. This engaging one-hour feature will take viewers on a journey through time, exploring Fort Assiniboine’s rich history from 1823 to 2023.
Fort Assiniboine is a significant landmark in Alberta, playing a crucial role in Indigenous history, the fur trade, and the western expansion of Canada. This documentary captures the spirit of the region, illustrating how it has evolved over two centuries and how it continues to shape the cultural fabric of the province today.
Wild TV will make the documentary free to stream on Wild TV+ on February 14th so that it can be easily accessed in classrooms and other educational settings throughout the region, ensuring the historical significance of Fort Assiniboine reaches a wider audience.
Produced by Western Directives Inc., Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine brings historical moments to life with vivid storytelling, expert interviews, and breathtaking cinematography.
“We are very excited to partner with Wild TV as part of our one hour documentary production. Based in Alberta, we respect the hard work and quality programming that Wild TV brings to a national audience. With the broadcast opportunity, Wild TV gives our production the ability to entertain and educate Canadians across the country on multiple platforms,” said Tim McKort, Producer at Western Directives.
Scott Stirling, Vice President of Wild TV, also expressed enthusiasm for the project: “At Wild TV, we are passionate about telling Canadian stories that resonate with our audiences. This documentary not only highlights a crucial piece of our nation’s history but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, traders, and settlers who shaped the land we call home today. We are proud to bring Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine to our viewers across Canada.”
Airtimes for Wild TV can be found here.
For airtimes on RFD TV Canada, click here.
For airtimes on Cowboy Channel Canada, visit CCC’s schedule.
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
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