The Cornerstone Credit Union football night in Saskatchewan was held on Saturday night. It was Yorkton鈥檚 11th annual football night, which has become the major fundraiser for Yorkton Minor Football (YMF).
People poured into St. Mary鈥檚 Cultural Centre to witness this year鈥檚 guest speakers听 Dan Farthing (four seasons with University of Saskatchewan football team, 11 seasons with Saskatchewan Roughriders, inducted into Riders Plaza of Honor in 2009) and keynote speaker Paul LaPolice (14 seasons as a CFL coach, 2007 Grey Cup Champion with Roughriders, offensive coordinator and receivers coach with Winnipeg Blue Bombers).
Although the event itself is more for adults, it鈥檚 all about the kids.
鈥淲e obviously try to keep minor football as inexpensive as possible for the kids, so this night it all goes towards the operating costs of Yorkton Minor Football,鈥� said YMF president Roby Sharpe.
鈥淲e always say if a kid doesn鈥檛 have the money to play, we鈥檒l find the money. We just want kids playing football, and playing sports in Yorkton in general,鈥� he added.
Sharpe said they鈥檙e grateful for the guest speakers who come to Yorkton for the event every year, and this year is no different.
鈥淭hese guys (LaPolice and Farthing) are such good-hearted guys,鈥� said Sharpe, explaining that they never really pay their speakers. 鈥淭hey just come out of the goodness of their heart to promote football.鈥�
LaPolice said anytime he has the opportunity to talk football and promote the CFL in front of people who care, it鈥檚 a good thing.
鈥淚 think one of the reasons the CFL is so special is because kids from these towns go on to play, and kids in high school say 鈥業 went to high school with that guy鈥欌�� said LaPolice.
Farthing explained how important and beneficial football programs in smaller centers are.
鈥淪port has a tremendous potential to create a positive impact on people鈥檚 lives and I think that happens not only in the rural centers but also in the urban ones,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 great opportunity for rural people to develop their skills and get better at their sport, until they can move right in to the larger centers and compete.鈥�
Both LaPolice and Farthing said their advice to players from places like Yorkton who want to continue their football career is simple: stick with it.
鈥淓njoy the process you鈥檙e in, in playing youth football. Worry about doing that well but most importantly, be a good student,鈥� offered LaPolice. He said a solid education will always help you in the long run.
Farthing also said it鈥檚 important to stay involved.
鈥淎nd I think they should never ever underestimate themselves just because they鈥檙e not from a large center,鈥� added Farthing. He explained that the talent level becomes diluted in places like Regina and Saskatoon. In centers like this, it鈥檚 more concentrated.
He also added that the situation here might be better, with a higher ratio of coaches to athletes.
The night was another successful one for Yorkton Minor Football, and the money will all go toward another great year of football in the community.
Sharpe said as always, he鈥檚 thankful for the community鈥檚 support.
鈥淲henever we鈥檙e looking for anything, the community always steps forward,鈥� said Sharpe. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just unbelievable.鈥�
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