There has been a rumour that the Yorkton Minor Football (YMF) program is simply a sneaky way for the YRHS to recruit would be Sacred Heart Saints players before they get to high school.
However that couldn't be further from the truth. The true reason for the YMF program, like any other youth sports program, is simply to provide kids with a fun way to keep in shape, learn valuable life lessons and possibly play a sport that could result in them earning a scholarship in the future.
"We just want everyone to know that the program is open to anyone," said YMF spokesperson Darcy Zaharia via a phone interview on Monday evening. "While the team is known as the Yorkton Gridders (named after the YRHS Raiders football team), it doesn't mean that the kids have to be from a public school or have to go to the Regional for high school.
"They can come from anywhere. From public school, Catholic school, out of town. Anywhere."
Zaharia also mentioned that the program, which was originally brought forth to get kids involved in football at an earlier age, has benefited the children involved by keeping them fit and teaching life lessons and skills that parents hope their children will learn for the future. "The kids who play, you can tell they enjoy it and they learn useful things that will help them in the future," offered Zaharia. "The kids who register, they learn their life lessons here. Work ethic, team work, discipline, etc. all through this program while keeping active."
And while registration for spring football is officially over, Zaharia says that any players from any school who are interested in playing can contact the organization or simply show up as a "walk on".
The best way to contact YMF would be via their Facebook page "Yorkton Minor Football" or have the child request a registration and information form at their respective school.
