For the 2023 Season, Miles Mac Football is looking to start a 12-a-Side Junior Varsity program. Junior Varsity is open to all students who will be in grade 9 and 10 for the 2023-24 school year. Please use this information sheet to help you and your family decide if Football may be a good fit for you.
FAQ:
When is it and how often are practices/games? Football occurs in two phases: the first is Spring Training Camp in May and then the second is the regular season, beginning in August and running until the end of October (early November, depending on playoffs). For Junior Varsity, just like Varsity, football will likely be 5 days a week, with nothing on weekends. Typically, our weekly schedule will be practice on Monday and Tuesday, play a game on Wednesday, 'Install and Film' on Thursday, then have a practice on Friday.
How much does it cost? Spring camp fees are $100 and the regular season fees are $350 (this does not include a $40 Miles Mac Athletic Fee which is separate from Football). However, there are options available such as KidSport for families who need further support, payment plans can be made, and when necessary fees can be reduced. Money should never stop a child from playing football. Related to that, we do ask that players participate whole-heartedly in our fundraising efforts, in order to keep fees low/flexible.
What equipment do I need? None. We provide all Football Equipment to players. We do ask that players purchase their own cleats/mouthguard, but we can provide those too if necessary.
Do I need to have played football before/know about the game? No, not at all. In fact, the 2019 team had 39 players on the roster and only 14 of those 39 were playing Football in grade 8 before coming to Miles (which is one of the highest percentages we’ve ever had). And of those 14, only 5 of them were consistent starters for us. We develop all of our players from the ground up, as if they’ve never played before.
Is Football dangerous? Yes, just like all team sports are dangerous and come with risk. While Football does have a high risk of injury, the benefits of the sport out-weigh the risk. And Football is not particularly more dangerous for high school students than other team sports. Statistically, both Hockey and Basketball each send more children to the hospital, per capita, than Football does (from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, Injuries associated with Team Sports 2000-2002).
Could I play Varsity instead of Junior Varsity if I want? Yes, potentially. During Spring Training, we will ask all potential Junior Varsity Players if they would like to potentially play Varsity instead of JV. We will then have one-on-one conversations with the players who say yes about whether or not Varsity could be a good fit for him/her/them. If it is, that player may play Varsity instead of JV.
What are my next steps? E-mail Head Coach Dan Washnuk at dwashnuk@retsd.mb.ca and get on the e-mail list. There will be a parent/player information/registration evening in April, and then attend Spring Camp in May.
NOTE: Grade 8 students will need to be officially registered with and accepted by Miles Mac in order to attend Spring Camp.