(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

growing the game

Ex-CFLers keeping Canadian football thriving through Alberta developmental program

Apr 3, 2024 | 1:50 PM

If you’d asked just about anyone at the recent Rumble in the Rockies tournament, held in Red Deer last week, they would’ve told you that Canadian football is alive and well.

That includes a pair of former CFLers who care about the game thriving north of the border — Marvin Pope (Calgary) and Craig Carr (Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary), who are coaches with the Alberta International Selects (AIS) program.

AIS is a developmental program which brings together some of the best young talent from across Alberta during the usual football off-season.

Pope, 1992 Grey Cup champion and coach in Canada for 20 years, said youth today have more media exposure, especially online, which is a benefit for the game all-around.

“It also really depends so much on the coaches; I like to try teaching them the game, not just throwing them out there. I want them to know why they’re doing certain things,” says Pope. “This group is a lot better than 20 years ago. Some have to learn though that you’ve got to work at your craft, and if you don’t, you’ll fall behind.”

COUNSEL: "THIS IS ANOTHER CANCEL CULTURE

Judicial Review of ousted ex-Red Deer school trustee begins in Court of King's Bench

13h ago

Fire Permitting System Reopened

Lacombe County lifts fire restriction

16h ago

may 4 at bower place

United Way Central Alberta collecting donations for Menstrual Health Day

16h ago

Trips to the States with young Canadians, which is something AIS has done, Pope notes, allows them to see the difference in effort being put in.

“For these kids, they need to know about straight up work ethic, having a good attitude and not hanging their head,” Pope says, then asked about the rep Canadians are often saddled with south of the border, and difficulties getting a real opportunity to display their talent.

“You can’t explain it. All you can do is worry about yourself and hopefully one day that changes.”

Carr, from Saint John, New Brunswick, says it’s key to remember the NFL is a huge business with a ton of marketing and hype, while the CFL has been around a lot longer and has a history people should appreciate.

“Playing the Canadian game is something to have pride in, just like maple syrup or bilingualism. The misconception is that Americans are better, but we have kids who are just as good if not better athletes. Americans just have exposure to a wider range of quality coaches,” he surmises.

“Now, a lot of ex-pros down in the U.S. are coming to Canada to give back, and Canada is starting to catch up.”

That’s not just in football, he points out.

“It’s an evolution of the sport, with new coaches and new philosophies, and it’s allowing for more opportunities for Canadian kids,” says Carr, AIS running back and offense coach.

“If you want to be the best, you have to go against the best, because then you’ll see what you have to put in. If these kids do the things we teach them to be better players, it’ll help them be better people, which makes them more aware of opportunities and how to take advantage of them. We’re teaching them that there’s more to you than the level you’re at.”

Carr believes this crop, more than ever before, must be in tune with the concept of mental toughness, on and off the field.

“Guys are banging around but at the end of the day, it’s a cerebral game, and when you’re 10, 11, 14, 15, understanding this is already important,” he says.

“Once off the field and into the workforce, these kids have had practice being a better person and professional, and they’ll be an awesome addition to any team as someone who’s reliable, dependable, resilient, can work alone or with a team, and those are all things that require taking pride in what you do.”

Davanni Brown, 13, competed for AIS at the Rumble in the Rockies (in Red Deer) earlier this month. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Davanni Brown, 13, and nephew of AIS Director Jermaine Brown, was grateful for the Rumble experience, despite losing a close one in his age group’s championship game.

“I want to play in the NFL, and it’s going to take dedication and hard work,” the Airdrie teen said. “My advice to young players coming up is to work hard, play hard and chase your goals. People tend to think American football is better, so to see Canadian football grow would be great.”

Scott Stoughton, vice president, Prince George Kodiaks, had his organization taking part in the Rumble, and said its goal is to develop kids into competitive football players who are prepared for opportunities at the post-secondary level.

“I’m a diehard Canadian football guy to the core, and I’m excited about seeing a program like this. We’re a long ways geographically from others, so locally it’s about grassroots football, trying to make it fun, and running tackle and flag programs,” he said. “It’s the ultimate team game; if you can function well on a football team, it prepares you for so much in life.”

Learn more about AIS at aisfootball.ca.

—

Subscribe to our newsletter, and download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.