Team try-outs for the Valley Minor Football Association began in early August, with more than 100 players taking to the gridiron for a spot on one of the Bulldogs’ four squads.
“We’ve been at it for most of the month,” said association president Rob Suffron.
“We’ve got over 100 trying out and people getting added daily. There’s good representation at all levels.”
While this season will be a rebuilding year for the Peewee team, Suffron predicted the Bulldogs would be competitive in both atom and bantam division play.
“Bantam should be really good,” he said.
“We have a number of bantam players that played in national championships and were gold medal winners in the Atlantic Bowl. High school football is going to be in good shape for the next few years from what players they will be getting from us.”
The teams play an eight-game regular season and then play-offs.
“When school starts there will likely be a little jump in enrollment,” said Suffron, adding registration in the Valley Minor Football Association is open until the end of September.
Suffron said the Bulldogs “are a family. We get support from parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. That’s really what makes the whole thing run,” he said.
“Let the coaches coach.”
Suffron said the Bulldogs “like people to come out as much as possible” to the home games at the Kinsmen Field in Canning.
“It’s good football.”
The Valley Minor Football Association played its inaugural season in 1999, starting off with one Peewee team, said past president Tom Nichols.
“Interest grew to what it is today,” he said, with teams in four divisions accommodating players from ages 6 to 15.
“Basically because of minor football… we now have five high school teams,” said Nichols. “That’s a direct response to the minor football program. There’s quite an interest in football in the Valley.”
The season schedule is due to be released any day. For further information visit www.valley-bulldogs.ca
