New winter football programming for inner -city youth

The Winnipeg Football Club, in partnership with the University of Winnipeg, Spence Neighborhood Association, and Youth Agencies Alliance, is pleased to announce the launch of two free winter football programs that will support Winnipeg’s inner city youth with fundamental skill development, off-season conditioning, and flag football training. Both programs will take place at The University of Winnipeg’s indoor UNITED Health & RecPlex facility and are sponsored by the Winnipeg Football Club.

“Supporting amateur football is at the heart of our mandate as a club” said Wade Miller, President & CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club. “Launching these two programs will provide youth, no matter what financial barriers they may face, the opportunity to access world-class skill development training in preparation for their upcoming football seasons.”

The Winnipeg Youth Football Club is an after school flag football program and an extension of the Inner City Youth Football League started by former Winnipeg Blue Bombers Dave Donaldson and Markus Howell in 2010. The program has been re-launched by the Winnipeg Football Club in conjunction with UWinnipeg, Spence Neighborhood Association and Youth Agencies Alliance, and will see over 100 kids participate every Tuesday and Thursday evening for 10 weeks.

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The high school football Winter Skill Development Camp is a morning offseason training program run by the Winnipeg Football Club and The University of Winnipeg. Open to all high-school aged football players, the program will focus on fundamental skill development, conditioning and goal-setting. Registration for the program is required; however, sessions will operate on a drop-in basis every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 6:30 am – 8:00 am for 10 weeks. Volunteer amateur coaches have been recruited from across Winnipeg, bringing a wealth of football expertise to assist in providing youth with mentorship and coaching.

“We are happy to be partnering with the community and the Blue Bombers to bring more young people onto our campus to develop their sport and teamwork skills,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “Our Community Charter was created to ensure ongoing community access at the RecPlex and now we can add high quality football to our offerings.”