Football FAQ

When is football season?

The regular season schedule is set by the respective football leagues in Manitoba, however the season typically runs from the second week of August to the beginning of October. Playoffs are in October culminating in Championship Weekend at the stadium around November 1.

How often are practices? 

Practice times and days are set by each team's coaches, however most teams will practice two or three times a week on weekday evenings.

When and where are games?

Games are once a week.  Each team will play only on Saturday or only on Sunday during the regular season.  In the playoffs, you may play on a different weekend day.   Games are played at Fort Garry Lions club field on Clarence Ave. and Hamelin St. and at various club fields across the leagues.  Maps of all fields are on our website.

What kind of football do the kids play?

All Fort Garry Lions football is full tackle football

Pee Wee (ages 11-12) and higher ages up play full 12 man Canadian football. 

Atoms (ages 9-10) play 9 man football with Canadian rules.

Terminator (ages 7-8) play 6 man football with a significantly modified rule set.

What league does Fort Garry play in?

Terminators through Bantams (ages 7-14) play in the Manitoba Minor Football Association.  Midgets (ages 15-17) and Majors (ages 18-22) each have their own league.

What equipment do I need to buy?

Each player is responsible for supplying their own shoes and mouth guard.  All other equipment is provided by the club.  You will  be required to provide a deposit cheque for the equipment which will be returned to you when you return the equipment.

Isn’t football dangerous?

No more so than other team sports.  Bumps and bruises are most common and according to the Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, among children 5-14, football has fewer overall injuries than basketball and bicycling and fewer serious injuries than baseball.  

The players are taught how to hit and take a hit without injuring or being injured and there’s no immovable objects to be run into.  There’s also the equipment.  Fort Garry’s equipment director ensures that every players’ equipment is in top condition and fits properly.  He’s been at it for decades and is one of the best in the city. 

Why football?

We don’t have enough time for this question.  The top answer is teamwork.  Every running back needs blockers and no linebacker can cover the entire field.  Players learn very quickly that everyone is important and every player must rely on his or her teammate in order to succeed.  There’s also a role for virtually every size or skill level of player. 

The second answer to this question is: Confidence.  This develops every time an undersized player tackles a much bigger player, an oversized player executes a perfect block, a shy player delivers a big hit, or in any number of other ways.  They realize they can do more than they thought they could and they take that with them off the field. 

Can girls play?

YES!!  Fort Garry has several girls playing and excelling at a number of age levels. 

How can I volunteer?