GENE MAKOWSKY TACKLES MINOR FOOTBALL IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on August 25, 2008

Saskatchewan Roughrider Gene Makowsky today presented Premier Brad Wall with his final report of minor football in Saskatchewan.

Earlier this year, Wall asked Makowsky to lead a project to examine the current state of Saskatchewan's minor football, identify barriers in participation and recommend ways to overcome them in order to develop positive values in children and youth while growing minor football in the province.

Through consultations with community leaders and sports organizations, Makowsky has developed a report that identifies ways to overcome barriers to participation and help realize the potential of Saskatchewan youth. The report deals with facilities, programming, equipment, coaching, officials and funding issues, and makes the following recommendations:

1. The provincial and municipal governments develop capital funding programs that would be eligible to support new/upgraded minor football facilities where needed.

2. A grant be made available to new leagues/teams to help cover a portion of the initial up-front costs of equipment based on the number of registered participants.

3. The football community should investigate ways to increase the recruitment and retention of coaches.

4. The football community should investigate ways to increase the recruitment and retention of officials. Initiatives that promote respect of officials should be a priority.

5. In order to ensure that current and future programs (including the ones brought forward in this report) are properly looked after in Saskatchewan, the province and SaskSport should review present program guidelines within the sport system to ensure they are meeting the needs of Football Saskatchewan and all provincial sport organizations.

6. Conduct a review of current grant programs available from government and non- government agencies and develop a list of potential funding sources to be made available to community sport organizations. Ensure grant programs are available that meet the needs of inner city sport initiatives.

"I'd like to thank Gene for all the hard work he's done in preparing this comprehensive report," Wall said. "Gene has given all of us some solid advice on how to continue growing the levels of participation in minor football across Saskatchewan."

"I am excited about this report on minor football in Saskatchewan," Makowsky said. "Playing football as a child helped me realize my potential and as a result I found success right here at home - every kid deserves the same opportunity."

"Participating in sport gives young people a chance to learn many skills, and football makes a huge contribution to this learning process," Ian Cook, President of SaskSport said. "The renewed interest is great to see and we look forward to working with Saskatchewan Football to implement the recommendations from the report."

Wall said the next step will be for SaskSport and Football Saskatchewan to review the report and provide their feedback. The report will also be sent to minor football organizations across the province and posted on the Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport website www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca

"Gene's report also provides some great advice on starting a minor football program in Saskatchewan," Wall said. "I was involved in getting a football program going in Swift Current a few years ago, so I know this kind of advice will be extremely helpful to others who are getting a program going in their community."

Saskatchewan minor football has seen renewed interest in recent years. Over the last decade the number of participants in minor football leagues has tripled in some areas.

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For more information, contact:

Janice Wilby
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781