Interview with the President of NCAFA

Questions

Tell me a little bit about the NCAFA and what initiatives you have on the go please.  Where can we find information about your league?
 
Answers
 
Well NCAFA turned 65 this year.   Started out as a Pee-Wee league way back then and today we have 13 clubs in 2 provinces with close to 2800 players from 8 to 18 playing in five age levels in tackle and flag.   As for the information just go to NCAFA.CA  and you can find the right program whether it's tackle or flag.  
 
Questions
 
I have heard that NCAFA is the place to play football in Ottawa and surounding areas.  What is the secret?
 
Answers

Our volunteers.  The hundreds of hours they give up for free.  They love their communities.   They love the game and they know that this great sport of ours, allows kids from all backgrounds,  all shapes, all sizes and to come together as equals.  All kids feel welcome.  
 
Questions
 
What message do you have for families that are considering putting their kids in football today and specifically in NCAFA? 
 
Answer
 
Pre 2014, we were seeing a decline in our registration numbers.   The sport was under attack.   Some of it self-inflicted and some of it unwarranted.   But a few things started happening in 2014.   Manufacturers started making safer helmets,  everyone from the CFL to Universities to youth leagues like ours, started to change the culture around teaching and managing the risk of our contact sport.  Today youth football has come thousands of kilometres in terms of safety.    Another part of our comeback was that we also needed to be more inclusive.  
 
From getting more young girls playing, to reaching out to new Canadians,  to developing flag football for those that weren’t interested in tackle football and continuing ensuring that low income families never worried about their children missing out on playing a team sport.
 
Youth Football is a very cheap sport to sign up for. On average a season costs $350 dollars. And no equipment is needed to be bought-   as we supply it all.    
 
Football is the only sport where a player will walk into a change room in whatever clothes they can afford and then walk out onto the field, and regardless of their parent’s income, equipped exactly like their teammates around them.  Every player walks out of that dressing wearing the same 350 dollar helmet, the same 200 buck shoulder pad, the same socks, the same pants and the same jersey.     
 
Everyone is equal as long they work as hard as they can.
 
Questions
 
What drives you and the team at NCAFA?
 
Answers
 
The kids.   My father passed away when I was 12.  I was mentored and I had no idea at the time-  by volunteer coaches and organisations.  Playing sports played a huge part in who I am today.   Everyone at NCAFA wants every kid to have a safe place where they make friendships,  feel part of something and of course, enjoy the experience.  
 
Questions
 
How can friends, family and volunteers help or contribute to NCAFA?
 
Answers
 
16 years ago my sons decided that football was cool enough to try. Like most parents I knew little of NCAFA.  I started off as their chauffeur. A few practices in I saw that their tyke team needed a trainer. So I asked if I could help out there.  I was given a big hug. Which at the time I thought was strange.   But today I understand the love behind that hug. I was being welcomed into a community, an extended family that didn't care who I was or what I did or whether I had played the game or not. What was important was that I had asked to help. That ask to help, was one the best decisions I have made in my adult life.
 
So please don't wait to be asked to help. Sometimes those doing the work are too busy to think about asking for help. I fall into that trap at times myself. And hence the hug I got 16 years ago from a stranger.
 
This is your league. A league that is driven by volunteers who simply want to help kids get to where they want to get to. If you can, please ask to help out at your local club.
 
And trust me when I say this, there are a lot of hugs waiting to be given out. And if hugs aren't your thing, there are tons of big smiles out there as well.

Gawain Harding, President Of NCAFA
National Capital Amateur Football Association