WHY SHOULD MY CHILD PLAY FOOTBALL?
Football is a great sport that focuses on developing the whole child, not just the athlete. It's a team sport that develops citizenship, sportsmanship, physical activity and development. On top of all this....it's FUN!
WHAT ARE THE AGES OF PLAYERS?
We offer 3 teams. Atoms, PeeWee and Bantam. Ages are determined by how old your child will be as of December 31. Atom ages are 8-10 (generally grades 3-4 at the start of the regular season). PeeWee ages are 10-12 (generally grades 5-7 at the start of regular season). Bantam ages are 13-14 (generally grades 8 & 9 at the start of regular season). If your child is 15 and in grade 9 at the start of the regular season, or if the school they attend does not offer high school football, he/she is eligible to play Bantam football. If you're unsure of which team you would play on, contact our Club Manager directly.
IS IT FULL CONTACT?
You bet it is! Full contact, Canadian Football League style football!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
You can find all information on costs and fees on our registration page, under the registration tab along the top of our website.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BUY?
Football is one of the few sports that covers the cost of almost all the equipment your child needs. The minimum equipment you need to supply is cleats (new or used), a mouth guard and a water bottle. Our coaches also recommend you supply your child with additional under clothes (for hot and cold weather - NOT COTTON!). You can also choose to supply your child with gloves, however they are not necessary.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PARENT?
Our parents are an integral part of IMFA. Your support and commitment is welcome, needed and greatly appreciated. Your responsibilities as a parent include having a positive attitude, encouraging your child as well as the team, respect the rules, coaches, officials, opponents, and maintain self control at all times (sometimes easier said than done). Please refer to our code of conduct for more details. There will also be some travel responsibilities as we do have some away games. We can do our best to help you connect with other parents that might be willing to carpool or share travel responsibilities. You might also want to check out our "Breaking in the Rookies" document as well.
DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER?
Yes. We collect volunteer cheques that will be returned at the end of the year once your volunteering duties have been fulfilled. Parent volunteers are vital to creating a successful football season. Volunteer opportunities could be game day field set up, being team manager, helping with equipment, helping with team events. There are many needs throughout the season. See our volunteer page for more details on what will make a great season for you and your kids!
HOW LONG DOES THE SEASON RUN?
We offer a 2-3 week spring camp in May or June. We also host a summer camp mid August that runs into regular season practices and games. Regular season runs August to October with playoffs running into November.
HOW OFTEN ARE PRACTICES AND GAMES?
Regular season practices run 3 days a week. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During the regular season we play games once a week, on Saturdays starting in September. Times for games will vary and players are expected to be at games ONE HOUR prior to kickoff time. Adam players practice 2 days a week Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm.
WHERE DO YOU PLAY/PRACTICE?
Practices and home games will be held at the high school football field, on the North West corner of the school campus.
MY CHILD PLAYS HOCKEY/LACROSSE/SOCCER ETC....WILL THERE BE CONFLICTS?
Many of our athletes balance two sports, sometimes more. Athletes that play in higher tiers of hockey may have more of a challenge making both sports work. We ask that players consider such factors as whether it's a game or practice and point of season (early season vs playoffs). Also note that if a player misses too many practices during a regular season practice week, they may see very little field time during games. This is not to punish your child, this is strictly due to safety. Football practice isn't just about how to hit or tackle another player, it's also about how to take a hit or tackle. If a player misses vital practices the coaches cannot in good conscience put your player on the field to be injured.
CAN I JUST SIGN UP FOR SPRING CAMP TO TRY IT OUT?
The term "camp" refers to a session of practices. The Cyclones run a spring camp for our registered players at the end of May. The Cyclones spring camp is not a stand alone session but is part of the overall registration. Players MUST be registered with IMFA BEFORE they can receive equipment and suit up for full practice sessions. If you are unsure about whether football is for you, by all means, come and check out a few practices. You can even join in the dry land training exercises and some non contact drills, ask questions and toss the ball around. Players will not, however, be issued equipment without their completed registration and medical forms, and equipment deposit cheques.
WHAT IF MY CHILD DECIDES FOOTBALL ISN'T FOR THEM? DO I GET A REFUND?
If you change your mind within one week of submitting your registration, the registration fee less $50 will be refunded. If you should decide to withdraw from the program before August 15, the registration fee less $100 will be refunded. If you decide to withdraw from the program after August 15 but before September 15, the registration fee less $200 will be refunded. After September 15th, no refund will be issued. A player will not be considered for a refund until notice of withdrawal from the program is received in writing to the Club Manager and equipment is returned in clean condition. IMFA incurs expenses early on before the regular season starts. Some of these include insurance costs and League fees. It is for that reason we are unable to issue a full refund in some cases.
WHAT ABOUT SUMMER HOLIDAYS?
Football Alberta has declared the month of July as Summer break, meaning that no minor football team may have any formal on field events during the entire month of July. We support this decision, and we respect family vacation time. If you are planning on playing football, July would be a good time to plan your vacation. Taking vacation in August is not a deal breaker as far as football goes, but it is a critical time in the development of a team, and the player will have a steep learning curve on his or her return.
DO YOU MAKE CUT? IS THERE TRYOUTS?
Registration is on a "first come, first served" basis until all teams are full. IMFA coaches do not hold tryouts. Everyone can play. Our coaches believe there is a place for everyone, every athletic ability and personality on the team. Every position is open to players. Players are chosen for positions based on skill shown on the practice field.
CAN GIRLS PLAY?
Absolutely!!
I'm wondering if I register my son today will he still get equipment and be able to play this season. I saw that the season starts in August and it is nearly the end of the month
We accept player registrations right up until mid-September provided there is enough room on the team. If your player joins after our equipment hand out night, your player will be fitted at the field before or after practice (please arrange fitting time with your team manager).