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 Posted
8/27/2009 8:00:00 AM
I have had the privilege to be actively involved in Canadian minor football here in Calgary. Since I retired as a Calgary Stampeder in 1993, I have coached Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget and High School football teams. I have also coached all star Bantam and High School teams and assisted in the scouting and the coaching of camps for the University of Calgary Dinasours. Most recently, I have been actively involved as the president of the Association bringing to pass the installation and construction of three artificial turf football fields at Shouldice Park. I played my college football in the United States at BYU, but, I am still a true, red blooded, dedicated, loyal "Canadian" when it comes to football.
What is my point. Well, the CFL has a rule that requires every CFL team to have a certain number of Canadians on a team roster. The rationale or purpose behind this rule is to 1) influence the development of football in Canada and 2) provide a chance for those who are "breed" as football players in the Canadian minor football system, a chance to play in the CFL. Back when I was recruited by the Calgary Stampeders in 1982, the criteria to be classified as a "Canadian" under CFL rules was that the player had to play all of his high school football in Canada. I agreed with that criteria and definition. Later, the CFL decision makers decided to change the rule to permit any person who was ever born in Canada to be classified as a "Canadian" for CFL purposes. I disagree with that criteria and definition.
As a consequence of that rule change, currently, in the CFL, there are many "Canadians" under the CFL definition that were born in Canada but only lived in Canada for a few years of their lives. Such a player lived most of his life in the United States. Consequently, these "Canadians" had not played any football whatsoever in Canada until they played their first CFL game. These Canadians did not play any minor football whatsoever in Canada. For a player to be born in Canada, spend the first one or two years of his life, or whatever, in Canada and then move to the United States and "grow up" totally or be "breed" fully in the United States minor football system, is not satisfying the purpose of the CFL "Canadian" rule. How does allowing such a player be classified as a Canadian help develop football in Canada. How does allowing such a player be classified as a Canadian help those in the Canadian minor football system be given a chance to play in the CFL. It doesn’t. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite. It defeats the purpose behind the rule.
The League should open its eyes and change the rule back to define a "Canadian" as a players who played all of his High School football in Canada. There are many further reasons for changing the rule back, which I will discuss in my next blog. I will also talk about how minor football in Canada has changed substantially over the past 10 years and how that should help the CFL.
Go Stamps Go. Greg Peterson
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Greg Peterson
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