The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation has made a $1.8 million investment to support amateur football programs across the province.
That includes the purchase and distribution of 1,000 helmets to more than 125 teams. Roughrider Foundation CEO Cindy Fuchs is proud of the work that will be made possible through fans' support of the Foundation’s 50-50 sales.
“This is a really big landmark for us. Jeff Yausie [Football Sask CEO] and I were talking about the biggest thing that can change the game of sport for minor football, and he said: 'It's helmets," Fuchs said.
“This is a football team that created a foundation to give back to football. We have a great sport, Football Sask, and all the minor football clubs in this province push football all the time, but to be able to give it a little boost is even better."
Jeff Yausie, Football Saskatchewan’s CEO, explained the work of the Roughrider Foundation will help them meet their goals.
“It's a game for everyone, all shapes, all sizes, boys and girls, men and women. One thing that helps us grow is keeping the costs down. We're excited to see these helmets and to provide a thousand football helmets to kids in our province.”
Fuchs and the Roughrider Foundation are proud to support that vision.
“We know that they will have safe helmets and they all actually have helmets to play with, which removes barriers for kids who want to play tackle football.”
President of the Football Saskatchewan volunteer board, Mike Humenny believes the foundation’s work will impact the entire province.
“The most important part about football is being safe and wearing the proper head wear, which is extremely important. This initiative is going to be province-wide. There's going to be yellow helmets in Melfort and orange helmets in Yorkton.”
Former Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive lineman Dan Clark shared the impact of the first helmet he put on when he started with Regina Minor Football.
“I walked in for the first ever time, trying on a football helmet and weighing in and everything like that. I remember them putting the helmet on, turn left, turn right, up, down: 'You're good to go.' But I said my cheeks hurt, and they told me: 'Oh, you'll get used to it.'”
Clark was impressed by the investment from the Roughrider Foundation, which will ensure a properly fitted helmet for 1,000 players around the province.
The new helmets are set to arrive in nearly 60 communities later this spring.
