Raiders set to mark 25 years

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/05/2015 (4057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tiime flies when you’re having fun. And that’s just what has been provided for thousands of young football players since the Eastman Raiders organization was founded a quarter century ago.

And of course football, considered the ultimate team game by many, is way more than just having fun. It teaches these youngsters so many life lessons along the way.

This is the backdrop for the Raiders this season as they celebrate their 25^th anniversary since the program was started by Paul Beauchamp, and others.

Incoming president Sean Walsh says they won’t know exactly how many teams will operate under the Raiders umbrella this season until registration is completed.

Registration for the upcoming Raiders’ season is this week, May 7-9, at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach. Last year there were seven teams: three Crunchers, two Atom and Pee Wee and Bantam teams.

Brett Daley, director of coaches for the Eastman Raiders and the longtime coach of the Eastman Raiders midget team, attempted to resurrect the midget team this year but fell short of the 30 players needed to field the team. The midget team took a hiatus last year because of a shortage of players.

The Midget Raiders are the only Eastman Raiders team to win a league championship over the years as they claimed the 2009 Midget Football League of Manitoba championship. Several other teams from the various age groups have come close, including a few that have made it to the finals, but have lost in the championship game.

Walsh said a major celebration will be held during Raiders Day in August to mark the 25^th anniversary. The exact date and details will be announced when the league schedule is released in a few weeks time.

Registration at Clearspring this week will be Thursday and Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and May 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

There is a new Manitoba Minor Football Association (MMFA) bylaw in effect for the 2015 season pertaining to registration. Teams will now be filled on a first come, first served basis for all levels of football. No preference will be given to returning players as per the new MMFA bylaw.