Working together to strengthen Canadian Football

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League and Football Canada are doing a “deep dive” on the state of amateur football in the country.

A national survey of thousands of amateur football participants, coaches and officials is now underway.

It’s a key part of a broader study being conducted on behalf of the CFL and Football Canada by McLaren Global Sport Solutions, a leading professional and amateur sport consulting company based in Toronto.

“Our teams do a tremendous amount to support, encourage and showcase amateur football in their communities,” said Kevin McDonald, Vice-President of Football Operations for the CFL.

“The goal of this outreach is to provide insights that can inform and guide our league as we work to develop a broader and deeper amateur football strategy at the national level.”

Richard MacLean, President, Football Canada, described it as a landmark study.

“We commend the CFL for providing the resources to do what is really a deep dive on the amateur game in Canada,” MacLean said.

“It will provide data that can be used to strengthen the delivery of football in Canada to better meet the needs of participants, parents, coaches and officials.”

McLaren Global Sport Solutions will also conduct interviews with amateur football organizations across Canada including Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Canadian Junior Football League, and provincial football associations. CFL teams and corporate partners also are included as part of this study.

The survey can be completed by parents of children playing the game, as well as those 19 years of age or older who are playing organized football, tackle or flag.

Coaches and officials are also being encouraged to compete the survey, which is being distributed by Football Canada and various amateur football organizations.

The survey which is available here is voluntary and responses are confidential. The study is to be completed this June.