Minor football registration kicks off in Niagara

Registration for the 2017 Niagara Regional Minor Football Association season gets underway Saturday in Niagara Falls. Sessions from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. will also be held Saturday, Feb. 18, as well as Saturday, Feb. 25, at the league’s office and equipment centre at 4478 Montrose Rd. Additional registration will be available at the office most Tuesdays, beginning at 7 p.m. Players can also be registered online at www.footballniagara.com. Niagara minor football follows a Fair Play policy to ensure no player will be forgotten on the sidelines. “Our league is committed to treating every player equally and encouraging each to develop to the best of their ability as they get opportunities to play more than one position,” spokesman Ed Telenko said on behalf of a league that last season had teams playing out of Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, as well as Smithville and Welland. The 12-per-side, four-down league hopes to stock teams in four divisions: tyke, for players born in 2010 and 2011; atom, 2007-2009; peewee, 2005-2006; and bantam, 2003-2004. Players must be weighed when they are fitted for football pants and other protective equipment. Fee is $280 for the first player in a family, $255 for the second and $230 for the third. A $100 refundable deposit is added to the cost for the first player. Families needing financial assistance can visit www. jumpstartcanadiantire.ca.