Football plays a key role in the community of Hafford. (Facebook/Hafford Vikings)

By Martin Martinson

Voting open now

Hafford named finalist for Riders Community Support initiative

Apr 1, 2021 | 4:59 PM

The community of Hafford has been named a finalist for the Saskatchewan Roughriders most recent community initiative.

The “Riders and Special Blend Community Support Initiative,” will give away $5,000 to three rural communities across the province.

Hafford is joined as a finalist by Wilcox, Springside, Peepeekisis Cree Nation, and Arcola, Sask., who round out the top five.

Ryan Barnstable is the senior football coach with the Hafford Vikings football team. He said the sport serves as a big focus in the community, and a real unifier amongst the locals.

“Players, parents and community people are always pitching in and helping out with the facilities and field and volunteering during home games,” Barnstable said. “More than just the Hafford community, it’s the surrounding area that’s involved as well, and we have great turnout at our home games, and support from our community at all of our games.”

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In addition to the local school teams, the community also offers a Hafford Minor Football Program as well, with tackle football for the high school aged youth and flag football for the younger ages.

The Minor Football teams often also feature kids from as far out as Blaine Lake or Borden, who come to the community to play the sport as well.

Barnstable said winning the $5,000 would be something special, as it could go towards ensuring the local football program continues to thrive, and give as many local-area kids a chance to play as possible.

“I think it’s important to give opportunities locally for the kids to participate in sports in their hometown, as some don’t have the opportunity to drive other places to play,” he said. “I think just the fact that a community member took the initiative to nominate us just kind of shows the support of the community, which is obviously a big thing here.”

Voting is currently underway and will run until April 5. To vote today, click here.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1