Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Football Ontario form partnership

There will be more youth and women’s football events at Tim Hortons Field and across Hamilton, thanks to a partnership formed between the CFL’s Tiger-Cats and Football Ontario.

As outlined by the Ticats, the partnership will see various events take place at Tim Hortons Field throughout the year. Those include a high school football summer camp, a flag football skills camp, officiating clinics, NCCP-accredited coaching clinics and an OWIFA tournament.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Football Ontario,” says Courtney Stephen, who is director of community partnerships for Hamilton Sports Group. “We know that if we work together to provide players, coaches and officials with the resources they need to be successful it will have a tremendous impact on the growth of minor football and the youth who play in our community.”

Football Ontario is the governing sport of the gridiron game at the amateur level in the province. With its help, the Tiger-Cats will continue to support football at the club and collegiate levels in Hamilton and the surrounding area. Local minor football teams will be showcased at Tim Hortons Field throughout the 2023 season.

Ticats players will continue to visit local high schools and minor football clubs through the Tiger-Cats High School Mentorship Program, serving as guest coaches to provide leadership and character development to youth footballers on and off the field.

“We are excited to partner with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to bring more opportunities for youth football development to the Football Ontario community,” says Aaron Geisler, who is executive director of Football Ontario. “This partnership allows us to further our mission of “Football for All” by promoting and growing the sport of football in Ontario, while providing access to top-quality programs, clinics and events at Tim Hortons Field.”

The NCCP is the National Coaching Certification Program. The full name of OWIFA is Ontario Women’s Intercollegiate Football Association.

Hamilton Sports Group is the partnership that manages the Tiger-Cats, Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League, and Tim Hortons Field.

(Cover image: The Canadian Press.)