INAUGURAL CFL WEEK COMING TO SASK
TORONTO (November 15, 2016) – The Canadian Football League (CFL) unveiled on Tuesday that Saskatchewan will play host to the first-ever CFL Week in March 2017.
The offseason gathering will include several major fan engagement events, multi-day media access opportunities to more than 50 prominent CFL players, a Hall of Fame and player Gala Dinner, a coaches’ media junket and a new passing showcase tournament featuring several of Canada’s top university football programs.
The week will be capped off with the CFL’s National Combine, where Canada’s rising stars will come together in Regina for the most social and most accessible Combine – for fans and media – in CFL history.
“CFL Week will bring together everything that is great about our league in one place for one exciting week: important football events such as our national Combine, opportunities for fans to meet and greet our biggest stars, and access for the media to the league’s biggest players and decision makers,” said Jeffrey L. Orridge, CFL Commissioner.
CFL Week will take place from March 20-26, 2017 with wall-to-wall coverage on CFL.ca, and will bring together several fan-facing events and League-wide meetings, including:
- National Combine presented by adidas– with increased access for media and fans;
- Western Regional Combine presented by adidas;
- CFL/TSN Player Shoot – a CFL ON TSN production shoot with more than 50 CFL players, plus members of the CFL ON TSN broadcast team on-site;
- Media Days – interview and content opportunities with the CFL’s biggest stars;
- Fan Expo – kiddie combine, open mic with the Commissioner, meet-and-greets with players, player panels and cheerleading displays;
- Hall of Fame Gala Dinner – featuring Class of 2017 announcement;
- Coaches’ Media Event– featuring sessions with Head Coaches and GM’s of each team;
- CFL Rules and Competition Committee Meetings;
- Passing Showcase – tournament featuring some of Canadian Football’s rising USports stars;
- Football Saskatchewan Coaches Clinic – two days, sessions with 250+ amateur coaches, Safe Contact Training.
“It is an honour for Saskatchewan to be the site of the first ever CFL Week,” stated Riders President & CEO Craig Reynolds. “The week long showcase will put current, past, and future CFL stars in front of our amazing fans. We are looking forward to welcoming the entire CFL to our beautiful city and province.”
It's really interesting how any time an sports organization embarks on something new, they come to Saskatchewan first. Sounds like a fun time. Looking forward to getting out to some of the events.
In March? Gulp! How fast can you get a roof on that new stadium? ??
HUGE covered fieldhouse right next door for the Passing Showcase/combine.
I'd love to see this be a bid process to host for communities. CFL markets would be fine and dandy, but in off-season this could be a perfect opportunity to push the league into next markets. Hold it in Halifax, Victoria, London where it can be an EVENT rather than something that gets lost in TO or Vancouver.
You gotta admit, great idea by Orridge to raise the visibility of the CFL in the offseason which has been sorely lacking through the years. Plus it also helps grassroots football in Canada gain not only much needed exposure but also a bigger foothold with the CFL which is very important since the NFL is sponsoring flag football. The next thing to do is to get a deal signed with a national beer sponsor to promote the hell out of the league in every single bar in this country. Budweiser does it with the NFL, there's no reason our game… Read more »
Why do we need the roof?? The soccer field across the parking lot will be able to host the majority of the combine, I would think!
It will be interesting to see how this fares in Saskatchewan. I am sure there will be no shortage of fans and I dare say a much needed event to get Rider fans in a good frame of mind for next year. Good on the CFL for venturing west!
Well, I will be there so that's all that matters.
Rod, PLEASE,PLEASE PLEASE set up your blog to eliminate Anonymous commenters.
"Hold it in Halifax, Victoria, London where it can be an EVENT rather than something that gets lost in TO or Vancouver."
Not a bad idea at all. As long as they have the facilities then why not.
This could be a tough sell in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal…NHL teams in stretch drive to the playoffs come March. And NHL is king in these markets.
Would they allow me to show off my guns throwing quick release one step perfect spirals end zone to end zone with Bowman/Tasker recieving at this event?
Boh Le'eye Mit'chill
Love that guy with green wig pounding a beer in the middle of that pic. nothing like a party at 3pm on a Tuesday hahahahahaha
Roddy, did you ask the Commish about the conspiracy this year against the riders?
Heard the village idiot Derek Myers talking about how this will fail because of WHL playoffs.
Ummm, this is being done for MLB season opens and before Stanley Cup playoffs start. The WHL is nothing compared to those other leagues.
Regina hockey fans and football fans will show up.
LD
How did they get so many people at the Brewhouse on a Tuesday afternoon in Rider gear. That's awesome
Above pic;
Jeffrey L., that must have been very uncomfortable, the only person there of other ethnicity. Professional football reserved (look around mosaic) for the privilaged, played by the minority man.
JN
Wow are you disturbed.
Many of people posting comments on this blog are disturbed, deeply disturbed!
Great idea! No better place to have it than in the heart of the CFL!
This is a kiss & make up by Commissioner Porridge for all the wrong he has put on the Ridernation!!!
Good idea. We plan on attending what we can.
Newt from YQR