Touch football coming to Strathmore

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Clayton Dunnington is taking the blueprint from one of the most successful adult touch football leagues and bringing it to Strathmore.
Dunnington has laid the groundwork for the inaugural season of the Strathmore Men’s Touch Football League (SMTFL); now he just needs the numbers.
“This past year I took the initiative to start up the league. Strathmore doesn’t really have anything like this. I just thought it was a fun way for adults to get out and play some football,” he said.
The Prescott, Ont. native left his hometown and moved to Strathmore a little over two years ago. Part of his upbringing as a young adult was participating in the Brockville (Ontario) Men’s Touch Football League. The Brockville league is in their 43rd year of existence and has nearly 200 likes on their Facebook page.
Brockville’s successful formula is simple: Create a fun league and give back to the community. Dunnington is trying his best to follow that formula to a tee.
Entrance fees for the 18-year-old and over Strathmore league are $50, with every penny going towards local youth football programs like the Strathmore Community Football Association Badgers, the Strathmore High School Spartans and the Holy Cross Collegiate Hawks.
“The more people who come out, the better it will make the league and the better payout the kids will get in the end,” said Dunnington.
Dunnington already has approval for usage of the high school fields and there is no extra cost for equipment, so all money raised can go straight into the youth football programs.
With it being one-hand touch, there is no need for pads or flags. Athletes can wear football spikes if they want, but Dunnington said running shoes would do just fine.
Games will be played 7-on-7 with the tentative starting date of Aug. 26. The season will be 10 weeks long, with the final two weeks hosting playoff games, depending on how many teams enter the league. Games will feature referees and will be played each Sunday.
There isn’t even a need for previous football experience to sign up.
“I never played football growing up. My high school didn’t have a team, so I played soccer. I had always watched football on TV and loved the sport. This league in Brockville was a great chance for me to get out, run and play a great game,” said Dunnington.
The 28-year-old is aiming for at least six teams with 10 players per unit. There aren’t plans in place for a minimum amount of women on each team simply because there hasn’t been enough interest from women, but it’s something Dunnington is definitely open to one day.
“I just want to see how the first year goes and go from there. I know the Calgary and Brockville league have their own all-girl division. I would love to get to that point one day,” he said. “I also know a lot of slo-pitch leagues have a rule of having a minimum of four women on the field at the same time. Maybe we get to there at some point, but we need to see how the first season goes first.”
For those interested, Dunnington encourages people to check out the “Strathmore Men’s Touch Football League” Facebook page for more details and contact information. There will also be three signup days at Boston Pizza running from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 23, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 for interested players.
“Hopefully this league takes off one day and adults have something to do in between the end of baseball season and the start of hockey season. I know it is a great way to get outside and have some fun. Hopefully more people like me feel the same way,” said Dunnington.