The St. Albert Minor Football Association kicks off its 2016 season with a tripleheader today at Riel Recreation Park.
The festivities start at 9:45 a.m. with greetings from SAMFA president James Wilkie and Mayor Nolan Crouse.
The 10 a.m. peewee exhibition features the junior varsity St. Albert Colts and the senior varsity St. Albert Riders, the 2015 Football Alberta and Capital District Minor Football Association Tier 2 champions.
The bantam exhibition between the junior varsity St. Albert Fury and Spruce Grove Cougars begins at 12:30 p.m.
The senior varsity St. Albert 49ers, last year’s CDMFA bantam Tier 2 finalists, huddle up against the Stony Plain Bombers in exhibition action at 5:30 p.m.
The concession booth will be open and 50/50 and raffle draws will also take place.
There is no admission charge but donations of non-perishable food will be accepted in support of the St. Albert Food Bank.
The last third division men’s match of the season for the St. Albert Rugby Football Club kicks off today at 2 p.m. against the host Lep/Tigers.
The Lep/Tigers (6-3) are ranked third and SARFC (2-8) sits 11th in the 12-team Edmonton Rugby Union table.
Meanwhile, a mid-week change to the Alberta Cup premier men’s fixtures switched today’s match between SARFC (6-2) and the host Clan (3-5) to Friday night. The score from Airways Park was unavailable at press time.
The Edmonton Rugby Union U18 junior women’s final between the St. Albert Rugby Football Club and the Nor’Westers scrums down Monday.
Kick-off is 6:30 p.m. at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
The winner advances to the Aug. 27 provincial final against the Calgary Rugby Union rep in Calgary.
The SARFC ladies are 5-0 (393 PF/15 PA) and the Nor'Westers are 3-2 (168 PF/90 PA).
SARFC defeated the Nor’Westers in league play 36-10 July 11.
The SARFC roster consists of several returning players from last year’s U19 ERU finalists. SARFC and the Nor’Westers Maroon team battled to a 33-33 draw in regulation time and drop goals from the 22-metre line determined the outcome as SARFC lost 2-1 after a marathon round of 18 kicks.
Nor’Westers/Crude also won the 2014 U19 final.
A number of SARFC juniors have contributed to the success of St. Albert’s division one team in the ERU after the high school season ended.
