President's Message

It is with great pleasure and pride that I report to you today as President of the CDMFA.

This AGM marks an important milestone in our progress; that moment when we all pause and reflect on our many accomplishments of 2023, acknowledge some of our challenges, and chart the course for our future endeavours.

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to the CDMFA, to your clubs, to the kids, and to the sport of football. It is your passion, loyalty, and tireless efforts that form the very foundation of our success both on and off the field. When I stepped in as the interim President in 2022, I put the question of our struggle back to you, “There are large and difficult challenges weighing on us daily … we must look for the positive and continue to move forward. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek.” And like a true team and die-hard competitors, you took up this challenge … looking in the mirror and finding the resources and creativity needed to grow, change, and adapt to the evolving landscape of football and youth sport.

Last year, when we ran into roadblocks to growing youth football, I challenged you yet again with a quote from Jerry Rice, “Today I will do what others won’t … so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” Once again, with the passion and spirit of warriors, you came together as a unified force taking on issues with shortages of fields, availability of officials, … and you even took on Mother Nature with her forest fires and air quality. Doing what others wouldn’t meant we have accomplished more than the rest ever will.

Over the past year, we have witnessed remarkable triumphs as seen in the high scores on the parent survey ratings, the increased CDMFA player and coach representation at the Provincial and National level, and the expanded program offerings and incredible year-over-year growth. Through perseverance and unity, we have emerged stronger than ever. Our players, coaches, and volunteers have showcased extraordinary skill, determination, and sportsmanship, earning accolades and admiration from fans in the local football community, around the province, and even across the country.

Beyond the realm of competition, our association continues to make an impact in our greater community. Through various outreach programs, charitable initiatives, and youth development efforts, we are nurturing the next generation of athletes and fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and respect. Our commitment to social responsibility remains unwavering, as we strive to be not only champions on the field but also agents of positive change in society. We believe that Football is Family …Football is Community … you can’t just say it, you have to live it.

Looking ahead, we face a set of new challenges and opportunities that demand our collective focus and determination. Once again, we must look within ourselves and find creative solutions to the shortage of available field spaces, shortage of officials, inflationary costs, and the likelihood of additional strains put on us by environmental factors that are outside our control. Our biggest challenge continues to be our continued success and growth … the bigger we are, the more resources we need. This unprecedented growth means the adage “This is how we’ve always done it,” will NOT work. The old templates for how to run a football program are not meeting the demand for programming and the needs or expectations of the membership.

Recruiting kids and then turning them away or shutting down teams to stay within the existing formats is not a sustainable business practice. We need to find creative solutions to meet these demands. … There is no “amazon site” where we can just order more field space, more coaches, or more officials. … we need to look at ourselves and find the means to build the resources we need.
So … we’re doing more for 2024 …
- Improved promotion and engagement for girls’ football programming.
- Further development and expansion of the CDMFA Officials Program
- Rebranding and redesign of the former Midget program.
- Further development and expansion of Flag Football programs & competition.
- Further development and education on the LTAD, “Made for Alberta Solution”
- Development of additional Field Staff / Game Staff Training Programs: Announcers, Managers, Trainers, Equipment Managers
- Providing more opportunities for networking, learning, and personal development of Coaching staff … and the recruitment of additional coaching resources.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of youth sports and football in Canada, we must remain vigilant in upholding the values that define us - integrity, excellence, and teamwork. By fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we will position ourselves for sustained success in the years to come. Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

Working together we have been successful at many things … but we can’t stop now. “Football for life” is not just a hashtag for CDMFA, but rather a mantra that speaks to the driving force behind everything we do. “Football for life” … means we don’t stop. We continue to work and learn and build to ensure that for this generation, and many more to come that we have a sport and a community that is strong, resilient, and inclusive for everyone in this game we all love.

Thank you again for your dedication to football and the youth. Here's to another exciting year of fun, family, friends, and football!

Tracy Kociuba
CDMFA, President