EMF Hands Out Awards And Holds AGM

Estevan Minor Football officially wrapped up their year Wednesday night with their annual awards ceremony and AGM.

Maria Baniuils receives the Bantam Oilers' Rookie of the Year award in her first year of football.

The evening commenced by getting business out of the way. Among the major highlights was Paul Duncan stepping down from the role of President, handing it off to Kevin Mortensen, and taking over as Vice President. Essentially, the pair simply switched nameplates, and not for the first time.

It was also noted that EMF recorded a total income of over $75,000 at year's end, and despite nearly $50,000 in expenses, they managed a $25,608.78 net income thanks to fundraising and sponsorship inititiaves.

"That revenue will definitely go forward to getting some new equipment for us, once again building that bank budget just in case of terrible things like what happened in 2011, and just making sure that we have enough operating expenses just in case things change," stated the out-going President, Duncan, "I take pride in the work that everyone's done to be able to make sure that we're steering the ship in the right direction."

Vicki and Lonnie Rooks were the Volunteers of the Year.

He himself wanted to take a step back and focus on his coaching role with the Bantam Oilers, while Mortensen is backing off from his position as coach of the Atom Cudas. The replacement will be chosen a little ways down the road.

Mortensen said that he plans to carry on the work that Duncan developed with EMF.

"I was President before Paul (was President), and we just kind of share the same vision. We really want to grow the sport, football in Estevan."

This will take on a variety forms, including winter camps, more promotion, player safety, increased competition and more. Modifications to the playbook, to streamline it across all levels as kids progress, is also in line. The incoming President has already been singing the praises of the program in presentations to schools across the southeast.

Awards handed out include Offensive and Defensive MVP's, Team MVP's, Rookie's of the year, and the Bryan Illerbrun award, which went to Kolby Forseth.

Bryan Illerbrun was born in Gainsborough, Saskatchewan, played for the Elecs football program at the ECS, and then played for 14 seasons in the CFL, and winning two Grey Cups with BC in 1985 and Saskatchewan in 1989. He passed away in 2013. The award was donated to EMF for a player who shows good sportsmanship, as well as leadership on the field and in the community.

"I feel really happy. I've been in this football for quite awhile, and I appreciate all the coaching...they brought me this far, so I appreciate everyone who made me get this far in football," expressed Forseth, who credits the sport with developing him into his current self.

"Playing football showed me how to be a leader, how to take responsibility and everything. It showed me to become who I am today, a super big thing in life."

He added that he hopes to make something of his football career, and see where it takes him.

A full list of award winners and a gallery is below...

Atom Cudas

Defensive MVP ----- Indy Froese

Offensive MVP -----Truman Ciepliski

Most Improved ----- Andrew Seymour

Rookie of the Year ----- Kohen Brownridge

Sportsmanship ----- Owen Puryk and Holden Martens

Fundraising ----- Halen Lesy

Team MVP ----- Broden Henry

Peewee Chargers

Defensive MVP ----- Talys Brock and Kobe Wotta