The annual 6-man football clash between Canada and the USA is coming to Rosetown in 2025.
WestCentralOnline spoke with Rosetown Central High School athletic director and football coach Mitch Wintonyk for more details. Rosetown was the home for tryouts and practice ahead of the 2024 game down in Wyoming, as now the real action will be returning to West Central.
"(Said) we want dibs on hosting it the following year. We weren't sure if we would, but around November we decided it was something we could do."
Another reason Wintonyk wanted the 2025 game in Rosetown is that he feels a few of his players could make the cut.
"Kind of want to host it when you have representation from your school. We feel with the crew of kids we have in Grade 12, at least a couple will make that team."
The roster won't be up to Wintonyk, helping behind the scenes instead of on the field. He shared the team is in more than capable hands with Ryan Barnstable at the helm.
"Couple reasons, number one I think his track record speaks for itself," chuckled Wintonyk. "He has won six provincial championships in a row. He's been involved in CanAm the past couple years, so he's got a sense of what the Americans are going to do."
Wintonyk didn't want to be involved with coaching if he couldn't put his full effort behind the job. He's still keeping tabs on the team however, featuring some local talent already on the list.
"He sent me the list of players that have signed up so far. Just from kids I have seen, and we played against in previous years (around the area). I think it will be a pretty solid group; we are going to compete with those Americans this year." said Wintonyk as a shift to Canadian soil, and Canadian rules should help their odds as well.
The game is set for July 1, and West Central residents can keep an eye out for ticket information throughout the spring.