Estevan Minor Football’s U14 Lions Oilers are gearing up for a fresh season with a nearly brand-new roster, but Head Coach Christian Pfeifer says the team’s culture remains unchanged.
“Five and one was our record last year and it was a historic season for us at the U14 level,” Pfeifer said. “We've never seen that kind of success before at our level. So it was really nice to go in there as my first year as head coach and bring that to the team.”
With only six returning players from last year’s 28-player roster, Pfeifer said the 2025 squad will be largely made up of first-year athletes.
“We had quite an old team. Of the 28 players that we had last year, we're only getting six of them back this year, so it's gonna be a fairly fresh team, a lot of first year players, but that's the fun,” he said. “When it comes to minor football, we only get these kids for two years. So we get to mold them into the shape that we want them to be as football players and then send them off and hope that the next group can do just as well with them.”
Pfeifer said the team’s culture is built on connection and support.
“So there's one thing that we've been preaching for a very long time at minor football and that's football is family,” he said. “We as coaches, strongly believe that we are a brotherhood and a sisterhood on the field and off the field. That bond that you create with your players, with your teammates, it doesn't go away even once you're not playing together anymore.”
Equipment handout is scheduled for Aug. 14, registration for the season closes Aug. 15, and practices begin Aug. 18. Pfeifer said latecomers are still welcome.
“So we set the deadline usually because we want to have a more or less finalized roster going into practices and going into the season,” he explained. “However, throughout the season, we're never going to turn a player away if they're interested in football, and they want to join late. We're not going to say ‘absolutely not try again next year.’ We're going to welcome them in, but then hopefully the next year, they'll know that it's there and they'll be able to sign up when the deadline is up.”
Coaches are also needed across all Estevan Minor Football teams each season.
More information is available on the Estevan Minor Football website and Facebook page.