Is Canadian football losing high school teams? Retired Canadian coach-turned-author Terry Edwards asks

In his new book Before the Field Goes Dark, retired Canadian teacher and coach Terry Edwards examines why high school football programs are disappearing — and what communities across Canada are doing to keep them.

Tackle football is on the decline or has disappeared from many Canadian small town and rural high schools, Edwards says.

“In some regions of the country, however, smaller high schools continue to enjoy a long history of success. What are those regions doing differently to allow the game to prosper? Could we replicate this success in high schools in other parts of Canada,” he asked in an interview with Postmedia.

He added high school football once brought communities together on Friday nights, opened doors for young athletes and gave students opportunities that extended well beyond the field.

“Across Canada, however, programs are disappearing, teams are struggling to find enough players and some schools have nowhere to play,” he said.

Before the Field Goes Dark looks at the state of high school football challenges threatening its future and steps communities have taken to keep the game alive across Canada.

“Numbers nowhere near what they used to be – combine junior and senior in to varsity football. Other areas, still booming in the Prairies, but they have their own challenges,” said Edwards, who began his career as a management consultant before moving into teaching.

He transitioned to coaching football after his playing eligibility at Queen’s University ended. Joining the university’s coaching staff allowed him to remain involved in a sport he loved and kickstarted a career coaching football and other sports.

Now retired, Edwards is using his time to document the sport’s condition in every province and territory, hoping today’s students will have access to the same opportunities.

“As I conducted research for this book, I talked to people and organizations from across the country. Interviews took place with players, parents, family members, coaches, athletic directors, administrators, provincial and national governing bodies, school sports organizations, equipment suppliers, referees, sports authors, members of the media, the Canadian Football League, and fans,” he said, adding there is no single reason for the decline in high school football in regions of Canada.

“The decline is not limited to one community or one cause. Death by 1,000 cuts,” Edwards said, describing the combination of pressures facing programs.

Declining school enrolment, staff losses with transfers and moves to other schools and the disappearance of industries in smaller communities have all contributed to shrinking player numbers. Schools that once fielded 24-plus player junior and senior teams are increasingly combining players into varsity programs.

“In some places, the numbers simply are not there. Teams can struggle to meet minimum roster sizes, while injuries during a season can leave them unable to continue,” Edwards said, describing situations where schools have a thriving team but no suitable opponent because the rest of the league cannot maintain consistent programs.

Edwards said six and nine-player football are key in some communities across the country.

“They are important alternatives to the traditional 12-player game. Smaller formats can give athletes more opportunities to touch the ball and require players to handle multiple positions,” he said.

Coaching is another pressure point. Football requires specialized knowledge and certification, and maintaining qualifications takes time. In some schools, a sport has depended heavily on one teacher or coach; when that person leaves, the program can disappear with them.

Edwards wants communities to recognize those challenges before programs reach that point. Schools, school boards, provincial associations and potential volunteers all have a role in finding solutions tailored to their circumstances.

He also notes the book gives officials a voice in the discussion, amid concerns about abuse from players, coaches and spectators, and examines the pressures that contribute to officials leaving the game early in their careers.

“Some cities have to no high school officials on days there are CFL games.”

He pointed to Saskatchewan’s ongoing participation in the sport and Alberta’s approach to separating club and school seasons as examples of how communities can adapt.

“Although the primary focus was high school football, a true picture could not have been achieved without examining community / club football, flag football, women’s football, semi professional, and professional football, along with the overall state of high school athletics in Canada. Every province and territory and Canada was included in the conversation,” Edwards said.

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