(Staff photo)
Over 10,000 fans from all across Atlantic Canada enjoyed a nail-biting game of CFL football at the Medavie Blue Cross Stadium.
Whether they took in the excitement from the stands or one of two fun zones, overall the response was positive.
We asked RJ Genge, who travelled from Nova Scotia for the game, what he thinks of the opportunity to have a CFL team in the Maritimes.
“We’re from the Lunenberg area, outside Halifax. I don’t know where that team would be, but I think it would a wonderful exploration of the sporting environment in the Maritimes. I think it is great,” Genge says.
13-year-old Fischer Genge was the winner of the Punt, Pass and Kick competition that was held on the field prior to the start of the game.
President of the Greater Moncton Football Association Dennis Ronan says this kind of event is a big boost for the sport overall, “It’s Atlantic football. So, football in the area is beneficial to all football in Atlantic Canada. I think it is fabulous, no matter if it is in Halifax of Moncton. It turned out to be a fantastic sunny day, perfect weather for football. The pre-game party was a huge success.”
There were long lineups of fans waiting to get into the event, and we did hear a few concerns about the length of time they had to wait, but otherwise, fans said the game went very smoothly.
Genge says, “The logistics weren’t too bad. A few things, it looks like they are working out like ticket line-ups and logistics associated with lining up at the right place, at the right time, but other than that it seemed to go off very well, and the family environment is wonderful.”
There were many volunteers on hand at the pre-game party, and also inside the event.
Scott Babineau of Moncton was one of them, “It was an awesome event. A lot of the folks in the community are getting together to help host this. It shows great team spirit to help get a football team for Atlantic Canada.”
Theresa Butts, who was also volunteering says the Stadium would be a great place for future football and other events, “This is a beautiful facility and it would be nice to see it being used more. We were here and volunteered for FIFA and it ran so smoothly and it was beautiful. I think it is a great facility and it really should be utilized more.”
Shuttle services were offered by the City of Moncton, with fans parking at the Coliseum and being bussed in from there. The Greater Moncton Football Association also offered shuttle services from Rocky Stone Field.
It is hoped the Atlantic Schooners will be the next CFL franchise and be based in Halifax. Without a stadium yet, it’s expected the Schooners could play their first couple of seasons in Moncton
After a nail-biting last few minutes in yesterday’s game, it was the Montreal Alouettes over the Toronto Argonauts 28-22.
This Touchdown Atlantic event marked the CFL’s return to Atlantic Canada for the first time since 2013.
