Dec 29, 2012 by Jason Spencer Mississauga News
Mississauga Indoor Football Association coordinator Liston Bates suited up for the fifth annual Holiday Food Drive exhibiton game last night at the Hershey Centre Sports Dome. – Staff photo by Jason Spencer
Players from the adult division of the Mississauga Indoor Football Association (MIFA) suited up to score a touchdown against hunger last night at the Hershey Centre Sports Dome.
The Holiday Food Drive, which was hosted by the MIFA’s Friday Night Lights division, entertained spectators with a full-tackle game, while collecting non-perishable food donations for St. Martin of Tours Church in Erin Mills.
MIFA league coordinator Liston Bates said that the fifth annual fundraiser also aimed to school people of all ages in the stands.
“This is a community event” said Bates. “We invited a lot of players and parents from our youth program to come out and see their coaches play the game that they’re teaching them.”
Bates, who played outside linebacker in the game, pointed out that MIFA has participants ranging from a 5-year-old girl in the flag football league to a grandfather. He added that football is an aggressive sport that can be played by anyone, so as long as it’s with respect.
“It just ties the youth in with the adult, which is our ideal job,” he said.
jspencer@mississauga.net