Aug 18, 2016 by Iain Colpitts Mississauga News
The MIFA All-Stars are hosting a split squad of American and Mexican players in an International Bowl football game Sept. 3 at Bronte Athletic Park in Oakville. – Supplied photo
Liston Bates and the rest of the Mississauga Indoor Football Association (MIFA) All-Stars were given the royal treatment as soon as they stepped off the bus in Cancun back in May.
During their stay in Mexico as part of a game against the LEXFA All-Stars, a squad of the host country’s finest, Bates said the hosts went well out of their way to make the first game in the international series a success.
For starters, the LEXFA squad made the long trek from Mexico City so that their visitors could enjoy the comforts of a resort-like setting in Cancun.
“For them to come to Cancun is like us going to Winnipeg,” said Bates, MIFA program coordinator and linebacker/defensive coordinator for the MIFA All-Stars.
“We got there and there were hundreds of kids lining up to get pictures and autographs … We felt like pros coming off that bus.”
Because of the reception they received in Mexico, Bates is looking forward to returning the favour when some of the Mexicans accompany a team from the United States for the Canadian instalment of the International Bowl on Sept. 3 at Bronte Athletic Park in Oakville.
While the game is being played in Oakville, the visitors will be staying in Mississauga and two events surrounding the game itself will be held in the city.
“I want Mississauga over those three days to represent Canada for them,” said Bates, who owns and plays for the Northern Football Conference’s Oakville Longhorns, who play their home games out of Bronte.
“For some of them, it’s their first time entering Canada and I want Mississauga to be where they think of coming in the future.”
While the American/Mexican squad is still being finalized, there will likely be several players who have played NCAA Division I football and possibly a few former NFLers.
Meanwhile, the Canadian squad has produced its share of talent as well. Last month, star receiver Archelaus Jack signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders while quarterback Graham Kelly is off to Mount Allison University in New Brunswick next year.
MIFA hopes to reach out to other countries for similar exchanges in the future and Bates said Colombia and Brazil are building similar programs with LEXFA.
For now, Bates is thrilled with the relationship they have with LEXFA. MIFA recently started up a women’s international team that he hopes will eventually be able to participate in the MIFA-LEXFA series one day.
“It’s early in the conversation, but that’s how our women’s team was started,” Bates said. “We want to bring them there and a (junior varsity) team there. We want to carry four or five teams across the border to play each other yearly.”
Tickets to the game will be available at a press conference on Sept. 2 at TEN Wine Bar (139 Lakeshore Rd. E).
On Sept. 4, the festivities will conclude with the MIFA Family Barbecue at Erindale Park.
For more information, visit MIFA Football on Facebook or email listonb@listonslyric.com.