The Sarnia Junior Football Association (SJFA) is an incorporated not for profit organization with its focus on developing youth football skills and youth character through the sport of football. Our executive board is comprised of a president, vice-president, secretary, director of communications and a treasurer with a significant level of experience from each board member specific to their roles and responsibilities. The SJFA also has a lawyer on retainer and volunteers to help fill the roles of coach development, mental wellness, special events, photographer, athletic development, medical and facility bookings to name a few.

Keeping in line with the development of players, SJFA is a strong proponent of developing coaches to help them reach their highest potential. Through skill, leadership and interpersonal communication training we aim to develop our coaches to remain with our Association for as long as possible. All coaches take training through the NCCP program and are active members of Coaching Canada for professional development. The SJFA also offers assistance for additional training for coaches to attend conferences, seminars and through other training organizations.

We feel strongly that parent participation in their athlete’s development is a key piece to their athlete’s success. One of SJFA’s goals is for parent inclusion to ensure we not only help parents understand the game better but also to allow them to contribute to their athletes development through consistent messaging to their athletes. We have very experienced board members, coaches and volunteers that are well connected within the football community with strong connections to recruiting. The SJFA provides additional pathways for players presenting them with college level recruiting on an ongoing basis.

The SJFA actively seeks ways to support and assist other youth organizations within our community. Through a collaborative effort we aim to improve the face of football and other sports within our community. The SJFA gives back to the community through volunteering for fundraising activities throughout the year to assist other clubs and organizations in achieving their goals. A large fundraising campaign currently being discussed is to host events using SJFA members to raise funds and assist local high school football programs build and develop junior football programs. High school junior football programs that were once thriving are no longer in existence in our area.

Most local high schools no longer have a junior team or must travel long distances to compete in exhibition games. Through fundraising activities with financial donations to these programs the junior football program may one day be strong again in our area.