Battle on the Prairies’ draws international teams to Moose Jaw

The top Saskatchewan players are taking part in indoor football matchups against teams from across North America. Damian Smith reports.

The annual “Battle on the Prairies” football tournament returned to the Yara Centre in Moose Jaw on Thursday, drawing 24 teams from four age groups across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Hosted by the Saskatchewan Selects Football Club, the winter tournament has grown steadily over the years, attracting an increasing number of teams from across North America.

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“They’re all having a great time, and it’s a chance to play football indoors and develop,” said tournament director Zeljko Stefanovic said. “At the end of the day, it’s about safety, learning and development.”

The program began in 2010 with just 35 players. In 2018, the event featured a single game between Saskatchewan and Manitoba, before expanding in 2019 to include international competition. Stefanovic said that expansion began after he met Mauricio Ordonez at a tournament in San Antonio, Texas. Ordonez now leads the Monterrey Fuego, which brought four teams to Moose Jaw this weekend.

The tournament offers young athletes an opportunity to gain experience against international competition, while for teams from Mexico, it also provides a rare introduction to winter on the Canadian Prairies.

Nick Anderson, an American-born linebacker with the Edmonton Elks, said the event is valuable for player development and exposure. After completing his second season in the CFL, Anderson spent the off-season working as a defensive coordinator with a varsity program.

“This tournament really shows how football gives kids opportunities,” Anderson said. “Playing against talent from the U.S., Mexico and Canada allows players to measure themselves and add new elements to their game.”

Local players also welcomed the chance to compete against teams with different styles of play. Saskatchewan Selects Black 14U offensive lineman Edin Mahmutovic said the tournament highlights how far the sport can reach.

“American football is more aggressive and faster,” Mahmutovic said. “For me, the best part of football is just getting to hit people.”

The tournament is expected to expand again next year, with plans to increase the schedule from four days to six. Teams from Fresno, California, have already expressed interest in attending.