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Canadian Junior Football League

Also found in: Acronyms.
"CJFL" redirects here. For the Canadian radio station, see CJFL-FM.
Canadian Junior Football League
Cjfl logo.jpg
SportCanadian football
Founded1974
CommissionerJim Pankovich
Motto"A Canadian Tradition Since 1883"
No. of teams18 teams, split into 3 conferences (each with 6 teams)
CountryCanada
Most recent
champion(s)		Saskatoon Hilltops
Official websiteCJFL.org

The Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) is a national semi-professional Canadian football league consisting of 18 teams playing in six provinces across Canada. The teams compete annually for the Canadian Bowl. Many CJFL players move on to professional football careers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and elsewhere.

Formed May 8, 1974, the CJFL's formal mission statement is: "The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends."

A handful of standout players are typically signed directly to CFL rosters each season, while U Sports permits up to two years of play in leagues such as the CJFL before a player begins to lose eligibility.

The 9-team Quebec Junior Football League was formerly part of the CJFL, but eventually withdrew and now operates independently. Meanwhile, The Ontario Football Conference (OFC) consists of two divisions: Varsity Division (ages 11 to 19) and Junior Division (ages 17 to 22).[1] While the Junior Division remains affiliated to the CJFL and its teams compete for the Canadian Bowl, the Varsity Division is operated solely by the OFC.[1]

Current teams

Ontario Football Conference

Team Location Stadium
GTA Grizzlies Toronto, Ontario Centennial Park Stadium
Hamilton Hurricanes Hamilton, Ontario Tim Hortons Field
London Beefeaters London, Ontario TD Stadium
Quinte Skyhawks[a] Belleville, Ontario Mary Ann Sills Park
Ottawa Sooners Ottawa, Ontario Keith Harris Stadium
St. Clair Fratmen Windsor, Ontario St. Clair College Sports Park

Prairie Football Conference

Team Location Stadium
Calgary Colts Calgary, Alberta McMahon Stadium
Edmonton Huskies Edmonton, Alberta Clarke Stadium
Edmonton Wildcats
Lethbridge Vipers[b] Lethbridge, Alberta Lethbridge Community Stadium
Regina Thunder Regina, Saskatchewan Mosaic Stadium
Saskatoon Hilltops Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Saskatoon Minor Football Field
Winnipeg Rifles Winnipeg, Manitoba IG Field

British Columbia Football Conference

Team Location Stadium
Kamloops Broncos Kamloops, British Columbia Hillside Stadium
Langley Rams Langley, British Columbia MacLeod Stadium
Okanagan Sun Kelowna, British Columbia Apple Bowl
Valley Huskers Chilliwack, British Columbia Exhibition Stadium
Vancouver Island Raiders Nanaimo, British Columbia Caledonia Park
Westshore Rebels Victoria, British Columbia Westhills Stadium
  1. ^ Starting play in 2021.[2]
  2. ^ Starting play in 2022.[3][4]

Defunct teams

Champions by city since 1947

Leader-Post Trophy, 1908-1973; Armadale Cup, 1974-1988; Canadian Bowl, 1989-present.

  • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Saskatoon Hilltops 22 times - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1985, 1978, 1969, 1968, 1959, 1958, 1953.
  • Regina, Saskatchewan - 17 times, Regina Rams 16 times, 2013, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1987, 1986, 1981, 1980, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1966; Regina Thunder 1 time, 2013.
  • Edmonton, Alberta - 8 times, Edmonton Huskies 2005, 2004, 1964, 1963, 1962; Edmonton Wildcats 1983, 1977, 1967.
  • Hamilton, Ontario - 5 times, Hamilton Hurricanes 1972; Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats 1951, 1950; Hamilton Jr. Wildcats 1949, 1948.
  • Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Sooners 4 times, 1992, 1984, 1979, 1974.
  • Nanaimo, British Columbia - Vancouver Island Raiders 3 times, 2009, 2008, 2006.
  • Windsor, Ontario - Windsor AKO Fratmen 3 times, 1999, 1954, 1952.
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba - Winnipeg Rods 3 times, 1961, 1956, 1955.
  • Kelowna, British Columbia - Okanagan Sun 2 times, 2000, 1988.
  • Calgary, Alberta - Calgary Colts 2 times, 1990, 1989.
  • Vancouver, British Columbia - 2 times, Renfrew Trojans 1982; Vancouver Blue Bombers 1947.
  • Montreal, Quebec - 2 times, Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs 1965; Montreal Rosemount Bombers 1960.
  • Toronto, Ontario - Toronto Parkdale Lions 1 time, 1957.

The national championship was contested from 1908-1946 with breaks for the World Wars and an additional break in the mid-1930s. In these years the championship was won by teams from Toronto (7 times), Montreal (6 times), Hamilton (4 times), Regina (2 times), and once each by Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Petrolia, St. Thomas, Woodstock, and London.

References

  1. ^ a b "OFC History". OFCVarsity.com. Ontario Football Conference. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  2. ^ Welcome Quinte Skyhawks: The CJFL expands in Ontario to its 18th team
  3. ^ "New Junior Football Club starting in Lethbridge". lethbridgenewsnow.com. Oct 8, 2020.
  4. ^ CJFL: Lethbridge Application submitted

External links

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