Vision & Mission 2019-2021
Vision:The CFLAA supports former CFL players, Canadian football, and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends..
Mission: Founded in 2008, the financially independent CFLAA supports Canadian football, former CFL players, and other communities of interest while fostering collaborative relationships with CFL stakeholders and others that enhance the well-being of our members and friends. Additionally, the CFLAA strives to unite all local CFL Alumni Associations and its membership of former players.
Background
Membership in the CFLAA is optional, unlike current players where membership in the CFL Players Association (CFLPA) is mandatory. We are a collective of former players who believe in the vision and mission of the CFLAA and of their local Alumni Associations. We currently have over 2,000 members across Canada and the United States.
We are also inviting any former coaches, trainers, executive, cheerleaders, etc. who have a vested interest in seeing our CFL grow even stronger in the Canadian sport landscape and to become an integral part of football on the global stage. We have recently formed a collaboration with the newly created Canadian Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization (CFCAO).
Financial support is provided by the CFL and the Board of Governors, and local Alumni Associations. Other revenue sources include donations, sponsorships, events, appearance fees, and licensing fees.
The CFLAA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of volunteer members of each local Alumni Association. The Board meets via teleconference monthly and face-to-face at our AGM during Grey Cup weekend. The day-to-day operations are managed by a paid executive director. Additionally, we have a supportive roster of adept contractors.
Philanthropy & Research
The CFLAA has collaborated with other not-for-profits to raise awareness and funds in mutual support of each other’s goals. These organizations include Never Alone Foundation (through the Never Alone Rose Project), Alzheimer’s Canada, Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, CFL Fans Fight Cancer, and Canadian Concussion Center.
We continue to be on the forefront in the study of long-term neurocognitive function in our work with Canadian Concussion Center, lead by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, with an advisory committee lead by Canada’s preeminent concussion doctor Dr. Charles Tator. To date we have had over 100 former players participate in several different studies with over 5 peer reviewed papers being published. Also, the first diagnosis of CTE was a former CFL Player, indigenous American, Jay Roberts (whose son Jed is a former player as well). There have been over 35 former players diagnosed with CTE at Toronto Western Hospital.
Ahead of recreational legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018, we took a lead amongst all professional sports to collaborate with MedReleaf/Aurora Cannabis in an observational study on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The purpose was to provide an alternative to the use of opioids for the treatment of pain. Although findings are awaiting publication, reviews indicate relief of anxiety/depression and sleep disorders.
We are supported by a Medicinal Advisory Board created by Global Public Affairs. GPA is represented by Darrell Dexter (former Premier Nova Scotia), Rod Elliot, Alanna Sokic, Ranjeev Dhillon (McCarthy Tétrault LLP), Dr. Blake Pearson, Jim Cimba LLB (Retired) and Jed Tommy (former CFL Player with Hamilton and Ottawa).
The primary beneficiary of our fundraising efforts is the CFL Alumni Support Fund (CFLASF). The CFLASF was created to help make a difference to alumni and their families by offering support to those experiencing financial challenges due to medical hardship.
The CFLAA is driven to find health and wellness solutions for its members to thrive and enjoy a full and dignified quality of life. Having played through the opioid crisis and living with post career injury symptoms earned through decades of collisions playing football too many of our members are suffering. The CFLAA cares deeply and it’s on our hearts to provide solutions for its members and humanity
The CFLASF has two plans:
Plan A (medical purposes) medical expenses not covered by insurance and Plan B (emergency/compassionate) for those who find themselves in immediate need of financial support due to circumstances We help CFLAA members who face such things as eviction, funeral expenses or other immediate needs and provide guidance on health and wellness solutions. Please visit our website for further details (www.cflaa.ca ).
CFL Alumni Association Board of Directors – President, Brett MacNeil, Winnipeg; Jim Cain VP, Ottawa; Secretary/Treasurer, Robert Bronk, Toronto; Jason Riley, Hamilton; J.T. Hay, Calgary; Rob Bresciani, Saskatchewan; Ian Mofford, Montreal; and Patrick Kabongo, Edmonton. Linda Wood Edwards, Governance
Hector Pothier, Founder, Chair, CFLASF Committee. Jed Tommy, CFLAA Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee.
Leo Ezerins, Founder/Executive Director
