Sundre Bisons salvage their season

The plug came close to being pulled on the Sundre Bisons community football team this year.

But despite a financial shortfall early in their season, a fundraising effort that followed succeeded in ensuring the squad could play in the Mountain View 9 Man Football Conference.

"Tyson (Dichrow) and the other coaches took it upon themselves and got the program up and running — good on them," said Don McCullough, who stepped down as head coach after last season.

With the continued economic downturn, sponsors that have traditionally been able to support the squad were unable to this year, said Garret Dichrow, former manager and father of head coach Tyson Dichrow.

Meanwhile, there were still more than a dozen players who wanted to gear up and hit the field, but without sponsors the cost to play per athlete jumps up to several hundred dollars, he said.

"Some volunteers and parents thought it would be good to make the effort to keep it going. They've raised a considerable amount of money and got the dues down to where they're reasonable."

Securing the necessary funds to ensure those who wanted to play could do so affordably "felt like an amazing relief," said Logan Dichrow, who co-manages the team with her brother Tyson as well as Ashleigh Carroll.

"We didn't think there would be a team at all," she told the Round Up during a phone interview from Calgary, where she is attending her fourth year of studies at university.

"It's such a relief the response and the support that we've got from the community."

A community kickstarter campaign had been launched with a goal of raising $5,000, which was the bare minimum needed to have a season this year. Courtesy of support from local organizations and businesses, that goal was not only met but actually broken, with more than $6,000 coming in to support the Bisons, she said.

So not only is this year now "going swimmingly", but the club is well poised moving ahead towards next season, which will be the team's 10th anniversary, she said.

Funding has been challenging to secure over the last couple of years, so receiving in excess of this year's goal was great and that extra boost will hopefully help to avoid another last-minute fundraising crunch next year, she said.

"Just knowing that the community does support the community football team was amazing."

Making available the option to play football is important for those athletes who are not involved in other major sports, as it not only helps to provide them with the chance to build a sense of community and sportsmanship but it also gives them an outlet and the opportunity to forge friendships, she said.

The Bisons have played three games to date, although one resulted in a friendly scrimmage in Innisfail after the Sundre team had to forfeit against the Cyclones for lack of players. The squad lost its first game 14-26 against the Strathmore Badgers early in September. They hosted the Bowden Blazers on Saturday afternoon and were defeated 42-14. Semi-finals begin on Oct. 29. Their next regular game will be played at home this Saturday afternoon against Didsbury.

Logan expressed her gratitude to the community for its support in getting the team going this year.

"We are incredibly excited — the players are all super excited."