With the increase of children in the Millwoods area through the 1990's and only one South Edmonton football team to play for, a few parents had a vision of starting their own football team for their children. The parents organized and through the help of fundraising and the generosity of local businesses began the process of building a team.
What would we name it? asked many. The two early favorites were the Millwoods Grizzlies or Millwoods Raptors as both seemed to be favorites among the kids. Votes were taken and the The Millwoods Grizzlies Minor Football Association became a registered not-for-profit society in 1996.
The club began operation that year with Peewee and Atom teams operating in the Sherwood Park Minor Football Association. Our Atom team won the Championship in its first year of existence beating the Sherwood Park Atom Team in a close game.
In 1997, the Sherwood Park and St. Albert leagues merged with the Edmonton District Bantam league to form the Capital District Minor Football Association. The Grizzlies operated Bantam and Peewee teams in the CDMFA that year.
In 1998 a few parents joined together to organize the off field activities for the Grizzlies. Fund raising and regular monthly board meetings started. The Bantams won the Consolation Cup that year.
In 1999 the Grizzlies added an Atom team and began to grow. Total registrations for the year were about 75 and while the Atoms did not score any points in the regular season, they did score first in the consolation final. The Peewees played in the Tier 2 final and the Bantams made steady progress.
The 2000 season saw considerable growth in registrations (115) and success. The Bantams finished 3rd in their division and the Peewees finished 4th. The Atoms tied two games and had lots of fun while steadily improving. The Peewee and Bantam team received new uniforms consisting of a two tone “Teal & White” jersey. The Atoms maintained the “Solid Teal” jersey.
The Atoms, Peewees & Bantams continued to make great strides both on and off the field. The Atoms lost the consolation final in overtime by 1 point while the Peewees and Bantams had over 500 seasons.
The Grizzlies saw their best year ever which would prove to be unforgettable. The Atom Grizzlies had a “perfect season” going 12-0 and winning the CDMFA & Provincial championship 6-0 over the West Edmonton Raiders. The Peewees had a winning season and lost a close game in the Tier II Championship game. The Bantams had a 7-3 season and captured the Tier II championship against the South Edmonton Chargers.
Coming off a successful 2002 season the Grizzlies needed to rebuild at the Atom and Bantam levels. Several Atoms moved up to the Peewee level while the Bantams were losing the core of the team to High School. The Peewees would continue were the Atoms left off the previous year going undefeated in regular season play. The West Edmonton Raiders had revenge on their minds beating the Peewees in the CDMFA league championship in a close game.
2004 saw an ever increasing number of registrations. The Millwoods Minor Football Association believes that kids should be playing football so due to the number of Peewee registrations the Association saw fit to add another Peewee team hence the Millwoods Maulers were born. The colors of this new team would be Red and Black. The Maulers finished the regular season with a 1 and 6 record and won their first play off game. It is the Associations mandate to add further Maulers teams at the Atom & Bantam level if the registrations warrant it, thus providing all children the chance to play this great game.
We introduced another addition to our Association. A second Atom team called the Maulers.
We grew yet again and had six teams which included the Midget Grizzlies.
We were looking forward to utilizing the artificial turf field that we have watched be developed through our last season.
The artificial turf field was open for use to the community.
We moved into the Bear Den 2.0 - a more permanent location within the Millwoods Pavilion at 7008-23 Ave.
The first season of the new Atom tackle program.
Another expansion to include a Flag Football program to start in the 2019 season.
Our goal is having fun.
CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP!
Grizzly Bear Den and Practice Field Location 7008-23 Avenue
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