A sneak peek at the 2011 football schedule
The Quebec University Football League (QUFL) has released their 2011 after the conference’s coaches and athletic directors held their annual general meeting (AGM).
“I like the schedule,” says Stingers Head Coach Gerry McGrath, the former CFL kicker who will start his 12th season this fall. “I think it’s fair and that it will give every team a chance to compete equally.”
In addition to a season-opener against current champions, Laval’s Rouge et Or, the Stingers will play home-and-away series with the McGill Redmen and the Sherbrooke Vert & Or. In addition, Concordia hosts the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men from the Atlantic University Football Conference and the Montréal Carabins. The Stingers will travel to Lennoxville, Quebec, to play the Bishop’s Gaiters.
The nine-game schedule favours Concordia with an extra home game in 2011.
“It’s great to have five home games,” McGrath says. “I think our fans will enjoy some great matchups. I can’t wait for September.”
Also on the agenda at the AGM was Radio-Canada’s involvement with the QUFL. Although about 3,000 fans turn out to watch a game, many more are tuning in. Concordia’s Homecoming game versus Bishop’s last September drew an average of 117,000 viewers with a peak of 150,000. The Stingers game at Sherbrooke attracted an average of 95,000.
The league championship between the Laval Rouge et Or and Sherbrooke attracted 249,000 viewers, while the national championship game between Laval and the Calgary Dinos drew 535,000 fans on Radio-Canada.
Exact dates and times of the games as well as the TV schedule will be announced by the QUFL shortly. In the meantime the overview is listed below:
Weekend of September 3
Laval vs. Concordia
Weekend of September 10
Concordia @ Bishop’s
Weekend of September 17
St. Francis Xavier vs. Concordia
Weekend of September 24
Sherbrooke vs. Concordia
Weekend of October 1
Concordia @ Laval
Weekend of October 8
McGill vs. Concordia
Weekend of October 15
Concordia @ Sherbrooke
Weekend of October 22
Montréal vs. Concordia
Weekend of October 29
Concordia @ McGill
Related link:
• Concordia Stingers