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Saskatchewan Roughriders Top CFLPA Team Report Cards

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have achieved notable recognition by receiving the highest evaluations in the Canadian Football League Players’ Association’s inaugural team report cards. This marks a significant moment as the CFL has sought to enhance transparency around team operations and player conditions.

In a comprehensive survey comprising 58 questions distributed to players in October, the Roughriders earned two “A” grades and five “B” grades across eight distinct categories. This survey involved participation from 495 players, highlighting a strong engagement within the league.

The assessment criteria encompassed various facets of team management, including football operations, administrative effectiveness, training and medical staff quality, equipment standards, family treatment provisions, nutritional offerings, team travel experiences, and training camp conditions. Saskatchewan excelled in football operations and management, but received a “D-plus” in diet and nutrition, indicating room for improvement in that area.

The grading system integrated multiple choice, rating, and open-ended questions, with scores reflecting various workplace conditions, such as facility quality and overall services provided to players.

Interestingly, the survey revealed that only two franchises received failing grades, both attributed to the Edmonton Elks, who scored an “F” in both nutrition and diet as well as during training camp.

In collaboration with Dr. Desmond McEwen, an assistant professor specializing in sport psychology at the University of British Columbia, the CFL Players’ Association has positioned this report card initiative as a tool for empowering players and establishing higher standards within the league. According to CFLPA president Solomon Elimimian, collecting players’ genuine feedback is instrumental in fostering a positive environment for all stakeholders in Canadian football.

The CFLPA aims to spotlight teams that serve as positive models while also identifying specific areas for improvement throughout the league. This initiative mirrors similar moves by the NFL Players’ Association, which published its first team report cards in 2023, providing insights into categories such as locker room conditions, training facilities, and family treatment.

Team Performances and Feedback

Other teams faring well in this evaluation included the Ottawa Redblacks, who received two “A” grades for their football operations and equipment. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers also achieved “A” grades in equipment and medical/training staffing, further illustrating a competitive landscape.

Notably, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who have consistently reached the Grey Cup, garnered four “B” grades. However, they faced criticisms related to travel accommodations, with one player expressing concerns about inadequate seating and overall comfort during away games.

The Toronto Argonauts, two-time Grey Cup champions in recent years, earned a “B” in several categories, but feedback suggested that medical support was lacking—particularly regarding the coordination of necessary surgeries and limited equipment availability.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats secured six “B” grades along with a “C” in football operations, illustrating a commendable overall performance. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Redblacks reported four “B” grades but faced critiques similar to those of their counterparts.

Montreal also performed commendably with “B” grades in key operational areas, yet they fell short in family treatment, which one player criticized for providing inadequate support and amenities on game days.

The report highlighted that the Edmonton Elks, B.C. Lions, and Calgary Stampeders were the only franchises to receive multiple “D” grades, emphasizing the competitive disparity within certain areas.

As Edmonton undergoes significant organizational changes, including new ownership and management, there are underlying hopes among players for improvements, particularly concerning food quality and general treatment of staff and families.

This report card exercise underscores the players’ voices in shaping the future of their teams and the league, serving not only as an evaluative tool but also as a catalyst for necessary reforms across the board.

Source
globalnews.ca