Dexter Mondor, head coach of the Moosomin Generals, is passionate about making football an inclusive sport for everyone, with a firm belief that football is not just for boys but also for girls.
Mondor is dedicated to ensuring that all players, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to participate and excel. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, discipline and confidence, values that he believes transcend gender.
Mondor began his coaching career at the age of 19, driven by a love for the game and a desire to mentor others. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a coach who fosters both skill development and personal growth in his players.
In 2012, the Moosomin Generals program began and Mondor became the head coach. They are part of the 11-team Rural Manitoba Football League.
At the time, Mondor said others felt a football program would not make it in the area, but they made the program work and it has been phenomenally successful since then.
Over the years, many kids from the southeast have joined the team and this year Tyson Brownridge from Kenosee Lake, and Hayden Miller and Liam Thompson from Carlyle have joined the ranks.
There are 84 kids on the teams, ranging from U12-U18, and includes an all-girls team that started in 2018 and is also coached by Mondor.
Mondor spends most of his time coaching, only having Wednesday nights off, but he does not mind as his kids also play the sport.
The facilities they have in Moosomin has a field with lights, change rooms for all and an excellent club program.
“It is sometimes a juggling act to get all the games in,” said Mondor.
It requires a great deal of driving as a lot of the games are four to five hours away.
For the past six years, the club has held a hat auction with all the proceeds going to the club. All the hats are sponsored, and a meal is donated. This year they raised over $17,000.
It is the club's hope that more youths will be encouraged to try football and contribute to the growth of the sport.
The teams are doing very well this year with Mondor as the coach, and they hope to finish on top.