Manitoba Selects In-Season Team — FAQ
About the Program
What is the Manitoba Selects In-Season Team? The Manitoba Selects In-Season Team is a year-round competitive football program for athletes aged 10–14. We travel across North America competing in premier tournaments while documenting every step of each athlete's transformation. This isn't just football — it's a confidence-building program that develops the mental toughness elite athletes need to succeed at the next level.
What's the difference between Developmental and Competitive programming? Our Developmental programming is fair-play focused — it emphasizes mutual respect, foundational skills, and growth in a supportive environment. Our Competitive programming is by selection only. Players who demonstrate readiness in Developmental are chosen for exclusive competitive opportunities, including travel tournaments across the United States. It's a progression, not a replacement.
The Schedule
Where are you competing this season? We have a full national and international circuit this season:
- Late May — Grand Forks, North Dakota
- June — California (hosting the first-ever international youth football game in Manitoba history)
- Early August — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Late August — Winnipeg (hosting a visiting Minnesota team)
- Labor Day Weekend — Bloomington, Minnesota
- Late October — Des Moines, Iowa
- November — Grand Forks Showcase
- Late November — Las Vegas (American Thanksgiving)
- December — Grand Forks Exhibition Game
- January — Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
- February — Possible Florida, Texas, or Mexico trip
Does my child have to attend every tournament? No. Families choose which tournaments work for their schedule. We recommend committing to as many as possible for maximum development, but we understand life happens.
Travel & Safety
How does travel work? Families are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations. We coordinate group hotel blocks at each tournament location so families can stay together if they choose. The expectation is that a parent travels with their child and supervises them during the trip. For families where that isn't possible, we offer a supervised chaperone option for an additional fee.
Who supervises the kids during travel? Our coaching staff is present at every tournament. In most cases, parents travel with their child and are responsible for supervision — this is the standard expectation. For families where a parent cannot attend, we offer a chaperone option for an additional fee. Athletes in the chaperone program are grouped four players per room to keep accommodation costs manageable while ensuring every athlete is properly supervised and accounted for.
Is there a chaperone option if I can't travel with my child? Yes. If you're unable to attend a tournament, your athlete can travel under our supervised chaperone program for an additional fee. Players are grouped four to a room to keep costs low. Our chaperones maintain direct communication with parents throughout the entire trip — you'll always know where your child is and how they're doing.
Is it safe for my child to travel to the United States? Absolutely. We have extensive experience running cross-border travel with youth athletes. All tournaments are held at reputable, well-organized facilities. Our staff travels with the team and maintains direct communication with parents throughout every trip. Your child's safety is our first priority — always.
What documents does my child need to travel to the US? Canadian citizens under 16 can cross the US border with a valid Canadian passport or a birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID for a parent. We strongly recommend a passport for all players. We'll provide a detailed travel checklist well in advance of every trip so your family is fully prepared.
What happens if my child gets injured during a tournament? All players are required to have valid health insurance. We have certified staff present at tournaments and follow established emergency protocols. Parents are contacted immediately in the event of any injury, and we work with tournament medical staff to ensure your child receives proper care.