New to the Mustangs?

Welcome

If you’re new to the Mustangs or Winnipeg, this page gives you a clear understanding of how youth football works in our province and where the Mustangs fit into the league.

Families arriving in Winnipeg often discover that football here is organized into a clear, well‑supported pathway that takes athletes from early childhood all the way to junior football. The St. Vital Mustangs have been around since 1948 and participate in every major league in this system, making it easy for new families to understand where their athlete fits and how they can grow.

This guide explains each league using a consistent structure so you can see how the Manitoba football ecosystem works — and how the Mustangs fit into it.

The Manitoba Football Pathway (Ages 4–23)

Football in Manitoba is governed by Football Manitoba, which oversees safety standards, coaching certification, league operations, and financial assistance programs such as KidSport, Jumpstart, Jordan’s Principle, and the Benevolence Fund.

The Mustangs participate in five key leagues:

  • First Down Football (ages 4–7) — non‑contact

  • MMFA - Manitoba Minor Football Association (ages 8–15) — youth tackle

  • MGFA - Manitoba Girls Football Association (ages 13-18) — girls‑only tackle

  • RMFL - Rural Manitoba Football League (ages 16-18) — competitive tackle

  • MMJFL - Manitoba Major Junior Football League (ages 18–23) — junior football

Season timing:

  • MGFA: May–June (spring)

  • All other leagues: August–October (fall)

First Down Football

Who it’s for

  • Boys and girls ages 4–7.

Style of play

  • Non‑contact, no equipment

  • Movement‑based skill development

  • Focus on fun, confidence, and basic athletic skills

  • Run by Football Manitoba

Season timing

  • August to late October (fall season)

How it fits into the pathway

  • First Down is the entry point for young athletes. It prepares them for tackle football by building coordination, balance, and familiarity with the sport.

Mustangs participation

  • The Mustangs run a First Down program every season, giving families a welcoming, low‑pressure introduction to football.

MMFA — Manitoba Minor Football Association

Who it’s for

  • Boys and girls ages 8–15.

Style of play

  • Full‑equipment tackle football

  • Age‑based divisions with modified rules for safety

  • Emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, and safe contact

Divisions

  • Cruncher (U10) — ages 8–9

  • Atom (U12) — ages 10–11

  • Pee Wee (U14) — ages 12–13

  • Bantam (U16) — ages 14–15

Season timing

  • August to late October (fall season).

How it fits into the pathway

  • MMFA is the core youth tackle league in Winnipeg. Most players spend 6–8 years here before moving into high school football, RMFL, or MGFA.

Mustangs participation

  • The Mustangs field teams in all four divisions, often with multiple teams per age group — a sign of strong community participation.

MGFA — Manitoba Girls Football Association

Who it’s for

  • Girls ages 13–18, depending on division.

Style of play

  • Girls‑only tackle football

  • Full equipment

  • Emphasis on skill development, confidence, and competitive play

  • A dedicated environment separate from co‑ed youth football

Divisions across Manitoba

  • Junior Girls (U15) — typically ages 13–15

  • Senior Girls (U19) — typically ages 15–18

Season timing

  • May and June — MGFA is a spring league, completely separate from the fall football season.

How it fits into the pathway

  • MGFA is the exclusive girls tackle league in Manitoba. Because it runs in the spring, many girls also play:

  • MMFA in the fall

  • WHSFL in high school

  • RMFL (if age‑eligible)

Girls may enter MGFA:

  • After First Down

  • After MMFA

  • Or with no prior football experience

Mustangs participation

  • The Mustangs currently field a Senior Girls team, competing against programs such as the Eagles, Falcons, and Nomads. MGFA is one of the fastest‑growing football pathways in the province.

RMFL — Rural Manitoba Football League

Who it’s for

  • Players ages 16–18 (boys and girls welcome, though participation is typically male‑dominated).

Style of play

  • Full‑contact tackle football

  • Larger rosters

  • High‑intensity competition

  • Teams from across Manitoba (urban + rural)

Season timing

  • August to late October (fall season).

How it fits into the pathway

  • RMFL is the bridge between MMFA/Bantam and junior football. It runs parallel to high school football (WHSFL), and many players participate in both.

Mustangs participation

  • The Mustangs compete in the RMFL and are consistently competitive, including a 2025 championship appearance decided by a single point.

MMJFL — Manitoba Major Junior Football League

Who it’s for

  • Young adults ages 18–23.

Style of play

  • Junior-level tackle football

  • High‑performance environment

  • Pre‑CJFL / pre‑CFL development

  • Full equipment, advanced schemes, and elevated competition

Season timing

  • August to late October (fall season).

How it fits into the pathway

  • Majors is the final stage of the Mustangs pathway. Players often progress from:

  • RMFL

  • WHSFL (high school)

  • Or directly from MMFA if they age up later

From Majors, athletes may advance to:

  • Winnipeg Rifles (CJFL)

  • University football

  • Football Manitoba High Performance

  • CFL opportunities

Mustangs participation

  • The Mustangs operate a Majors team — a rare offering among Winnipeg clubs and a major differentiator.

Final Note

If you’re new to the league or the city, you’re in good hands. The Mustangs community is welcoming, organized, and ready to help your family settle into football in Manitoba.