A group of mothers whose sons’ university careers were thrown into disarray by the sudden cancellation of Simon Fraser University’s football program have organized to bring a “women’s lens” into the campaign to save the team.

SFU Football Mom Squad is now active social mediapresents a perspective on the values ​​of football and the role it plays in supporting the university’s core values ​​of inclusion, equality and diversity.

In an interview with CBC, a spokesperson for the group also suggested that gender bias by female leaders at SFU may have played a part in the decision to stop the male-dominated sport.

Launa Kremler, a mother of three sons who plays for SFU, told CBC as women who are familiar with the game, they often encounter women with misconceptions about the sport.

“I think there are a lot of women out there who can watch a game and make assumptions about its potential brutality, or that it’s a men’s only sport, and then feel like it’s something they can ignore because it’s quote-un-quote. ancient or patriarchal, said Kremler.

“So yes, from the mother’s team, there is definitely a suspicion that there are decisions made by the women’s administration that do not consider the perspective of women in sport.”

In a statement emailed to CBC, the SFU said: “The suggestion that the decision was influenced by gender bias is not only wrong but also inappropriate.

The decision to discontinue SFU’s varsity football program was about not having an appropriate venue to play in varsity football and was made by SFU’s executive team after reviewing all available facts. The executive team consists of three men, three women and the president.”

On April 4, SFU president Joy Johnson announced that the program had been eliminated in a statement citing “ongoing uncertainty” caused by the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference announcing the retirement of SFU football following the completion of the 2023 season.

The same day, SFU senior athletic director Theresa Hanson told players the decision was not financially motivated and called the process of entering another conference “incredibly complicated”.

The announcement shocked players and supporters alike who sharply criticized the administrator for dropping the 57-year-old program one season before his NCAA deal expired and questioned why no attempt had been made to sign up for other conferences such as Canada West.

Kremler says SFU administrators can avoid backlash with a more transparent process.

“The real reason I believe there is an uproar about this is because there has been no consultation. There has been no talk with key stakeholders,” he said.

According to Kremler, the mothers squad includes members who identify as single parents, Latino, LGBTQ+, First Nations, and Black Americans.

“We decided our group was a really good piece in terms of demographic representation, and maybe our voices together as a collective, passionate, strong, and professional women’s voice could add another view of the importance of the football team in SFU for another strong group of women.” and excited,” he said.

The SFU Football Alumni Association met with Johnson and school officials to present a roadmap for keeping the team in play in 2024 which includes an 80 to 90 player roster, funding plans, and a nine-game exhibition schedule consisting of four games against US collegiate teams. and five against a Canadian varsity team, including reigning champion USport Laval.

Last week’s initial pledge drive wagered by BC Lions owner Amar Doman raised more than $700,000 for the program, while 11 former SFU star players, including BC Lions legend Lui Passaglia, have demanded removal from the SFU Sports Hall of Fame until the program is reinstated.

An injunction petition filed by five SFU players claiming breach of contract against the university is being heard May 1 in BC Supreme Court. If successful, a court may order the program reinstated.