Cochrane Minor Football is moving ahead with a modified format that will emphasize fitness and skill development while eliminating player-to-player contact and use of football equipment.

Whether that strategy changes will depend on when stage three of Alberta's relaunch of athletics occurs.

"We're going to start our season, but we're not going to issue equipment or do player-on-player contact," explains association vice-president Paul Vaillancourt.

Despite the change, there's ample opportunity for youth to enjoy the sport, enhance skills and fitness levels.

"After a general warmup and fitness, then we'll break down into positions and then each position will development on skill development using a number of different drills.Then we'll get together as offensive and defensive units, but there won't be any contact."

"We'll provide an outlet for the kids mentally and physically, and be smart about it."

They are also exploring the possibility of playing some flag football.

"You use the same skills, you just don't have tackles to the ground."

The peewee and bantam season will begin in the second week of August. The atom seasons begins on the third week of August.

Minor football will be closely following all the COIVD-19 health guidelines. That includes asking players a series of questions to track their health, families, cohorts and travel and tracking the information. They also be hygiene and sanitation products on hand for players, coaches and parents.

Under Alberta Health's stage 2 guidelines, youth must choose one sport for cohorting purposes. Athletes are not allowed to participate in football and hockey or any other large sport or social gathering.

If, for example, a player wants to play hockey, they must sit out for 14 days prior to starting the hockey season.

Fees have been reduced to $100. That covers the cost of Football Alberta insurance, field use and an increase in hygiene and sanitation products for our players, coaches and parents.