Melissa Stolarz to direct MIFA women’s tackle program

The Mississauga Indoor/International Football/Fitness Association (MIFA) recently announced the new Director for MIFA Allstars women’s tackle football program. Melissa Stolarz was appointed as the Director at the start of April through a unanimous vote from the executive team at MIFA.

“Melissa has connected with this program immensely and has proven to us and made it clear to me that she will do whatever it takes to keep the first ever women’s team in Ontario involved in community and stronger than ever,” said Liston Bates, head coach of the women’s team.

Stolarz has been a volunteer of MIFA for the past three years as a voting member. Now as a director, she will be at the forefront of leading the program to new levels and opportunities.

“I’m excited to take on this role to support women in football. I don’t play or participate on the team, but I believe in this program and in the community oriented values that MIFA is based upon. This year I will work to have new sponsors on board, new opportunities to grow the sport provincially and internationally, and with the dedication of coaches, volunteers and players, to continue to build a strong core to work from,” Stolarz said.

“I look forward to my role and continuing discussions with governing bodies such as the CFL and Football Canada in hopes to have our athletes play for team Canada one day.”

Stolarz hopes to bring her background of community service work to her new role, including her experience volunteering on the Heritage Advisory Committee at the City of Mississauga, her role as chair of marketing for the National Newspaper Association and emceeing at various community events including Carassauga.

In addition, Stolarz has volunteered her time for the Oakville Marathon, Oakville Rangers Hockey Team and recently with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association.

MIFA Allstars has been noted as the first and only women’s tackle football team in all of Ontario and its unique program has helped women develop skills in learning and playing the sport.

“The startup process has been a fatiguing one for the past three years but we were able to build a core group of loyal players and I’m certain with the resources Melissa brings to the table, there is no doubt we will break even more barriers,” Bates said.

The team travels both provincially and internationally to compete and is continuously striving for more opportunities to grow the sport for women. For more information on MIFA, visit the club’s Instagram page.