Gary Waterman says having Touchdown Atlantic in Halifax this coming season may boost the number of young people interested in football

Gary Waterman is the head coach of X-Men Football at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. He says having a CFL game in Halifax this coming season may boost the number of young people interested in the sport.

"The cities out West that have a CFL team, you can see that the numbers in terms of the liner kids and the kids playing football," Waterman tells NEWS 95.7's The Todd Veinotte Show.

After a regular season game was announced for Halifax on July 25, 2020, Waterman believes the excitement is already growing.

"I think there's going to be a lot of excitement and enthusiasm and a lot of energy in the place and in and around Nova Scotia and Halifax area," he says.

The X-Men coach says he expects the province would rally around a local team and support them.

"I'd like to think that once it's here they'll rally around it," says Waterman. "It's an entertainment opportunity and who doesn't like to be entertained?"

As a university-level coach, Waterman says he's always trying to grow the numbers of football players at every level.

"Adding a CFL team to the region would make a truly coast to coast league, and just only helps," he adds.

For youth in the province who are just starting out, Waterman says it will be a chance to get up close and personal with the sport at its highest level.

"It's right in front of their face, it's not just something they watch on T.V," he explains. "They can see a game, they aspire to maybe have an opportunity to be in that league one day."

Although the X-Men coach acknowledges that the American NFL is at a different level, he says the Canadian game has a lot of draw as well.

"The Canadian game, it's rich in tradition and history, it's just a fantastic game," he says.

Waterman says there's room in the football industry for both the NFL and the CFL to draw fans.

"Why can't we have both? Let's enjoy them both," he adds. "I think if you're a football enthusiast the more football the better."

The coach says he plans to attend the CFL regular season game when it does happen at SMU, but says that it's even more important for the youth who are seeing their heroes on the field. And for many youth, it may be the impetus for continuing in the sport, and having that goal of making it to the CFL.

"Who wouldn't want an opportunity to be able to hopefully make it to the highest level in your country, in your home community or your home province?" he asks. "I think most of the kids would love to play in front of their hometown."