by PAUL RAYNER

Canada’s annual football explosion, the Grey Cup, is a tremendous experience for the whole country. Fans, particularly those at the actual festivities, can enjoy the traditions and fun that go with the Canadian Football League championship. For those on the inside, it is more.

Former Boissevain resident Dena Clark was definitely an insider in the recent Grey Cup, held in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 20. Clark is the coach of the Labbatt Blue Lightning, the hometown Blue Bombers cheerleading squad. With responsibilities, and a seat inside the annual hurricane, she was able to see a side of the event few ever have a chance to.

“It is a huge undertaking,” Clark stated. “It takes probably close to 18 months of planning, and there are a number of different people handling different areas.”

Events like the Grey Cup seem automatic to the average fan, but so many areas have to be taken care of. Hospitality rooms must be booked, the parade planned, space found for different events like concerts and getting the bands are a part of the workload taken by the host staff and friends of the football club. That is beyond the actual game itself.

Clark herself was cheerleading team coordinator. Involving many areas, like arranging hotels and game day activities, it meant being responsible for much of the program for the cheerleading squads for each CFL team, who are always represented at the annual event. This was on top of the Blue Lighting specific responsibilities.

“On average myself, it was like having three jobs – my day job, Blue Lightning and coordinating things for the Grey Cup.”

She said the festivities got started the preceding Tuesday, when the Grey Cup itself was dropped off at the Forks by helicopter, with officials from the Bombers, as well as the premier and Winnipeg mayor in attendance. From there on, the events continue, reaching the peak with the Sunday night championship.

Her biggest event was the cheerleading event at McPhillips Street Station on the Friday evening, where all of the teams from coast to coast perform. Clark said it was a sell out, and it gives the ladies a certain amount of notoriety.

“The casino said it was the best event they ever put on,” she explained. “Because the players and teams who attend and are involved have strict schedules, the ladies are the closest most fans get to the experience. They become the faces of the CFL. We step in and fill a role for the league and the fans. It is the best time of the year for us. The ladies become celebrities.”

As well as the Cheer Extravaganza, the cheerleaders visit the different fan enclaves and of course participate in game day itself.

Although Clark, who has been with the Bombers cheerleaders since 1998 and coach since 2003, has attended Grey Cups in other cities, nothing compares to hosting.

“You are a little naïve going in, but this was my first time in this position. You don’t see the amount of work that goes in.”

This was the third time Winnipeg has hosted the event, the previous times in 1991 and 1998. Like those two years, the Bombers did not make the big game in their home town, any chance this year dying when they lost a heartbreaker in the Eastern semi-finals to Toronto. However, Clark said recent Grey Cup history shows the team who hosts one year wins the next.

“I think it bodes well for us in 2007.”

Although the game is big, won by the favoured BC Lions 25-14 over the Montreal Alouettes, Clark agrees with many saying the overall experience is bigger still.

“People from all ages and from all over North America come together. It has been compared to the Super Bowl, but that is more corporate based. The Grey Cup is more fan based. There are all ages dressed in all team colours.”

“It is difficult to communicate to other people,” she continued. “I was happy I had the opportunity to share with my family this event, what it is about and how much fun it is.”

Her father, Brian Clark, was one of the family members enjoying the 94th Grey Cup, attending not only the game, but also other events like the CFL awards.

“It was really nice to see the flavour of the whole day and the week,” he stated. “The game is just one part of it. There is so much surrounding it, such a festive atmosphere. It was a really interesting weekend.”

Dena Clark knows this very well.

“The Grey Cup is very unique,” she explained. “Everyone knows about it. There are parties around the country, but at the Cup itself is very special. You see so many fans of different teams, Rider fans and Bomber fans having a beer together. There is nothing else like it.”