Joyce Kent was a remarkable woman. She may not have been a founding member of the Cambridge Minor Football Association, but she became the face of it.
In 1977, Cambridge was a four-team inner city league when Joyce began volunteering as secretary and treasurer. However, her duties spanned a great deal more as Joyce saw to acquiring the fields for games and practices, ordering jerseys and equipment (with help of sons Rick and Rod), keeping time for every game, and overseeing fundraising and promotions by hand-making posters and flyers and ensuring a weekly write-up in the local paper. Because Joyce did not drive, she took the bus or walked to the schools and stores where she would hand out the flyers and put up the posters, such was her commitment to CMFA. She held the secretary and treasurer positions on the board until retiring in 1990.
At one point, the entire Kent family became involved. Fred Kent kicked the first ball to start each season with his fellow councillor, Bill Struck, Rob and Chris played, brothers Rick and Rod coached rival teams, and Randy would referee. Joyce was always present to keep time and make sure the teams had everything they needed. Even Pam, Joyce’s daughter, helped in her own way. Joyce was a fan of many sports, but she truly loved the game of football and believed it to be essential to a young person’s growth.
Between her roles in the CMFA and her role at home as a mother taking care of her six children, Joyce had a lot on her plate. A testament to her dedication and organization, she made it to every game, where she could be found on the sidelines cheering. No cheerleading squad could outdo her and some would wait to have her lead them in the cheers.
Joyce’s steadfast commitment to football carried on to 2015 when she would attend her grandson’s games. She remained an enthusiastic spectator and still had a huge presence on the field, with such cheers as “just do it!” and “knock ’em on their apples!”
Joyce instilled in her children to always do their best, have guts and determination, never give up and always strive for more. If you are going to start something, finish it and do it well, she would say. Her son Chris says he carries his mother’s wisdom with him as a coach today. Joyce’s passion for helping young people thrive and succeed is why the Joyce Kent Memorial Scholarship means so much to the Kent family.
A fundraising Old School Dance with Juno nominated dance band Something Extra will be held on November 5, 2016 in Cambridge at the Knights of Columbus, 333 Speedsville Road to raise funds for the Joyce Kent Memorial Scholarship and for a local Hospice – Lisaard House. For tickets, contact Chris Kent at [email protected] or call Mark Adams at 519-241-0109.
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