The new Grenfell football team, the Argos, have officially hit the field, holding their first practice on Wednesday, August 3 at the Grenfell High Community School field.
There are a total of 32 registered boys: 19 from Grenfell, two from Broadview, 3 from Lemberg/Neudorf, 5 from Wolseley and three from Ochapowace First Nation.
Coach Jeremy Hodgins spent months recruiting enough players to qualify for affiliation with the Regina Minor Football League. Hodgins coached in Regina for seven years before moving to Grenfell in 2008.
“It’s going great. I missed coaching, and the kids are really buying into what we are selling,” Hodgins said. “The talent level is phenomenal here – we’ve just got to piece it all together now.”
Hodgins has since been joined by fellow coaches Brent Neuls, Kyle Anderson, Jay Wilson and Manager Karen Souchotte.
There are also seven other coaches from Regina, and one more from Grenfell, who help out periodically.
One of the challenges for Hodgins has been getting the boys up to speed on the basics of the game, as some of them are starting from scratch.
“Some teams this age have already played and have learned the basic fundamentals,” Hodgins said.
He noticed right from the beginning, however, that the boys have a knack for the game.
“The majority of kids here have a natural ability that can’t be taught,” he added.
He and his fellow coaches are still working on getting the team together, and figuring out how to best utilize each individual’s skills and abilities.
“We are working very hard on finding the right position which best suits each boy, and are currently installing offensive and defensive play books.”
The football season will span from August to October, with about one game per week, the majority of the games taking place over the weekends at Leibel field in Regina.
Practices are held several times a week, including today and tomorrow from 6-8, at the Grenfell High Community School field.
