Players from the University of Regina Rams helped develop the game and confidence of local football players at a Sunday camp held May 27 at Broadview School.
The camp furthered the players’ understanding of the game and helped the minor and high school boys develop essential skills associated with the game of football.
Sixteen Grenfell Argos and seven Broadview Bandits were divided into groups and rotated through a series of stations which taught basic positional skills including throwing, receiving, tackling and stances.
“It’s a good way to get us all together because we both started new programs last year,” said Jeremy Hodgins, Grenfell Argos head coach. “What we’re doing with the younger guys is developing players for (the Bandits) down the road.”
The Sunday Camp was facilitated by six players and one coach from the University of Regina Rams.
“Having professionals come out just rekindles that flame and gets them fired up for the fall so when they come out they’re really ready to lay their boots to it,” said Chris Chudyk, Broadview Bandits head coach. “They have to have idols, someone to look up to and something to constantly aim for. That’s what initiates that drive to want to achieve and perform on the field.”
“The kids look up to them,” Hodgins said. “Everyone was gun shy at the beginning, but everybody kind of got over that fear and realized it’s fun and isn’t as scary as it’s cracked up to be. The more the camp went on the more comfortable they got.”
Brett Jones, offensive player for the Rams, said watching the development of minor football in his hometown of Weyburn encouraged him to get involved with the Argos and Bandits.
“Someone had to help us at some point,” he said during the camp. “It’s good to get out and help these smaller communities because they deserve it just as much as the bigger cities.”
“It’s cool to look at the grassroots of football that’s out of Broadview and just see how it’s going to develop over the years.”
Because minor and high school football was introduced to the region only one year ago, Hodgins said the majority of their players are still relatively green.
Despite the steep learning curve, Jones said starting the boys young is the best time to begin.
“The earlier you can start them, the more skills they’ll adopt and a greater understanding of the game they’ll have. Most people watch the game, watch the touchdowns, but don’t realize there’s so much more to it.”
The Rams made quite the impression said Hodgins and Chudyk, agreeing the camp motivated the players and got everyone excited for the upcoming season.
“A lot of the parents were in awe of seeing the (Rams) and so many of them, and the kids? They were absolutely enthralled,” said Chudyk. “It really built up the spirit for football.”
“The momentum is still building,” he added. “It’s no where near where it’s going to be.”
The Bandits will kickoff their 2012 season on Aug. 25 with their first exhibition game.
The Argos season will begin the first week of August with a training camp, and the boys will hit the field in their first game in mid-August.
The Argos are still recruiting players, age 13 and under as of Oct. 31, 2012.
For registration or for more information contact Hodgins at 306-533-1214 or email jlh2640@hotmail.com.
sunnews@sasktel.net
