Itís time to get back out on the gridiron.
Edwin Parr Compositeís Athabasca Pacers football team will hit the field for the annual spring camp in May. The camp gets underway with equipment fitting sessions on April 29-30 right after school, and workouts begin May 1.
Head coach Pete Burden hopes to have use of the EPC football field, but weather conditions may make that difficult. The Pacers will make use of as much of the school fields as they can.
ìYou donít want to get on the field too early, then you just wreck it for the fall,î explained Burden, noting they often stay to the perimeter and the end zone until later in May when the grass has fully grown.
The camp is open to students currently in Grades 8-11, all of whom will be eligible to suit up when the season begins in the fall. Though athletes can join the team in the fall, itís recommended they take part in the spring camp if possible, as they cover a lot of the basics of the game they donít have time for once the season starts.
Throughout the month of May, the team will practice three times a week; usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They will travel to Westlock for a jamboree on May 25.
The coach encourages anyone interested in or curious about football to come out for the fittings, as there is no cost to give the sport a try. Newcomers can get a few workouts under their belt before deciding whether or not to commit to the team.
Itís crucial that the Pacers start developing the players of tomorrow, as next seasonís team will boast a total of 17 graduates. Those long-serving Pacers will need to be replaced to keep the program strong, and the process can begin with new and younger players coming out for the spring camp.
ìWe really need to get some younger players to keep the program rolling,î noted the coach. ìThe (returning) boys are anxious to get going again, but we need to get some younger players to start grooming them to take over. Our big goal is to try and attract some new players.î
The camp costs $100 for those who join the team.
ìNo matter what size you are, thereís a place for you.î
