It’s almost time for the Athabasca Pacers to get back out on the gridiron.
The football club, comprised primarily of students from Edwin Parr Composite (though open to other local students) will get an early start on the 2012 season when training camp opens on Thursday night at EPC with equipment fitting (6 p.m.).
And once the young athletes get their equipment on, they’ll want to get comfortable in it, because they’ll be wearing it a lot.
The team will practice again Friday night from 6-9 p.m., followed by a full day of practice on Saturday. They’ll practice again on Sunday morning before heading to Edmonton to watch the Edmonton Wildcats of the Canadian Junior Football League in action. Then they’ll practice some more next week in preparation for their first exhibition game in Vegreville on Aug. 30.
They’ll be practicing continuously once school starts on Sept. 4, with their first game of the season set for Friday, Sept. 7, a home game against Westlock at 5 p.m.
It’s a demanding schedule, but the athletes are used to it by now, as is head coach Pete Burden, who is returning for his 11th year behind the bench.
One of the reasons the Pacers practice so much is that they have to make up for lost time. Burden notes that a lot of football programs start in the first grade, but this one begins in Grade 8. As a result, local players are starting at a disadvantage where experience is concerned.
In fact, though Grade 8 students can practice with the team, they are not able to play until they reach Grade 9.
“The game is complicated and it takes about a year to learn and understand it,” said the coach.
That said, the team is very welcoming of new players and Burden hopes to see some new faces at this week’s practices. Anyone with an interest in the game is invited to come out and give it a try, with no pressure to commit to the team unless they decide the sport is for them.
“If you like the game, great. But if it’s not for you, that’s good too. You never know if you like it until you try,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, you just need a love of the game.”
Burden has been involved with the team since the beginning, and has played a large part in creating the successful program that continues to thrive today. The Pacers have graduated a number of skilled young football players, including some that have gone on to play junior and/or university football.
“We’ve had pretty good success sending kids to the next level for a small town team,” he said.
But with only one player graduating last year, this year’s team looks very promising as it consists of a number of experienced players who will be coming back for another season.
“We have a few Grade 12 kids who have the opportunity to continue to play, so I’m hoping this is going to be a big year for them.”
The fees are $250 for each player (Grade 8 kids pay $100), which covers equipment, bus trips to and from the games and a hot meal after each game. Fees are not due until Sept. 5.
“You learn to play as a team which helps with discipline in other areas of life too, and it helps kids focus better in school.”
