After dryland training over winter, excitement is building as pre-season approaches for the Ponoka Broncs football teams.
"All winter, we've been meeting once a week for our Broncs dryland training," said head coach Todd Lewis.
"There is no equipment and it's no contact - it's all about building and developing the basics of football, understanding the skills and concepts, and the development of routines," he explained, adding the turnout for the sessions has been superb.
Most of the kids who have shown up each week are also new to the program.
"It's a great way for the kids to come and see if they like football, if they like the coaching, and to see who their potential teammates might be.
"They don't really look new anymore! They look like they have had a whole season of football. So when and if they do decide to come to our pre-season, they've already got a lot of experience. And that makes things a lot easier for them to transition into an actual season of football. That is really cool to see."
The final dryland session runs April 16, starting at 3:45 p.m. at 4900 - 54 St. (the gym in the old pink school).
"If there are any kids in the Ponoka area who have been on the fence about coming, they have one more day to check it out. It's free, and all they have to do is bring athletic shoes and clothing, and an item for the food bank which is optional," Lewis said.
"They have nothing to lose other than an hour and a half of their time - they might find they love what dryland has to offer, and then they would have a better idea of if they might want to come and try spring pre-season."
As to pre-season, which begins April 22, it's all about further prep for the regular season - in a number of key ways.
"It's a pretty sharp learning curve, so we like to have a six-week pre-season. It's like dryland, but it's a lot more structured with more equipment. It's kind of like a season in and of itself," said Lewis, adding that going through pre-season sets up players for success.
"it's really the start of the 2025 year as a whole. It's when the players have their first opportunity to come and get fitted for equipment, learn the basics of football skills, concepts, and the routines. We play full contact, but we ease the kids into it. We go incrementally until everyone is comfortable," he explained.
Following the weeks of training, there are two massive jamborees planned - one in Rocky Mountain House and another in Ponoka.
"The are essentially a tournament of controlled scrimmages. For many kids, it's their first chance to play competitive football," said Lewis.
"After the Rocky one, we host our own jamboree on June 7. This is the fourth year in a row we have done it, and last year it was not just a football day - it was a 'community' day. We had the Piston Poppers on scene, we had the community market, concesions, barbecues, fireworks - it was this big chaotic circus, and it was awesome," he added with a laugh.
"There will be 10 teams there - five bantam and five peewee - dozens of kids there and their parents, and hopefully a bunch from the community there to support kids playing football and to just a great Saturday," he said.
"There is so much potential this year - and we are following 2024 which was our strongest year in every category. We have a lot of kids returning, and a lot of kids with peewee experience who are coming onto the bantam team. There are so many possibilities."
Meanwhile, on the community end of things, Lewis said players will be heading out on April 14 for their annual spring clean-up around town.
"It's a chance to get the kids together wearing their jerseys, and it's an important team-builder. And it's also good for our new guys who haven't met our returning players. Most importantly, Ponoka supports our program so well.
"So it's a small token of our gratitude. It's something we can do to give back a little bit. I think it's also really important not just for the program, but for each individual player."
The team also helped out at the Brandt Agriculture Mow and Show on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Players were hired as event staff - carrying out various responsibilities for Brandt, which is one of their valued sponsors, said Lewis.
He added that ultimately, it's all part of an emphasis on building that strong sense of citizenship in the players.
"It's not just talking about citizenship, but 'doing' citizenship. Getting the kids out to these volunteer events, and they are surrounded by their brothers - it's fun. They also learn that giving back doesn't have to be a chore - it's something to actually look forward to."
