After an online spring camp, the Ponoka bantam Broncs football team will be hosting an outdoor summer camp.
After COVID-19 restrictions led to the cancellation of the team’s spring camp, head coach Todd Lewis started an online version that lasted a couple of weeks.
However, with the creation of cohorts up to 50 people and the move of sports to the relaunch’s phase II, a two-week summer camp has become possible.
“The reasoning for the two-week window was that we didn’t want to eat up too much of a family’s summer. We also didn’t want it too close to the actual season that starts in late August,” Lewis said.
“Football Alberta worked hard to ensure the kids’ safety and part of that is also limiting the amount of playing time within a year, something the two-week camp is in accordance with.
“It’s a relief, since we don’t have a peewee team yet and we depend on our spring camp to teach players the basics so we can be competitive. I was worried we were not going to have any training and possible miss out on the season.”
The camp is set to run July 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to noon each day, with the potential of an exhibition game with Lacombe on July 15.
Meanwhile, the virtual camp has gone better that Lewis anticipated with more than 20 players tuning in via Zoom.
“We have had Chalk Talk meetings where we discuss rules, offence, defence, positions, plays and more,” he said.
We also were excited to have Jared Bussiere, a Broncs alum and current University of Alberta Golden Bears player, and Edmonton Eskimos Tanner Green on June 23, who grew up in Lacombe and had a wealth of experience to share.”
Lewis added he isn’t sure if the online camp will continue, “but if the kids are willing, I’d be happy to do it through the summer.”
Meanwhile, Football Alberta is working on developing guidelines for a return to league play for community teams this fall. High school teams however, must wait for the Alberta Schools Athletic Association and school boards to determine if they will be able to play this coming season.