Football players can look forward to tryouts not only for senior high school but also for kids 15 and under.
The Broncs high school bantam football team has just been voted in to the Central Football League (CFL) and tryouts begin May 6 at the Ponoka Secondary Campus (formerly Ponoka Composite High School) football field at 4 p.m.
“We’ve been accepted into the league,” said coach Scott MacGregor. He will head both the bantam and senior high school teams this year along with the other coaches.
Offensive co-ordinator Glen Kawahara was originally planned to be head coach for the feeder team but there have been some changes in his role as a teacher.
MacGregor is not worried about the change because he wants to integrate players’ training with the other coaches. “It’s kind of exciting to make a program over the duration of junior high and high school.”
Anyone in the age category can try out for the team though and he wants to involve players in all the training available from coaches. Players will train with their own teams and then offensive players will train with the offensive coach and same for the other positions.
MacGregor is also pleased to see Ponoka have its own feeder team as most of the communities in central Alberta have a junior program.
An exhibition game is scheduled for June 6 with Rimbey who has also started its own bantam team and players will be ready.
“We’re going to take the time to learn the fundamentals and safety first,” he said. “We’ve got a good month to learn the fundamentals before we cut them loose.”
The five year equipment contract with Cervus Equipment is something MacGregor is grateful for. “I’m thankful for Cervus for recognizing the opportunity to give back to the community.”
Players who have aged-out have approached the coach and offered their assistance to new players. He intends to make use of their experience. “I have a number of alumni that want to come back to coach…That’s huge.”
MacGregor reinforced an older shed to become the bantam team’s new dressing room with a new floor, tin roof and 36 stalls. This completes the dressing room for the players and gives them their own space before and after practice. Those coming to tryouts should bring water bottles and their healthcare cards.