Mustangs to host Stampeders Spring Football Camp
From April 28 to 29, Pincher Creek Mustangs Football will host its annual Stampeders Spring Football Camp, for southern Alberta’s aspiring young players, at Matthew Halton football field.
Athletes from grades 3 to 11 are invited to register for the camp, where Tre Roberson and Derek Wiggan of the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders will run drills and teach the fundamentals of football.
Players will be divided into groups based on age and experience. Younger athletes will learn basic stances and how to catch and throw the ball. Bantams and senior-level players will focus more on learning various plays and the intricacies of the game.
Faith Zachar, president of the Mustangs, has been running camps such as these for about 25 years.
“These camps teach the kids about football, but it’s also a chance to build their confidence and make them understand that there are opportunities to get into the CFL or university football if they work hard and learn the game,” Faith says.
She notes Mustangs alumnus Cord Delinte as a prime example of a player using what he learned at camps like the one coming up to go on to greater opportunities.
Cord went on to have a great five-year football career, primarily as a defensive back, at the University of Regina. He received multiple all-star nods during his varsity career, and was even invited to the 2019 CFL Western Regional Combine.
Faith adds that kids will gain not just a greater understanding of football from the camp, but also bonds and life lessons that will follow them forever.
“I think football is vital to small communities,” she says. “The camaraderie, the teamwork and the friendships that these kids will develop are things that will stick with them the rest of their lives.”
The camp costs $75 per child for the full two days, or $50 if a child wishes to attend only one of the two days. Registration will be accepted right up to the day of the camp.
Each participating athlete is expected to take a water bottle, cleats and runners to the camp.
To preregister or for more information, you can contact Faith Zachar at 403-627-7751 or faithzachar@hotmail.com, or Shannon Schoening at 403-795-5710 or uc6ranch@gmail.com.