Two local athletes have been chosen to play on the Under 14 Saskatchewan Selects football team. Andrew Kehler (13) and Lane Newell (12) played a regular season with the Estevan Chargers. Their second year of play, both youth love the game immensely. In fact Kehler's father, Eldon, exclaimed when Kehler was younger he carried a football around with him all the time.
They both found they enjoyed playing the sport on the playground at school and together with 11 other boys from Carlyle they were able to join the Estevan team.
Kehler played quarterback for the Estevan Chargers, but will be playing wide receiver for the Sask Selects team which is good because he enjoys scoring touchdowns. Newell will play on the offensive line, which is where he has been with the Chargers as well. Both boys enjoy taking part in different school sports; but, they are dedicated football players who are passionate about the game.
"I don't think any of them would give it up," Eldon Kehler stated in regards to the group of boys who played in Estevan, showing how much these youth love the game.
Tryouts for the Sask Selects team were held on Nov. 10 in Moose Jaw. The team is in fact centered out of Moose Jaw as it is somewhat central for a southern team with youth from Swift Current, Carlyle, Regina, and Yorkton to name a few. Out of a number of youth who tried out for the team 30 were chosen.
This team practices on an indoor field in Moose Jaw and is experiencing football in a slightly different way as they take on the rules and regulations of the NFL.
The team was formed for off season play, so as not to interfere with regular football schedules. With the Sask Selects team they will be playing in an international tournament on February 9th and 10th. They are the only Canadian team, possibly the first ever Canadian team in this category, to enter into the President's Day International Bowl. Teams from across North America including Canada, the United States, and Mexico will compete in San Antonio, Texas.
They are hopeful that next year in the fall the Sask Selects team will continue with travelling to either Ohio or Las Vegas for a follow up tournament depending how their team does in Texas.
Currently the boys are fundraising and approaching businesses about possible sponsorships. They are selling Super Bowl pool tickets as well as tickets for a roast beef dinner to be held on Feb. 2nd in Moose Jaw.
Football is definitely their passion as it has been a large time commitment on the part of themselves, their coaches, and their parents. They are dedicated to bettering themselves in the sport though and are eager to play. It is something they never want to give up.
For more information on fundraising efforts contact Marcy Ramage: marcy.ramage@sasktel.net.
