For the second straight year, the Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team is having trouble filling out its roster as the season draws near.
After an underwhelming turnout at the team's spring camp, head coach Mark Schott said he's hoping to have upwards of 25 players for the first few days of training camp, with that number growing as the school year begins.
Training camp begins on Friday, with practice running from 4-6 p.m. following the second of two equipment handouts. Camp continues on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by daily sessions during the week.
Equipment will be distributed on Thursday in the team's locker room from 4-5 p.m., with another session on Friday from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
"Anybody that is planning to play football should come out and get properly fitted for equipment," said Schott, who noted that players need to pay a $200 equipment deposit and a $50 team fee, with the cheques payable to Parents of ECS Football.
Players that are hoping to play in the season opener (on Sept. 6 against the A.E. Peacock Tornadoes), they need to be at practice before school starts. It's very difficult to get a player into our first game if they don't show up at practice until school starts," said Schott.
Regardless, there is plenty of playing time available, even for those who have not played the sport before, he added.
"Anybody that's concerned that maybe they've never played football before and they don't think they're going to play, that's not the case. There's lots of opportunity," he said. "Hopefully football is something they will enjoy."
Players from Oxbow, Carnduff, Lampman and Carlyle are eligible to suit up for the Elecs, along with ECS students.
ECS has about 15 players eligible to return from last year, along with a group of graduates from the bantam Steelers, but Schott said it's tough to pinpoint exact numbers right now.
"We had some disappointing numbers at spring camp in terms of returning players, so there's a lot of uncertainty heading into the season regarding what our numbers will be and exactly what players will be returning. We have a good group coming up from the Steelers team from last year. With the numbers at spring camp, it's really tough to say what they're going to be."
The ECS football program has been building momentum since it began in 2009, highlighted by a 2011 season that included two regular season wins and a quarter-final victory, all coming against Swift Current.
But the club went winless last year, and Schott said it's tough to continue growing with a smaller roster than the other teams in the Moose Jaw High School Football League.
"It's difficult to have success on the field when the numbers are so low, because injuries happen and we just don't have the depth. A larger roster and more players would definitely produce a better product on the field. To grow the team we have, the numbers we need are a balanced group across grade levels to make sure we grow from year to year," he said.
The Elecs are also looking to round out their coaching staff.
"Football coaching experience isn't a requirement, but it's encouraged," Schott said.
Anyone interested is asked to contact the head coach at [email protected].
