The Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs football team is encouraging players from Estevan and surrounding communities to participate in their spring camp from May 8 to 12.
Head coach Mark Schott said the camp will allow the team’s coaches to see what the new players are capable of, and where they fit in. Drills and instructional sessions will take place each day at the school’s practice facility.
Returning players will also be participating in the camp.
The Elecs coaches will be placing an emphasis on tackling during camp. They have bought some new equipment, and they have come up with a plan to implement some new tackling techniques.
“That’s been a little bit of an issue for us in the last couple of years, so we’re going to change how we go about it, and hopefully that will lead to some better tackling results on the field,” said Schott.
If enough players show up for camp, then the team will have a Blue and White intersquad game to wrap up camp on May 12.
“The players get excited about that, with the opportunity to have a competitive game against one another, and it also gives players a chance to try out some different positions, because we’re going to field two teams, or two groupings of players to play against each other,” said Schott.
Schott believes there were 17 or 18 players who will graduate from last year’s team. The squad had about 30 players for most games last year, so more than half of the team won’t be back when the season begins this fall.
Several key players are among those who will graduate, he said.
“There are some big holes to fill, but there are lots of young players who have expressed an interest,” said Schott. “We’re looking forward to having them out on the field and seeing what they can do.”
Ideally he would like to have 35 to 40 players for the team. In recent years, the club has had 25 to 30 players, which makes it tough to assemble a team when they’re facing opponents with at least 40 players.
“It’s tough to maintain that competitive edge, and be fresh for four quarters when we’re around that 25-player range,” said Schott.
Anybody who is currently in Grades 8 to 11 is eligible to play for the Elecs next season. They will also accept students who are in rural communities, or who are enrolled in the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s Cyber Stone Virtual School.
“We’d love to have players from those schools come out for our team,” said Schott. “There’s no tryouts. If they want to play football, they’re on the team.”
Anyone who wants further information can contact Schott at [email protected].
