Fifteen-year-old line backer, Logan Mainil, son of Mike and CJ Mainil, recently competed as part of the Under 16 league for Team Saskatchewan at the Red River Cup in Winnipeg. They were undefeated in all three games, the team took the Cup and each player received a gold medal.
Considering they only had a few short days to prepare for the games in Winnipeg, CJ Mainil said the team 'gelled.'
"It was the coaching that brought us together," said Logan. "We bonded very well, considering that we had so little time together."
Indeed, a well-bonded team plays well on the field.
"It was phenomenal," said CJ. "It was so awesome to watch them."
Logan's family encouraged him to try out and once he made the team, he trained and prepared himself physically. When he encountered the Team Saskatchewan coaches, he also learned to prepare himself psychologically and spiritually.
One leader in particular, Rob Hartman, had the most profound impact on the boys' experience.
Hartman, who was originally from California, runs a group home in Regina. Logan said Hartman gave the boys a talk about 'football and what it is like to be a man'. He challenged the players by using his group home experience to provide them with some perspective.
"These kids think they have it so rough, but some boys don't have fathers or even homes," said Logan, adding that not everyone has the same opportunities, let alone the physical ability to play football.
"It's true that to be strong is important," he said, "but what it really takes, to be a man, is to give back to people."
Logan said that compared to the intensity of the training camp, the games were a breeze, because he had learned to focus on the moment.
"We had the thought that, 'this is our moment, live in it, enjoy it'," he said.
Having reached the end of his time playing in the Weyburn Minor Football Association, Logan said he is determined to play for the Eagles when he begins Grade 10 at the Weyburn Comprehensive School this fall.
Logan's strategy for making the high school team includes some of the grounded greatness he learned from being part of Team Saskatchewan.
"I need to stay humble, keep learning and play the best I can," he said.
The Red River Cup Championship took place on July 3, 4 and 5 in Winnipeg. Next year, Mainil plans to try out for the Under 18 class of Team Saskatchewan.
