The Yorkton Gridders had a great season in 2010, with a record of 6-2, bringing Yorkton the first home playoff game since the '80s. Coach Jason Farrell is getting the team ready for the start of the season on August 21.
Farrell says that the team is young this year, but that with youth comes opportunity for growth.
"It's our third practice this year, and there's already a sizable difference, we have kids with a real appetite to play football," Farrell says.
While the team is young, there are some more experienced players, with two players being with the team for three years and three being there for two. Farrell says that the experienced kids are an asset to the team, both in skill and the leadership they provide to the new crop of players.
"It's just a reminder of how much these kids learn during the season. The difference between the experienced kids and the kids in their first year is sizable. That said, those new kids will be there in a hurry," Farrell says.
The season begins in August 21 in Regina. Farrell says that until then, the team is going to be focused on the fundamentals of the game.
"In this league, you have to be able to block really well, tackle really well, and block really well. It's the fundamentals, if you can do those three things very well you can have some success," he explains.
Credit for the team's success must go to the coaching staff, Farrell says, and he says that the staff has been vital in getting the kids to grow and improve at the sport.
"What I learned very early is that, like everything else in life, you can't do it alone. We just had too few coaches the first year, we had more and experienced coaches the second year. I've got six assistant coaches this year, we've got people to follow these kids, to council these kids, and to critique these kids. If you don't have enough people, you just don't have enough eyes."
The city has much to look forward to in minor football, Farrell says. On two Saturdays this year, there will be four games, with the addition of Atom and Bantam teams on top of the high school and Pee Wee teams.
"When you're in Grade 4 right until Grade 12 you can play 12 man football now, so it's pretty exciting times... The plan is to have the best football program in the province, and we're well on our way there," concludes.
