Estevan Minor Football wrapped up the first week of its four-week spring training camp on Wednesday night.
Chris Bayerle, head coach of both the Bolts and the Elecs, said the camp plays a key role in easing younger players into the program.
The Estevan Viragos, were also on the field for spring camp, participating in drills and training sessions alongside the boys’ teams.
“We use it to onboard and orientate Grade 7 and 8 students so they’re not quite as anxious when they come up to the high school level,” Bayerle said. “The physicality of that jump is tremendous for the kids.”
Bayerle said older high school athletes can be 6 ft 6 and weigh up to 300 pounds, which can be a shock for younger players who are still growing.
The camp gives younger athletes the opportunity to get familiar with those physical expectations and work closely with the coaching staff.
“We cover all the bases. We do some fundamental stuff. We combine, which is great for everybody to kind of see what their numbers are,” Bayerle said.
“They just kind of get all the rust off of them. Even on combine day Monday, somebody was throwing up, and it’s like, oh boy — we have some work to do.”
Four new coaches have joined the program so far, with a couple more trying it out during the camp.
“We start orienting new coaches, and coaches who are looking at trying to help out at both the high school and minor level,” said Bayerle.
“It’s hard enough even recruiting enough kids sometimes, just due to the capacity of our area being limited. And then never mind trying to find a specialist or guys who have football experience to help out.”
He added that coaching is a significant time commitment, which can make it challenging to find long-term help.
Spring is a busy time for youth sports in southeast Saskatchewan, with many athletes already committed to other teams. Still, Estevan Minor Football continues to run a variety of off-season development opportunities.
Last year’s focus was a mental health clinic in partnership with Prairie Pathways Services. On May 17, they’ll collaborate with the Sask Selects offensive staff, including former CFL player Matt Sheridan.
“This year, the big focus for us after last year’s season was trying to produce as many points as possible and see what the guys can do with it,” Bayerle said.
He said the camp is a good chance for players to get a feel for the staff and expectations.
“It’s really a benefit for the kids to get a sense of the staff they’re coaching with, and then some of the expectations and speed. It’s not an overly physically demanding time. It’s really just get yourself right and kind of get your head set for football.”
Over the past five years, the organization has been working to grow the sport locally.
“Just after the COVID era, it was really about getting the kids out. That was the ask from parents and some of the organizational guys,” said Bayerle.
The program ran nine-man football for years, competing against teams like Moosomin and Esterhazy. But interest grew, and more teams began to join, including Weyburn.
Bayerle said they’re hopeful the spring camp and increased coaching staff will continue to build momentum heading into the fall.