Former CFL offensive lineman Matt Sheridan helped deliver a successful two-day football development camp in southeast Saskatchewan, aiming to sharpen skills and boost coaching know-how in rural communities.
“In Weyburn, we focused on practice planning and basic injury management. Estevan was more offensive line-heavy, because that’s what coaches asked for,” Sheridan said. He noted the camps were tailored to the specific needs of each community.
The goal, he said, was to provide coaches with tools they can use to better prepare athletes for the next level, particularly in rural areas where resources may be limited.
The camps had a decent turnout with eight of the players participating in both camps, and Sheridan said the improvement in their performance from one day to the next was “demonstrably better.”
“What I enjoy most is helping young athletes build mental toughness, showing them it’s OK to fail, and that failure is the best teacher,” he said. “We want to foster a mindset where they’re not afraid to make mistakes.”
Despite competing with the May long weekend and other sports, Sheridan said the turnout and engagement made the camps worthwhile. He credited longtime supporters, including Ryan Maloney, Rob Umbach, Pat Ford and Chris Bayerle for helping the events run smoothly.
“It was great to work with the kids, but also just as important to work with the coaches,” he said. “Better coaches make better players.”
Bayerle, one of the local coaches who helped lead the Estevan sessions, said the camp was designed to benefit everyone involved, from seasoned staff to first-time players.
“On the coaching side, it was super beneficial,” Bayerle said. “There’s a lot of vindication and then a lot of reality that gets brought in from next-level coaches.”
He said bringing in outside expertise can confirm when a program is on the right track or help steer it back.
“Sometimes you get a nice smack in the face and be like, ‘OK, you know what? We were close,’ or, ‘We were so far away from what we should have been doing.’”
The Estevan camp mixed players of varying ages and skill levels, creating a unique learning environment. Bayerle said it was valuable for younger athletes to watch older, more experienced players run through the same drills and sometimes struggle.
“You get to see kids at the highest level, biggest body, struggle with the same drills the little guys are doing,” he said. “So not only is it humbling, but everyone gets learning experiences across the board.”
He said the goal was to give every participant something to build on, regardless of position or experience.
“Some of these kids aren’t even offensive players, but they’re in there, they learn the fundamentals, they appreciate it,” Bayerle said. “And then as they advance off that quickly, it also gives the coaches a really good time to adapt, identify and be like, ‘Hey man, that kid’s looking pretty good. Maybe he’s got an opportunity that we should exploit.’”
Among the participants was Corbin Barker, a defensive back and safety who attended both the Estevan and Weyburn camps. He said he appreciated the chance to learn from experienced professionals, including those with CFL credentials.
“I liked it ’cause, like, they know what they’re doing,” Barker said. “It’s not just someone that just picked up and wanted to coach.”
Barker, who’s entering his seventh season of football and will suit up for the Estevan Comprehensive School team this year, focused on footwork and position-specific techniques. He said the camps also showed the importance of becoming a well-rounded player.
“You kind of need everything, not just what your position needs,” he said. “You need, like, every position… to learn.”
Though he’s attended other development camps, he said each one contributes to his growth.
“I think you take away certain stuff and improve, even if you don’t really think it does. It kind of does.”
Looking ahead, Barker said he plans to keep honing his skills.
“Maybe just some more footwork and then just toning up the skills, I guess, for next season.”
