When you think of Innisfail football think True Grit.
Nearly 100 players, ranging from ages 10 to 14, from the Rocky Mountain House Rebels, Cochrane's Rocky View Rage and the Innisfail Cyclones put on their football gear on Aug. 23 and met for a day of coached scrimmages at the Innisfail Jr./Sr. High school football field.
“This was an all-day event for both bantams and peewees that allowed all the players to practise their skills and build confidence in a game-like setting without the pressure before regular season games start,” said Jay Lute, Innisfail Minor Football Association (IMFA) club manager. “In addition to the games, we had a great halftime show that included longest throw and kick, and Joy's School of Dance performed.”
The club manager added that True Grit was a series of 20-minute games between the teams' peewee and bantam squads, which were highly competitive.
“For some of the players this was the first time they will have played against another team,” said Scott Layden, coach of the Innisfail PeeWee Cyclones. “This year we have a good core of between eight and 10 players who can play offence or defence, and along the way they have already tried to teach their teammates. We have a great team atmosphere, and that is what we are aiming for.”
Lute said that there was a lot of positive feedback from the parents and players who watched in the stands and kept them full throughout the afternoon.
“In terms of the Cyclones, the bantams played really well in their first game against Rocky View, with three players making interceptions and fumble recoveries,” said Lute of the game that ended in a 0-0 tie. “The peewees played with a lot of heart and it is amazing what these kids learn in just a few short weeks, and it's only going to get better as the season progresses.”
The IMFA coaching staff includes Scott Layden (peewee), Jay Lute (bantam), Wally Genz, James Bell, Darryl Cunningham, and junior coaches Darian Davis, Drake Caron, Keltie Vegso, Brandon Cain, Justin Woodruff and Matthew Gabert.
Lute added prizes were generously donated by the Gift Loft, Nummies by Mummies and Discovery Wildlife Park to winners of the mini-events with oil company Worley Parsons fully sponsoring the IMFA event.
Registrations for regular season participation are still being accepted until Sept. 10, and interested players and their parents are welcome to come down to the field to check out a practice, which are held on Tuesdays to Thursdays between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
More information as well as registration forms are available on the website at www.innisfailminorfootball.com.
“Next year we will be back at it again, and hopefully make it even bigger and better,” said Lute.
Interested players can contact Talitha Watkinson, IMFA president, 403-227-6113, Coach Jay at 403-227-7848, Coach Scott at 403-318-7796, or Jessica Lute, club manager, at 403-227-7848.
