Three local teens have been chosen to represent the region and will participate in the 2016 Alberta Summer Games.
Football players Nathan Fuerbringer (wide receiver), Jaidon Wright (defensive end) and Brett Fox (quarterback) will compete on the Zone 4 Football Team during the Alberta Summer Games July 14 to 17 in Leduc.
Wright and Fox, both 15, are Grade 9 students at Innisfail High School while Fuerbringer, also 15, is a Grade 9 student at Penhold Crossing Secondary School who lives with his family on an acreage just outside Innisfail.
All three players developed their skills as members of the Innisfail Minor Football Association over the past several years.
“Playing against and with some of the best players in Alberta will be an awesome experience,” said Fox, noting the hard work it took to make the team. “We went through three months of (winter) camp and then had tryouts. We had eight sessions of tryouts over two weekends,” he added. “You had to make the first cut, and the last cut determined the team.”
A total of 82 players tried out for the Zone 4 football team and thanks to years of experience and dedication to the sport, the three local football players earned a spot on the final roster.
Fuerbringer, Wright and Fox are three of 35 players to make the team.
It will be the first summer games for all of them.
“Zone 4 has never won the championship so we're looking to win it this year,” said Wright.
All three boys grew up together playing minor football with the Innisfail Cyclones and made the league all-star team last year.
The gridironers said they are thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the town and the region with Zone 4 at the summer games.
“It's going to be a great experience for all of us to play together,” said Fox, noting how he and his teammates are preparing for the summer games.
“We've got to stay in shape and we've got summer camp (coming up), which will help us,” he added, noting there is a busy practice schedule ahead. “We have two weeks to prepare with our summer games team.”
Practices will be held every day and will include a nine-day practice schedule with two practices, two hours a day, in Red Deer leading up to the event.
“Just practising here at the high school helps us get ready and prepare mentally to be ready for the summer games,” said Wright.
The boys will participate in the opening ceremonies on July 13.
The Zone 4 football team will play a total of three games during the event on July 15, 16 and 17. Game 1 is July 15 against Zone 2 (Edmonton).
For more information visit www.2016asg.com
Brett Fox
"Playing against and with some of the best players in Alberta will be an awesome experience."
