INNISFAIL – Young gridironers have hit the field for their annual spring training.
Held every year beginning in May, spring training for the Innisfail Minor Football Association (IMFA) takes place over five weeks and helps prepare players for the football season ahead.
“We have a lot of newer kids this year that are coming out (to spring training),” said Scott Layden, head coach for the peewee cyclones team. “We have quite a few kids that are returning with the atom program. We're trying to build it up from the atoms which will translate over the next few years to the peewees and bantams.”
Spring training runs from early May to mid-June and is held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Innisfail High School football field.
It involves all levels (atom, peewee and bantam) on the field at the same time, going through exercises and drills to condition players and prepare them for the season. The first two weeks are without equipment, followed by three weeks with equipment, noted Layden.
“Right now we're working on stretching, some cardio and we're also working on footwork, using the ladders,” said Layden. “We'll be doing bag work that (teaches) blocking and tackling (skills).”
In addition, players learn ball techniques such as throwing, catching, handing off the ball and learning how to secure a ball when players carry it, he said.
Players range in age from eight to 14 with some seven-year-old players who are physically able to play the sport, said Layden.
Spring training can be intense and physical he added, noting players must know how to properly tackle and be tackled.
“That's what we really work on in weeks 3, 4 and 5,” he said, noting the vital role spring training plays in football.
“It gives us coaches a chance to assess the players and to see what positions they might be good at and where we might fill them in,” said Layden.
Talitha Watkinson, the association's president, said spring training has played a big role in the success of Innisfail minor football teams.
“It started in 2011 with our first spring training camp,” said Watkinson. She noted the past success with both bantam and peewee teams that included peewee gold at the provincial level in 2011 and a bantam league championship in 2014, while the atoms, an exhibition league, are relatively new and formed in 2015.
“It's more about building the fundamentals and getting a good foundation, learning the game of football and being part of a team without the extra pressure of standings,” said Watkinson about the atoms.
“We're starting out strong, the kids are getting together and getting to be a team together,” she added.
Training breaks for July and begins again in August with their summer camp in mid-August. That is followed by the regular season in early September that includes six scheduled games before playoffs begin.
“The really important thing about spring training is that it introduces them to the safe contact (protocol),” said Watkinson. “In order to reduce concussions and make sure kids are playing safely on the field, they have to go through a lot of training and a lot of practices so they know how to hit properly and how to get hit, so that we don't have injuries and we don't have concussions.”
The IMFA is still accepting registrations, said Watkinson, and welcomes all interested players between 8 and 14 years of age.
“You can join at any point. We'll take registrations all the way through August,” said Watkinson, noting citizens can also now register online. “If you can't make it out to spring training, you can still sign up.”
For more information visit www.innisfailminorfootball.com or visit Innisfail Minor Football on Facebook.
Talitha Watkinson, president of IMFA
"We're starting out strong, the kids are getting together and getting to be a team together."
