In 2019, The Battlefords Minor Football Bucks took home their third-straight league championship this weekend in Saskatoon. (submitted photo/Paul Fransoo)

By Kenneth Cheung

NEW CHAPTER FOR LOCAL FOOTBALL

Battleford minor football team comeback with new training program

Aug 29, 2024 | 2:00 PM

A junior Battleford football team is making a comeback this season with a new football program after COVID-19 strikes.

The Bucks is a junior football team made up of grade 6 to grade 9 students.

In 2019, they won their third-straight league championship in the Saskatoon Minor Football League, defeating the Ledingham Steelers 42-28.

However, due to social distancing and other restrictions Covid brought, they were forced to put a pause on their legacy.

(Submitted photo/ Kevin Pinno)

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“Our grade 8 and 9 team has many returning players who are eager to get back to playing. We reached the semi-finals last year and are expecting success in each season,” said Kevin Pinno, organizer of Battleford Minor Football (BMF) and the head coach of the BMF Blues.

Pinno further stated that this is an opportunity for 6th and 7th graders who have never played tackle football to experience and develop a passion for it.With this comeback, he pointed out that there will longer be a Junior Vikings team for the 2024-2025 season; instead they’ll be playing with the BMF Blues.

Pinno also observed that most of the new players lacked prior knowledge of football. However, after participating in the spring camp training in May, they significantly improved their abilities in running, catching, throwing, and understanding the terminology used in football.

“We expect to see the same improvement this fall in both age groups.”

Pinno believes that this new opportunity will help young football players in the Battlefords feel proud and connected. He said It would let them make friends and build strong relationships with other players from all over the community.

One of their training sessions. (submitted photo/ Kevin Pinno)

“It is clear that the Battlefords take pride in all their sports. To be able to build a grassroots program that develops athletes is a great way for them to build a sense of community and contribute to the passion for sport in the community,” he said.

Pinno encourages people to experience the thrill of playing football. He further explained that this sport allows each individual to contribute to the team in their own special way while working towards a common goal. He shared that he has dedicated five years to this sport and has savoured every moment of the experience.

“The best thing about football is that it takes all different types of players to make a successful team. You need big players, small players, fast players, and slow players, some of whose job is to catch, while others will play their entire lives without catching a ball in a game.”

“It’s a unique sport where you work as a team, but everyone has a different job. There’s no other sport like that. I hope we can inspire young athletes to feel the same way,” Pinno said.

Anyone who is interested can get involved by visiting the BML website or their Facebook page.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com