Spring football season gives Battlefords athletes chance to grow

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Pinno said the program’s focus goes beyond competition, serving as a feeder system for high school football in North Battleford.

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“The grassroots program is to make both of our high schools better. I’m a teacher and coach at JP as well. So being heavily involved in both, we just want to build football in the Battlefords and give athletes the best opportunity they have to succeed at both schools.”

Pinno, who teaches science at John Paul II Collegiate, said research continues to show the benefits of young athletes playing multiple sports.

“The research says that it’s arguably the most important thing for your kids to take part in if you want them to be successful athletes,” he said.

He credited parents for helping make that possible, despite busy schedules.

“Moving forward, we highly encourage kids to play multiple sports. I have to tip my hat to all the parents that are, we have parents that drive their kids from football straight to baseball and they get a granola bar in between on the ride home… We have kids that are doing football and then swimming after. It’s amazing that the parents are helping out because the kids love it.”

Pinno said participating in multiple sports helps athletes develop a wider range of movement skills that can benefit them in any sport they choose.

That athletic versatility has already stood out among the association’s Grade 8 players, many of whom compete in several sports throughout the year.

“They pick things up really fast, and they’re a group of great athletes that have played multiple sports. So, their bodies already move so well. I think it’s going to be really fun as we compete against other teams and open up the playbook, like what we can actually do,” said Pinno.

He recalled one recent practice where the team quickly mastered a new play.

“They got it in 10 minutes. It was awesome.”

As the program continues to grow, Pinno said the association is working to make information easier for families to find online through its website and Facebook page.

“We’re trying to really build this grad-roots program and doing the best we can to offer families the best opportunity to play football. I’m a firm believer that in a community this size everybody should have the opportunity to play everything and do everything.”

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com