Joey Payeur
Ontario Universities Athletics is aiming to foster the growth of grassroots football locally.
OUA reps will be here Tuesday (Oct. 29) with “Growing the Gridiron,” a free junior football clinic aimed at children aged seven-14.
The program, which will take run from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Muskie Field, is a new initiative created by the OUA in its attempt to increase pigskin participation by youth well before they reach high school age.
“We created a program that was based on long-term player development,” OUA sports development assistant Kyle McCabe said by phone from Toronto.
“The program will cover all the basic fundamentals of football, such as kicking, punting, passing, catching, tackling, and blocking for all disciplines of football, such as touch, tackle, and flag,” he noted.
The OUA website describes “Growing the Gridiron,” which is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as being rooted in four guiding principles:
•create a safe environment where children and adults can have fun with football;
•teach football skills, rules, and strategy;
•model and teach competitiveness with an emphasis on good sportsmanship; and
•promote active living and positive self-esteem to participants and volunteers of the program
“Growing the Gridiron” will visit 11 different communities this year, and already has got off to a good start in places like Sudbury, Guelph, and Peterborough.
“We’ve had a great reception from some of the smaller communities,” said McCabe, a former defensive lineman for the Queen’s Golden Gaels.
McCabe and Jesse Murton, who played wide receiver for the York University Lions for three years, will serve as the coaches for the clinic.
Turnout for the clinic so far has ranged from 15-48 players, with McCabe stating getting 25 out would be considered a success.
Those wanting to register can do so in advance by visiting www.oua.ca, then clicking on the football link, and then clicking on the “Growing the Gridiron” link.
