Although the junior football season at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute has begun with a team of students from grades 7 to 9, students in grades 5 and 6 are also involved in the program because they will be forming a team in the spring with Grade 7 players.
The KCI Spartans junior football team, which has 19 players of both sexes, will play its first game against Watson in Watson on Monday.
During the season, the team, which practices after school on Wednesdays and Fridays, will play a total of four games, said Tyler Lorenzo, the coach. Other teams in the league are from Canora, Preeceville and Wakaw.
The team’s first home game will be played against Canora on September 26, and the season will end with the team’s second home game on October 17.
Supporting the team is a parents’ committee that includes Deanna Bodnarek who has been active with a bottle drive that was held in Kamsack on Saturday when parents canvassed the community seeking redeemable bottles and cans.
The team also received donations of redeemable bottles and cans from Redline Chrysler, Kandy’s Korner and the Veregin Rec Hall committee, Lorenzo said.
The Town of Kamsack has donated $900 and Kamsack Petro-Canada, $500, he said, adding that the Kamsack SARCAN outlet has set out a special bin at the outlet that will be accepting donations until December.
The money is being used to purchase new helmets for the team, he said, estimating that 20 helmets will cost $6,000.
Although there will be no admission at the at-home games, the parent committee will be selling barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs, Bodnarek said, adding that Cheryl Bloudoff will also be selling a selection of her special treats, including popcorn balls, puffed rice cake and puffed wheat cake.
Representatives of the Kamsack Co-op grocery have also indicated they would be helping to sponsor the team, she said.
The team will continue to accept donations year round, Lorenzo said. Helmets are expensive.
“I believe in this program. It has grown substantially and now includes the younger students in grades 5 to 7, which gives students another opportunity to be involved in the school and community and to learn a physical sport that teaches discipline.
“I also know that the children are safe and off the streets while they are participating in football,” he said. “The community has been extremely supportive through donations which are essential in a small town.
“My goals are to continue building this program which can bring the community together and provide some entertainment for the residents,” Lorenzo said.
