Though the 2020 Alberta Winter Games wrapped just 10 days ago, a pair of Airdrie football coaches have already shifted their focus to the summer version of the event – to be held July 23 to 26 in Lethbridge.
Airdrie Raiders bantam head coach Douglas Robertshaw has been named head coach for Zone 2 (Big Country), while George McDougall Mustangs head coach Chris Glass will be the team’s general manager.
No stranger to the Alberta Summer Games, Glass was the head coach for Zone 2 football in 2018 and an offensive co-ordinator (OC) at the previous two. With three Games under his belt, he said he’s developed a fondness for the event.
“It’s a weird, special little tournament,” he said. “You play a whole bunch of football in the span of a single weekend and become really close with kids you probably wouldn’t see in your own programs.
“There’s a camaraderie built there, so it’s nice we get to go through that process again.”
Robertshaw’s appointment as the team’s head coach was a no-brainer, according to Glass.
“His strengths as an OC and what he’s done with the [Airdrie Raiders] bantam program, make him the perfect choice for head coach,” he said.
Differing from previous iterations, the 2020 football component will include a draft system similar to how hockey players were selected for the Winter Games. The 35 successful trialists from Zone 2 will be entered into the draft, and coaches from Zones 1, 2 and 3 will select their preferred lineups from that pool.
“It’s the first time they’ve tried it, so it’s going to be quite interesting,” Glass said. “We’re still going to have 35 members from our zone that have to be selected, but they’ll be selected across three teams and mixed in with Calgary kids, as well.”
According to Glass, the draft system aims to improve a competitive imbalance between zones.
“This is Football Alberta’s attempt to make it a bit more of a level playing field and make sure it’s a better experience for everyone involved,” he said.
Robertshaw, who is also an assistant coach with the Mustangs, will already know many of the 14- and 15-year-old players who try out for the Summer Games team.
“It’s an excellent age group,” he said. “A lot of guys we’ve coached in the bantam league the last few years, we’ve seen them develop.
“This is a good chance for them to be able to meet some of their fellow athletes who they have played against in the bantam league. I know a lot of the kids we’ve talked to are excited about the opportunity to try out and play with some of these guys.”
Robertshaw said Zone 2 – featuring players from communities as far west as Banff, as far north as Olds, as far east as Drumheller and as far south as High River – tends to punch above its weight at the Summer Games, and took home bronze at the 2018 iteration.
“I think Zone 2, as far as football, is one of those zones that really ends up surprising a lot of people, because there is so much talent from a lot of different areas,” he said.
Tryouts for the team will take place in April, according to Glass. Eligible athletes must currently be in Grade 9.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
