Thanks to a recent $10,000 gaming grant, the Campbell River Eagles football organization has a ton of new equipment.
Now they just need some kids to put it on.
"We apply for (a gaming grant) every year, but we never know if we're going to get it," says Eagles board member Cora Advocaat. "This year we did and we were able to purchase brand new equipment. We got all new shoulder pads, helmets, field equipment, down markers, practice equipment, tackling dummies. It's amazing."
And so, for only $75, Advocaat says, first-time players between the ages of nine and 13 can play organized football this spring. That registration fee includes everything from equipment use to field rental.
"All they need is a pair of cleats," Advocaat says. "And they can choose to buy a mouthguard or they can use one from the club. Everything else is supplied."
And she's careful to note that the cleats don't have to be specifically designed for football.
"If they can't find football shoes, anything with cleats will work."
And the sooner the kids get registered, the better, Advocaat says. The teams have already started practicing, and the more practice the players get before the season starts, the better – obviously.
"We also need them to go through the registration process online so that they're completely covered insurance-wise," Advocaat says. "It's important to get all the official documentation part done – it's a relatively simple process, but it does take a little bit of time. I'm happy to walk people through the process step by step if they need me to."
Advocaat thinks they may get a few more parents interested this season now that the organization has dialled back the time commitment a little.
"I think the prospect of three two-hour practices each week and then a game every weekend maybe turned a few people off," she says. Practices for this spring season are slated for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 at Southgate Middle School. Gameday is Sunday.
There are also a few new things going on behind the scenes with the Eagles this year. They have recruited a full compliment of five coaches and many new board members, all of which have access to the team's email address, which Advocaat says will make for much smoother communication between parents, players, coaches and team administration.
"We all have that email address linked to our phones, and any questions that come in can be responded to by the person best able to answer it," Advocaat says. "I can pretty much guarantee that between 12 and 24 hours, your questions will be answered, and then some."
That email address is campbellrivereaglesfootball@gmail.com
You can also track the team down on Facebook or call/text Advocaat directly at 250-204-6566.
The final official in-person registration day is coming up next Wednesday (March 15) at Timberline from 6 to 8 p.m. beside the football field, so anyone thinking about joining should pop in and have a chat to see if Football is for them.