Nationally-recognized and well-respected football coach Jay Prepchuk held his first Campbell River quarterback camp earlier this year, he’s coming back by special request of the Campbell River Fighting Eagles.
Eagles spokesperson Cora Advocaat says they are thrilled to be welcoming Prepchuk to the Robron field next week.
“He’s coming back for two days this time, which is great,” she says. “It’s super nice of him to pop over, because we’re actually taking him away from his own camp in Vancouver for a couple of days.”
Prepchuk runs football camps all over the country, frequently in conjunction with CFL teams – his BC Lions camps in the Lower Mainland are exceptionally well-attended – and is sought after by clubs all over the country.
“Jay is so great with the kids,” Advocaat says. “You see some coaches that yell and scream and get in kids’ faces and stuff, but Jay’s not like that at all. He’s super supportive and positive, and the kids really respond to him.”
Unlike many sports camps, Advocaat says, where the focus is on developing game skills, the one next week more about fun – and figuring out if football is even something you like. Participants don’t even have to be intending to play Peewee (8-12) or Jr. Bantam (13-14) football for the Eagles after the camp is over.
“This is just for anyone who doesn’t know what football is all about, and maybe just sees it on TV and thinks it’s violent or dangerous … this is a way to find out more about it in a fun, no-pressure way and see if it’s something you’re into,” Advocaat says.
Registration for the two-day camp, being held next Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 15 and 16), is $50 and includes snacks and refreshments both days along with lunch on Tuesday.
“We just want people to come out and have some fun,” Advocaat says. “Maybe it’ll spark an interest, or maybe you’ll find out it’s not your thing and you’ll just have some fun for a couple of days and maybe meet some new people. That’s not a bad thing, right? This is a way to just give football a try without shelling out a bunch of money to get into a league before you know if it’s even something you like.”
She adds that they are also always looking for volunteers and coaches to help out with the Eagles’ programs, so anyone interested in that aspect of the sport should think about attending the camp, as well, as Prepchuk is happy to coach coaches, too.
Anyone interested can contact Advocaat through the Eagles Facebook page or by phone – or text – at 250-204-6566.