Is a football program in the future for Pratt?

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Someone will eventually have to take the bull by the horns if a high school football program is ever going to be launched in High Prairie, says the principal at E.W. Pratt High School. “We’ve had fairly consistent interest,” says Dan Sloan, adding students are polled periodically to gauge interest. “Two or three years ago we had a real strong wave.” There is a core of Pratt students who play football as much as they can during lunch break and would love to see a program. However, several issues need to be addressed including organization, financing and coaching, says Sloan. “Money would be one problem,” says Sloan. “If the will was there and someone wanted to do the footwork. . .we need a nucleus of people to coach and formalize. High Prairie caught a break Aug. 12 when Redeemer Lutheran Church Pastor James Avery recently moved into town. Avery, who would be interested in helping organize a program locally, is helping Siguardson coach the Valleyview Hillside Cougars. “I’d love to see something go at this level,” says Avery. “I’m a big believer in football.” Avery played high school football at Cochrane before graduating to the Calgary Colts junior program. He played university football with Christian Sports Outreach in Minneapolis where they toured playing junior colleges and teaching high school players. Avery is willing to help but says his role would be limited because he provides pastoral service to High Prairie and Valleyview. “If it’s going to be run it has to be run through the school,” says Avery. “Through the nature of pastorage, If I’ve got to go I’ve got to go. “I don’t mind helping out when I’m available,” he adds. “As long as I can get there I will. I’m willing to give my expertise.” He adds the Alberta Football Association offers coaching clinics each year to help anyone interested in coaching. The other big stumbling block is money. Curtis Siguardson is the head coach of the Cougars and has been involved since Day 1 of the program 11 years ago. He would love to see a program in High Prairie. Siguardson estimates it would take about $24,000 to get started. He estimates it costs $4,000 for each set of jerseys, $1,500 for practice pants, $3,000 for game pants, $6,000 for shoulder pads and $10,000 for helmets at $225 each. “If you had $30,000 you’d be in good shape,” says Siguardson. There are grants such as the Community Enhancement grant which Hillside took advantage of but major local sponsorship is imperative. Sloan would also not want to see any other school sports programs suffer, particularly volleyball, which runs the same time as football. “We’d have to consider that,” says Sloan. “Are there enough student athletes to go around? We might be spreading ourselves too thin.” And, of course, the possibility exists of partnering with St. Andrew’s School to share financing and players. Sloan would also want to ensure any football program started would be for the long-term. “We’d want it to be at least three to five years,” says Sloan. That presents a problem. If a parent interested wanted to begin the program, their child would be out of school in a minimum of two years and interest could wane. Sloan would also prefer that coaches come from outside the school. “In a smaller town your coaches get tapped out,” says Sloan. “They’re coaching school sports and community sport.” Siguardson says football is the ultimate team sport for school spirit because students of all shapes and sizes have an important role to play. “You have your slim, fast guys who excel in everything,” says Siguardson. “They just go themselves but if you don’t have big kids to play the line those skinny kids are going to get crushed.” Valleyview Valley Views sports reporter Steve Kushneryk agrees with Siguardson that football is the ultimate school sport. “There is no better sport,” says Kushneryk. “It’s a sport for everyone. You get the big guys not agile enough to play other sports involved. I’ve seen their self-esteem really rise. You need big guys who can block and fast guys who can throw and catch.” Siguardson says he has no doubts that a High Prairie program would be a success. “High Prairie has a ton of great athletes,” says Siguardson. “I’m sure they’d have a great program.” Siguardson, Avery and Sloan agree that organizing and fundraising would have to begin immediately for a program to get started next season. Avery suggests that the team would play exhibition games the first year before joining the Mighty Peace Football League the year after.

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