Hamber’s Football Team is Back in the Game
Grade 8 students train for their first game | Photo Credit: Teagan Nichol
Coached by Mr. B. Gibson (Physical Education), Hamber’s grade 8 football team plans to be the first stage in re-establishing Hamber’s football program, which has been on hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our hope is that this is a springboard to us restarting our teams in the fall,” said Mr. Gibson. “Next year we’ll be able to take these grade 8’s, who will be grade 9’s next year, along with some grade 10’s, and have a junior varsity team.” Mr. Gibson’s goal is to eventually restart the varsity team as well, something he’s been trying to do since the shutdowns.
The grade 8 football team practices three times a week, having games on different days. There will only be three games for the team this season, as the team started after spring break. The team usually works with contact, making sure they can safely enter and receive blows, as well as practising being in positions to see the game.
Most of the assistant coaches are Hamber alumni who’ve come to help with the team. “I’ve played on the football team for five years and loved every minute of it,” commented Deniz Senoglu, an assistant coach and Hamber graduate of 2018. “When I heard there were options to help, and the team needed help, I was more than happy to give my time to give back to a program that helped me.”
Another graduate, Callum Oxley, explained what the assistant coaches do. “We’ll help run some of the drills, give pointers to the players […] most of the time we’re demonstrating things, giving the pointers that I received when I first started.”
The players this year are excited to play their games and be with their team. “We’re all really nice, and we all really want to win, and we’re really competitive.” said Angus Hesby (8). He’s excited to be able to do sports inside of Hamber. “I always wanted a more contact sport,” stated Nolan Wolf (8). “When this opportunity opened up, I had to take it.”
“This season, our goal is just to have a team on the field and have positive experiences,” said Mr. Gibson. “I think that we’ve accomplished that so far.” Mr. Gibson also hopes that the team will encourage more people to join football next season in the fall.