The camp is free to attend and no equipment is needed. The two-week camp allows new players to learn about football while also providing a refresher for returning players.

“In those two weeks, we are gonna cover the absolute basics of football so kids who have never played before can come play the sport, get an understanding of the rules, the systems offense and defense, and start to build technique and skills and everything they need to know to be successful playing football,” explains Bantam Coach Todd Lewis. “The veteran players, or the returning players, they get a refresher. All the stuff they might be a little rusty on, we polish that up and expand on what they have already learned.”

To play on the senior Broncs team, the players must be students at Ponoka Secondary Campus because it is high school football. However, the bantam team is community-based, meaning the players can attend any school in the area.

“What I want to see in kids coming to fall camp is curiosity. Be open to trying this new sport and give it a shot. If a kid comes to one practice and decides it is not for them, that is totally fine.” says Lewis.

The Broncs also encourage girls to come out and try football. Senior Bronc Emily McMillan played for the Team Alberta U18 Women’s team this summer, capturing gold at nationals. Each year, the Broncs have seen an increase in girls playing football in Ponoka.

“There are more and more girls playing football each year and I love it! It shouldn’t matter if you’re a boy or girl, it should matter if you want to play football. Girls and boys should experience football and learn from what it has to teach us. I love to see that more girls are getting to experience that.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many youth sports leagues to cancel or postpone seasons, the Bantam Broncs were able to continue playing against other small towns in the area through the creation of a developmental league. Coach Lewis says navigating all of the protocols was a challenge but having the kids not have a two-year gap in playing football helps their development as players and as people.

For games, the Broncs will either play with twelve on the field, like in the Canadian Football League (CFL) or with nine on at a time, depending on the size of the teams. The rules don’t differ much if there are nine on the field. The only changes are the loss of two offensive linemen and one running back.

The Broncs also hosted a Spring camp in May and have since been running dryland training over the summer. The dryland training focused more on fitness and skill-based practices. The Broncs have one more scheduled dryland practice on Thursday August 18 at 5:30 p.m. behind the high school and any interested player is welcome to attend.

Broncs Football also plays an important role in the community according to Coach Todd Lewis.

“I’m stealing a quote from one of my opponents I guess. He says ‘I don’t coach football, I coach kids and I use football to coach kids.’ I really agree with that and believe in that. It’s not just a game in and of itself. I mean football is a great sport and it’s fun and it’s awesome and it teaches you a lot of great things but really the life lessons that are learned and reinforced throughout the game is really why I love coaching and why I believe football is really important to our community.”

Lewis also believes that football creates better human beings as well.

“Things like self-sacrifice or things bigger than yourself. Can you keep running and pushing and working hard when your body is tired and uncomfortable, because you know that what it takes for the team to be successful. I think it’s really important for a person to put themselves in that position and make a sacrifice for the greater good.” explains Coach Todd Lewis. “To be a functioning member of society that’s kind of important. Football doesn’t just preach that, it shows that through the gameplay. If you are not working hard, your team suffers as a direct consequence. Other tenants like comradery and brotherhood and teamwork, those are just words, but in football you see them. You see how teamwork and brotherhood pay off and how it can put a person in a position of success.”

Lewis also stresses that as long as the kids show up to camp and work hard and are coachable, they will have no issues when it comes to fitting in and making the team.

The fall camp runs August 22-25, 27, 29-31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  If you have any questions or are looking for more information Coach Todd Lewis can be emailed at todd.lewis@wolfcreek.ab.ca