‘Once in a lifetime’: Kids across province show up for Edmonton Elks young elites tryouts

The Edmonton Elks have started a program giving young football players the chance to train with the team for a whole season. CTV Edmonton's Connor Hogg reports.

Saturday marked the launch of the first-ever Edmonton Elks Selects program, an elite-level team for recruits aged 12 to 18 looking to get high-level athletic coaching.

“It’s just about getting kids opportunities, professional coaching and figuring out what it takes to play football at the next level,” said Elks community co-ordinator Ryan Brower, who was overseeing the tryouts at Commonwealth Stadium.

Kids and teens who make the teams in their age division will go on to play a season that runs until February and, during that time, will have access to on and off-field supports like athletic therapy while receiving guidance from Canadian Football League coaches.

“We got Aaron Grymes, Des Catellier and Danny Nesbitt … they’re out here giving their time, pouring into the community to help these kids,” he said.

Brower added that the camp tries to impart “recruitable” wisdom on the athletes, like keeping their grades up while training.

Grymes, the Elks defensive back coach, was at tryouts Saturday and said it brings back fond memories for him.

“It’s important to remember that I once was that kid, looking up to local college athletes or professional athletes in town,” he said.

“So to have the opportunity to bring them in here to our house and give them that kind of coaching and teaching is special for them, but it’s also special for us.”

Some young athletes, like 15-year-old Shay Barlund, have been training all summer for a shot at the program. Barlund and his mom drove from near Grande Prairie for the weekend-long tryouts.

“It’s worth it because there are scouts here and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Barlund, who plays offensive lineman, said. “I might not be able to be here ever again. So this is very important.

“It means a lot to me, because (the coaches) are taking time out of their day to coach me and others.”

While there are financial aid opportunities for the athletes, the cost to be in a training camp can run pretty steep. Barlund’s mom, Deborah, said she’s “in awe” of her son, who’s been putting in the work among sponsorships, donations and odd jobs to get a shot at the high-level coaching camp.

“The amount of effort he’s put into making this happen for himself, it’s just crazy,” she said.

“I try to be humble, but yeah, I’m pretty proud of him.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg