Students ‘appreciative’ of Edmonton Elks hosting free football camp during strike

High school football players kept off the field by the teacher strike got the chance to play with the Edmonton Elks at a special camp.

Over a hundred lucky Edmonton area high school football players are getting to learn from the best during the provincial teachers’ strike.

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“We really didn’t want to see them sitting around for two weeks or so and then having to go back and jump back into games immediately,” said Ryan Brower, community coordinator with the Edmonton Elks.

The Elks are hosting six training camp sessions for high school students, a chance for them to keep up their momentum until they’re back in action.

Enrollment for the training camp filled within hours of opening, with 140 students making it onto the field with a waitlist of 43 players.

• Edmonton Elks organize free camp for high school football players sidelined by strike

“It just goes to show the passion this community has for the sport, the love of the game and all that,” Brower said.

“We’re here just to get the work in, and I wouldn’t care if we were doing it in the parking lot, we just want the kids to get better at the game.”

Getting the chance to learn from the pros at Commonwealth Stadium is a chance for the players to take a step forward in their careers.

“It’s been my dream ever since I was little, ever since I was five years old, I’ve been training to be a pro football player,” said Sherwood Park high school student Grady Malo.

Malo says the strike means the football season was cut shorter and some games were cancelled. However, learning from the Elks staff has been a bonus.

“It feels amazing, I love being coached by the professionals,” he said. ”They’re amazing people, they’re amazing players, and it helps me develop my skills to such a high level now.”

Edmonton Elks wide receiver Steven Dunbar Jr., who was on hand to guide the students on the field, says the strike is a life lesson that can help them throughout their future careers.

“It’s not going to be the last time things happen, especially around football, unexpected circumstances happening, so you just have to make the most out of it,” he said.

The Elks will be hosting the training camps until the end of the month.