The Drumheller Titans have made the leap into a new league this week, abandoning the possibly now defunct Big Sky League.
The Titans have joined the Rangeland League, leaving Olds as the sole member of the Big Sky Conference. Coach Ken Fournier likes the move.
“It is good to have better competition and get some structure to the league. We want the boys to be playing for something,” said Fournier. “We are not in a rebuilding phase for our program so we want to keep moving forward.”
Ken Fournier, Titans head coach
The league includes the Crescent Heights Vikings from Medicine Hat, the Medicine Hat High School Mohawks, the McCoy Colts, the Strathmore Spartans and the Brooks Buffalos.
He adds that despite initial appearances, the travel might be less, saving the team funds in the long run.
“It will actually cut down our travel costs and travel time,” said Fournier.
This season only Olds remained in the Big Sky Conference, and Canmore, made the jump to the Big Rock League. With Strathmore and Brooks in close proximity, Fournier says there is a good chance of some fierce rivalries developing.
The competition will be strong as well as all of the teams in the league are in tiers above the Titans, with larger draw populations.
“Going into Rangeland won’t effect our berthing,” said Fournier. “One of the big reasons we are moving is that there was a motion put forward that you would have to be in a league of four or more teams in order to qualify for provincials.”
He explains this rule is to encourage communities with six and nine man teams to join up and play some tier four football and strengthen the programs. Right now the tier four numbers are dropping and many of the tier three teams are challenging and going up to tier two.
“The battle right now there is such a huge gap… With these changes I think it will be good for us, we’ll get better competition year in and year out,” said Fournier.
Already the Titans have four home league games scheduled. One notable change is league games will be played out on Friday nights.
