Drumheller Titans coach Ken Fournier is taking on a much bigger squad this summer coaching the Zone 2 football entry in the Alberta Summer Games.
This year, the Summer Games will be held in Leduc July 14 -17 and Fournier has been selected to lead the squad.
“This will be a new one for me, this is the first time that I have coached bantams,” said Fournier.
He explains Zone 2 encompasses communities surrounding Calgary. The selection camps are coming up in Okotoks and Airdrie from May 5-8. Invitations have been mailed to perspective players. This year eligible athletes are born in 1998 or later, or graduating from Grade 9 come June.
“We’ll put a team together, practice a few times over the weekends, and compete against other teams from the other zones,” said Fournier.
He explains he was brought on to help build representation in the zone. The last time a Drumheller player was at the Alberta Summer Games was four years ago when Tracker Robinson played.
Fournier has invited Dale Johnston to assist with coaching and a number of current Titans have been mailed invitations.
“I know there are a few guys who are excited to try out,” said Fournier.
The competition is an eight-team tournament, and unlike coaching a program where you develop players over the long term, the focus is to get the players ready for a single event.
“You are not trying to teach these kids everything in the four days of selection camp, you are picking the best athletes you can find right now,” said Fournier. “That doesn’t mean that if you see potential in the players, you can’t put a little work into them.”
The Alberta Summer Games happens every two years and includes 14 disciplines from Athletics to Volleyball. Leduc previously hosted the game in 2008.
