The Bonnyville Bantam Bandits are gearing up to snap back into action.
The local football team hit the field for their first practice of the year on Monday, May 8, as they get ready for another season.
Over the next five to six weeks, the Bandits will be training for the Bengals Jamboree taking place on June 17 in St. Paul. On the field will be coaches and players as they determine their own, and their opponents, strengths and weaknesses.
Mickey Fagnan, head coach for the Bonnyville Bandits, described it as a learning process.
“It's important that the kids understand the game, because this is an extremely team-driven sport where everyone's actions, or lack thereof, determines the success of the play. If they get that in their head, the team is highly charged and believed in.”
The Bandits use a football fast track technique to get the newer and younger players up to speed on the ins and outs of the game.
“It gives the young players an opportunity to learn the lingo. If you don't know the lingo, you don't know where to stand and where to run, and it can be very confusing,” Fagnan explained. “If one of them doesn't do their job, the play will break down immediately.”
This season, 35 players signed up and have already started training. Some are new to the sport, while others have moved up from the peewee team.
“We have a great bunch of kids that are coming up through the Renegades, and a great bunch of kids who are still in our system, plus a good number of new kids,” noted Fagnan.
Over the years, the Bandits have had anywhere from three to six female players, but this year only one signed up; Cassie Christians, who is in her third year with the team.
Fagnan described Christians as a player with “a great attitude.”
“We're excited to have her. She has been with us for a while and she brings a real light to the room.”
Also returning for another season is John Neumann, a player Fagnan said who would be “a tremendous force,” for the team.
“This year, our biggest competitor will probably be the Lloydminster Chargers,” said Fagnan, adding the Lloydminster Mustangs and the St. Paul bantam teams have also been known to put up a fight.
With Walsh Field under construction, the team has been practicing at Caouette Park, but the artificial turf field is worth waiting for, noted Fagnan.
Despite the inconvenience, the Bandits will still be getting in as much practice as possible ahead of their first official game in September.
“Football is a lot about repetition,” Fagnan said. “It's imperative that those basic developmental drills are implemented every practice, so our younger players get a bit more proficient at it.”
