When the Innisfail Minor Football Association (IMFA) called, the Calgary Stampeders came running.
The CFL squad sent two players to help unite the new Innisfail Cyclones with their new Olds-based teammates.
Stampeders players Quincy Butler and Cory Mace took part in a special IMFA practice on Sept. 18 with more than 20 players learning skills and techniques from the two skilled professionals, who also have NFL experience. Butler, a defensive back, played with the New Orleans Saints while Mace spent time with the Buffalo Bills as a defensive lineman.
“We contacted the Stampeders and inquired if they would send a couple of players out to give us a hand and they were immediately on board,” said Telitha Watkinson, president of the IMFA. “The 2014 Cyclones includes players from the Olds bantam team that folded this season due to shortage of players. We needed some numbers to make our program work and together, we have a team with both size and numbers.”
Butler and Mace were pleased to be part of the community outreach through the Stampeders. In Calgary, Mace operates a charity called Mace's Faces that sends kids from group homes to Stamps games.
“The Stampeders pride themselves on being a community team,” said Jonathan Anderson, community relations coordinator. “Since June 14, we have done more than 680 hours of community service through Junior Stampeder camps in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Drumheller. Perhaps Innisfail will be on our list for 2015.”
The professional football players watched the local team go through drills. They then stopped each player and gave pointers to them to improve their technique.
Butler ran his group of players through defensive drills focused on defending against receivers, while Mace ran his group through blocking and related skills.
“I was a Canadian kid from Vancouver who grew up with the CFL and spent time in the NFL. The Stampeders team feels like my college years with their rabid fan base,” said Mace. “I am always ready to give back to the community, something that is part of being a professional athlete in the CFL.”
Meanwhile, Butler watched as his athletes ran backwards, turned left, then right -- always looking straight ahead and giving advice to the young players.
“Keep low. Keep low. I'm watching your eyes. That is where your attention is,” encouraged the athlete. “Lose eye contact with the man in front of you, and you lose the man and he is gone.”
Parents of the athletes were pleased the Stampeders sent players out to be part of the practice.
“It's pretty amazing that the Stamps came out to Innisfail,” said Steve Hollidge, whose son was on field with the professionals. “It is cool to see them share their experience with the teens. They will learn so much.”
Football mom Linda Freund added it was “awesome” the pro players came, adding some of the kids on the field were “right behind their football idols.”
The Innisfail Cylcones are presently sitting with a record of two wins with no losses and will play a game at McMahon Stadium on Sept. 20, which made last week's visit especially meaningful.
“The team goes into a back-to-back-to-back game day event on Oct. 4 at which the peewee team will play at 11 a.m., the bantam team at 1 p.m., and the high school team at 3:30 p.m. at the high school field,” said Watkinson.
One player that is making an impact is kicker Simon Bigger who has adapted his mastery of soccer into kicking field goals and punting. During practice, Bigger was hitting 50-yard field goals regularly.
More information on the IMFA can be found at www.innisfailminorfootball.com.
