The Eastman Raiders Football Club recently had the chance to welcome Grey Cup finalists as they arrived in Winnipeg for the big game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Montreal Alouettes will face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday, November 16 at Princess Auto Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An exciting experience\u00a0<\/p>\n
Raiders coach and board member Skyler Besser says it was a memorable day for young players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the MMFA (Manitoba Minor Football Association) reach out to us and ask if we wanted to collect some kids and have them welcome in the CFL players as they were coming into town.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He says many kids from various minor football teams came out for the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just get to experience what\u00a0it’s\u00a0like for them to get welcomed into a new city and, I mean, just the level of competition that\u00a0they’re\u00a0at just gives them something to look forward to.\u00a0It’s\u00a0just a cool experience all around.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eastman Raider player meeting CFL player.<\/p>\n
Besser says the kids brought signs and were able to high-five many of the CFL players as they entered, making it a special moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s\u00a0kind of the\u00a0experience that the MMFA and just the youth football in general gives\u00a0kids is\u00a0the experience\u00a0to do\u00a0things that they would normally never get to do.\u00a0That’s\u00a0what we strive for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hopes the Raiders players enjoyed the opportunity, adding that football continues even when the season ends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing part of the Eastman Raiders, at least on the board, for me,\u00a0it’s\u00a0year-round. And if we get to extend their season by doing things like this, even this radio thing is extending their season.\u00a0It’s\u00a0just\u00a0cool\u00a0to go and keep doing stuff.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Player’s reaction<\/p>\n
U16 player Lacey Schroeder says meeting CFL athletes was a highlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just exciting to see players from the CFL. Like you normally\u00a0don’t\u00a0get to meet them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Schroeder will be cheering for the Alouettes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey seem like a very strong team.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
U14 player Carson Bergen-Hodge agrees it was\u00a0a great experience\u00a0and says the biggest highlight was seeing the Grey Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s\u00a0kind of cool\u00a0because the players get it every single year and\u00a0it’s\u00a0like the\u00a0big thing\u00a0in the league.\u00a0It’s\u00a0kind of cool\u00a0to see.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Heading into his fifth year of football, he shared what keeps him coming back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the excitement and just like getting that tackle or getting that pick is just an awesome feeling.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As for Sunday\u2019s game, he does have one hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just don’t want Saskatchewan to win,\u201d he laughs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
U10 player Wyatt McConnell, in his second year of tackle football, is also loving the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI like getting touchdowns.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He held up a sign that\u00a0read, \u201cWelcome to Winnipeg Roughriders,\u201d and plans to cheer for Saskatchewan this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lacey Schroeder,\u00a0Carson Bergen-Hodge, and\u00a0Wyatt McConnell in the Country 107 studio, powered by LMS Ag Equipment.
\nFootball growth in Steinbach\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Besser says football in the southeast continues to expand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our floodlight campaign coming up, so we’re trying to push to get some lights in, and this way we can host later games, and it just gives us way more opportunity to play football.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bergen-Hodge says lights would make\u00a0a big difference\u00a0for young players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think\u00a0it’s\u00a0cool because night games are just awesome because\u00a0usually\u00a0we have games in the morning or early afternoon.\u00a0So, it’s pretty cool.\u00a0I know some fields in the city have lights. So,\u00a0it’d\u00a0be\u00a0kind of cool\u00a0to have lights at home games.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With files from Carly Koop<\/p>\n
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