The organizers trying to bring junior football to southeast Saskatchewan are having a meeting this month to recruit players and sponsors.
The session will take place July 22 at the Western Star Hotel in Estevan at 7 p.m. Jason Bresciani, who is organizing the initiative along with Frank DeBruyn, said they want to discuss the direction they’re taking and gage the interest level of the players.
“It would be nice to have a good turnout so that we know where we’re at,” said Bresciani.
The team would be known as the Southeast Roughnecks.
A meeting in June did not attract a lot of people, so they’re holding another meeting.
Regardless of attendance at July’s meeting, the junior Roughnecks will start holding practices on Aug. 11 at the practice field south of the Estevan Comprehensive School. There will be weekly Sunday practices to help the players get in shape and become familiar with the playbooks.
“We are working, trying to get an exhibition game this fall, to see where we’re at with this league,” said Bresciani.
Even if they don’t have a good turnout, they’ll still practice, and work towards next season.
“The whole idea is to get the community to see that there are young men outside playing tackle football,” said Bresciani.
The team is asking players to pay $150 to register. Players are also asked to go out into the community and recruit potential teammates and sponsors, allowing them to get more equipment and practice jerseys.
The Roughnecks are also still in need of board members.
Bresciani and DeBruyn announced their intention earlier this season to start the Roughnecks, giving football players the chance to compete after high school. They would play in the Manitoba Major Junior Football League, which is for ages 18-22. It’s the same age range as the Canadian Junior Football League.
The Roughnecks would boast players from throughout the southeast region.
