Richard Froese
South Peace News
The High Prairie Renegades wrapped up their first season in the Alberta High School 9-a-Side Football League.
Head coach Kristin Rich is optimistic about the future after a year when the Renegades struggled in the league standings and the Outlaws did not field a team because of a shortage of a required number of players at the start of the season.
“As a huge building year and many changes, I feel the season went as smooth as it could,” says Rich, who completed her first year as head coach.
“The players and coaching staff put in 100 per cent at all times and it really paid of in so many aspects.”
The Renegades grew as a team, as well as the players growing their skills and individual growth on and off the field during the season, she says.
“With that, we got the opportunity to see so much confidence in each and every player,” Rich says.
About 90 per cent of players practised even in the snow and that in itself says a lot, she says.
“The players grew to be close friends and were always having fun,” Rich says.
“They never gave up, even when the scoreboard read zero for the Renegades.
“They always gave it their all until the bittersweet end of the season.”
Despite a losing record in the regular season, the Renegades got a bonus.
“Making it to the playoffs was wonderful and we enjoyed the extended season and journey that came with it,” Rich says.
The Renegades and Outlaws look forward to a stronger season next year.
“We have plans on more community support throughout all schools we recruit from and are hoping for more interested players,” Rich says.
“Some of our senior alumni players want to come back and coach next season alongside us and we are so proud of them for making football a part of their future into adulthood and giving back to the community volunteering.”
She says she and assistant coach Larkin Stokes were very impressed with the three graduating players returning to coach the Renegades.
“It proved to be powerful to have those players still out on the field as coaches,” Rich says.
“We are all looking forward to spring training to grow together more and bring in more players.”
“The biggest thing that will give us strength in future numbers is community support, positive feedback and school support in which we have been very lucky to have in all principals across the board this year,” Rich concludes.
