The St. Albert U16 49ers aim to be one of the best minor football teams in the province in the upcoming season. And the 49ers believe their high expectations are warranted, because they have done it before.
Minor football in St. Albert has created a unique system that allows players to grow together. Players and coaches stay with a team from U13 to U16, allowing teams to play and develop as a cohesive unit. The 49ers have played together the past three or four seasons, and have been coached by Martin Quirk for the past two. The 2024 season will be his third as head coach.
Quirk was quick to explain why he is so confident in his team this season.
"This is a veteran team, and a very developed team," he said. "We're well-rounded on offence and defence. We're aggressive and tenacious on defence, and have lots of speed on offence."
Winning is something familiar to the 49ers.
They won a U13 provincial championship in the 2022 season, as well as going 3-0 at the Leduc Jamboree this past June. However, Quirk isn't going to let him team look ahead, but instead strives to keep their focus on the present.
"The team needs to take it day by day and week by week," Quirk said. "We need to continue to grow and develop. Then, at the end of the season, hopefully we are where we want to be."
Training camp for the 49ers was supposed to start Tuesday, Aug. 6, but was delayed by a day because of poor air quality. The team will practise for three weeks before attending a "tiering" jamboree on Aug. 24. This jamboree will decide what skill levels or tiers each team should be placed in. The 49ers are hoping to participate in Tier 1, the highest tier.
The football season will begin Labour Day weekend, but the schedule will not be out until after the jamboree on Aug. 24. For more information on the upcoming 49ers season, visit their website.
