The Interlake Thunder Football Club is offering youth a free opportunity to learn the game of football this month.
On Saturday, May 17, the Thunder will host a free football development camp at Stonewall Collegiate, led by Thunder varsity head coach Christof Hasselfield and Thunder vice-president of football operations Kris Johnston.
The non-contact skills camp is open to youth aged eight to 13, regardless of prior experience with the sport.
The camp includes a free hotdog lunch and prize giveaways. Cleats are optional.
“We just want to allow kids the opportunity to come out and test the waters, so to speak — see what football might be all about for them,” said Johnston. “We also want to give returning players an opportunity to run around, have fun with their teammates, meet new potential teammates, make new friends — just have fun.
“We want it to be a pretty laid-back environment, knowing that new kids are going to be joining, and we don’t want to make it anything but fun and relaxed.”
The camp begins with a 90-minute group session introducing basic football skills, including stations for blocking, tackling, throwing, catching, running with the ball and defending a pass.
After the first session, players aged eight and nine will receive their free hot lunch. Players aged 10 to 13 will take a 30-minute break and a snack before heading back out for a second 90-minute session.
The second session will focus on positional skills, with players encouraged to try positions on both offence and defence.
Older players will receive their hotdog lunch after the second session.
The Thunder are working with Football Manitoba to ensure all participants are covered by insurance.
Johnston said a registration poster and sign-up link will be shared soon.
Camp schedule:
10–11:30 a.m. – First session (ages 8–13)
11:30 a.m.–Noon – Break and lunch
Noon–1:30 p.m. – Second session (ages 10–13)
