The Saskatchewan Roughriders hosted about 400 inner-city kids for an afternoon of learning football skills at Mosaic Stadium.
Students from Albert, Kitchener, Sacred Heart and Seven Stones schools were able to take part in the event, which saw several Rider players lead drills for kids to take part in.
Rider Quarterback Cody Fajardo said he had opportunities like this when he was a kid that he still thinks about to this day.
“You’re a young kid, and you look at these guys as superstars, then all of a sudden, you get close to them, you talk to them, you get personal with the person and you’re like ‘oh, I put him on this pedestal but they’re just like me,’” Fajardo said. “That’s what I want the kids to know, is that there’s hope no matter what their situation is at home, you got a chance to make it out and do something great with your life.”
Director of Operations for Football Saskatchewan Mike Thomas said it gives kids exposure to the game.
“It gives them an opportunity to see what football is all about, to have an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of these guys that they see highlights of,” Thomas said. “Obviously with the way the team is playing right now, that’s on T.V. quite a bit, and potentially they’re their heroes, and (they have) aspirations to potentially be a player some day.”
The schools serve as feeder schools for Scott Collegiate in Regina’s north central neighbourhood, where families may not get the chance to watch games from the stands.
Scott Collegiate Principal Mike Tomchuk said this is the first year of the event.
“Opportunities like this mean so much to our kids and the community,” Tomchuck said. “Anything that we can do and partner with the various groups and stakeholders, it’s amazing.”
The hope is to make this an annual event.
