After a slight delay, Cochrane Minor Football is opening its spring camps this weekend and thrilled to be able to once again hold full practices and return to league play in August.

There remains an opportunity for parents to register their youth for their atom, peewee, and bantam teams, and a solid core of certified coaches are available at each level.

Seth Henderson has stepped back from the Cochrane High Cobras team and is heading up the atoms division for youth ages 8 to 10.

Before the Cobras, he coached bantam football in St. Paul for five years and says he's passionate about minor football.

"I'm excited to coach young kids. I've spent the last little bit of time coaching high school, and I'm excited to move down and see what it's like to coach the kids, who I don't experience on a daily basis as a high school teacher."

He is focusing on developing a strong entry-level program to assist in making the sport sustainable. His children will be entering the Lions program in a few years.

"One of my goals is not only to coach the kids but to help out the local community and the people who are interested to volunteer to coach to help make them good coaches as well."

He believes atoms provide youth the opportunity to learn basic skills and develop an understanding of commitment, fundamentals, and leadership skills. Coming out of the pandemic, he says it's a chance to provide them with a sense of accomplishment again, with a little bit of struggle that will help them learn to win and lose.

Through it all, he says fun remains the number one priority.

Henderson wants to ensure there is equal playing time for all the players, and a chance to experience every position on defense and offense.

"Then when they move up to peewees and bantams, they know what every position is like, and they'll be able to pick and choose as they move up through the levels."

Interested youth still have the opportunity to sign up, and Henderson says they always welcome adults who would like to help coach.

Cochrane Minor Football says they can accommodate 40 players. If they exceed that, an attempt will be made to field a second atoms team.

Peewees, ages 10 to 12, and bantams, ages 13-15, are limited to 40 players. If there are too many players, evaluations will need to occur.

The Bantams held some workouts leading up to this weekend. Head coach Mike Dangerfield says they're excited that all the restrictions have been lifted.

The bantams start their camp this Friday night under the lights at the Spray Lake Legacy Sports Field. That same night the players and parents will meet the team's new mental fitness coach for the first time. There are two practices Saturday and a final one on Sunday morning. 

Dangerfield says they offer a couple of options for those wanting to participate in the camp. They can sign up for the entire season ($525) or pay a $50 insurance fee to participate in the camp to give football a try.

For those signing up for the entire season, payment plans are available, and there's also the option to seeking assistance through the Jumpstart program.

During league play, the bantams are allowed to dress 36 players for a game. Dangerfield says they will also keep a practice squad to draw upon for games. Being on the practice roster also provides an opportunity for those brand new to the sport to develop their skills.

"All indications show that we're going to play all of the CBFA teams, we're going to have 12-player football, and we're going to have a regular and playoff season," says Dangerfield.

Dangerfield is in his third year of coaching, and he's impressed with the coaching staff and the number of volunteers who have stepped forward to help with the team.

"We've got a dynamite coaching staff this year. It's six or seven coaches with a lot of experience and we've been working our butts off in the offseason taking all the NCCP and safe contact courses, so their credentials are really great. They're going to do a fantastic job for us."

Tyler Zunti is returning as head coach of the peewee team. He's known for his passion for the sport and helping youth develop their football skills. The peewee camp starts Friday night and runs into Sunday.

The Peewee and Bantam season will begin in the first week of August. The Atom season will begin in the third week of August.

For more information on minor football or to register your children or offer to volunteer, visit here.