Riders find silver lining in CFL protocol rules
Public health restrictions lifted in Saskatchewan July 11, but the CFL is keeping a layer of precaution throughout Riders’ training camp.
After completing a seven-day quarantine before hitting the field with their teammates, players are still required to keep themselves distanced. The team is only allowed to move the players from their dorms to the stadium and then back.
Head coach Craig Dickenson said it’s a concern for every one when it comes to being able to build.a team bond.
“It’s a challenge this year to build chemistry, stay within the COVID guidelines – which we’re working very hard to do – and still put a good team on the field,” said Dickenson.
He added he would like to be able to take the team for an afternoon of fellowship at the bowling alley, or to get them off their feet at the pool, but those type of team bonding activities are off the table with the current guidelines.
“We’re not complaining, that’s just the reality of it, but those are things that bring teams together,” said Dickenson.
On the other hand, the players are finding a silver lining in the arrangement.
Quarterback Mason Fine said having these restrictions in place makes you focus on the game a little more.
“… You can’t go out, you just go back to your dorm and what are you going to do? You’re going to be on your laptop and watch Netflix, yeah, but you’re probably going to look at your playbook a little bit more,” said Fine/
Reciever Ricardo Louis said you can also find him in the playbook.
“I’m here, I’m in the dorms and the only thing I can think about is football and just getting better and making this team,” he said.
Using their time wisely, the players said they are trying to become the best players they can be.
“I”m just waking up everyday, following the schedule, doing what my coaches ask, trying to be the best player I can be for this team and doing what needs to be done,” said Fine.
Dickenson said he hopes the players are meshing and gelling well on their own, despite the lack of group outings.
The players are also asked to not visit each other’s rooms at the dorms, but they’re still finding ways to keep in touch.
“We have still texts, we still have group messages and FaceTime. We can still do that… [we’re] finding ways to communicate and learn the playbook together,” explained Louis.
Dickenson said the players are giving up a lot to be here, and they are all in the same boat fighting the good fight together.
“Hopefully when we start playing games and guys start seeing the fruits of their labour on the field, it will all be worth it in the end,” said Dickenson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.