Plans are coming together for Eastman Raiders Football, and President Gavin Don is working on various options for this year.

While he is eager to get the ball rolling on training camps and planning for the season, Don is waiting for more details from Football Manitoba to find out what will be allowed as the province has moved into Level Green on the Pandemic Response System.

“Hopefully we're going to get some football this year,” he says.

Pre-registration is open right now. While they wait to find out if they’ll be playing tackle football this year, Don encourages people to register now, adding they have the option to withdraw in the event that tackle football will be postponed this year.

“So, exactly what we’re offering this year is still up in the air,” he admits.

But that is not stopping Don from planning options that will keep players active while learning important skills for football.

Skills camp has many benefits, but Don wants to offer more.

“The skills camp is running around jumping over things, catching balls and such. But there's no equipment involved,” he says. “What I want to do this year is get kids in equipment and to tackling the tackle bags in equipment. As soon as Football Manitoba says that we can go back to contact, then we'll have the kids tackling each other.”

Don is also hopeful that they will have enough players, and the blessing from Football Manitoba, to start up interclub play. Around 36 players are required to form four teams.

“And then we can play within the club those teams can play against each other,” he explains. Whatever the direction, Don is enthusiastic about the season and he is getting creative in finding meaningful ways for players to get something valuable out of the season.