The Tioga Bulldogs Athletic Program hosted its fourth annual youth football camp for area kids in kindergarten- sixth grade June 2-3.
The two-day event held at Bulldog Stadium taught the young athletes mechanics and techniques for running routes, catching passes and kicking the football, concluding with the participants competing in a 40yard dash, punt, kick and pass competition.
“A couple years ago, we changed the camp to the last week of school to kick off summer while everybody is still in town with some football, so it’s great to see these kids, teach them some basics of the game, watch them compete, and have them rolling into the summer with a little fun and excitement,” said Zach Birdwell, Tioga athletic director and head football coach.
The camp opened with the participants divided up by age groups, with Birdwell and his coaching staff providing hands-on instructions in a variety of football-related drills.
The groups learned how to run routes and catch passes like wide receivers, cover like defensive backs, throw passes like quarterbacks and punt the football.
After a day of practicing their skills, Day 2 saw the campers put them to the test in competitions to see who could run the fastest 40yard dash and throw and kick a football the farthest distance, with winners from each age group receiving certificates to commemorate their performance.
Camp participant Cole Sayer recently moved to Tioga Independent School District and will start fifth grade in the fall, and he said the event helped him meet some of his future classmates.
“I really liked coming out here and playing with a bunch of people, and [everyone] was really nice,” he said.
His mother, Christy Sayer, also spoke highly of the event.
“He was really excited to come out and work with the coaches and hopefully meet some kids that he'll be going to school with next year,” she said. “This was a great opportunity for him and my older son to have that chance to come out before school starts and meet everybody, and he really enjoyed it.”
Birdwell closed the event by presenting individual awards and bringing everyone together for a group photo.
“We want these kids to fall in love with sports here, and at this camp, we want them to fall in love with the game of football so that whenever their time comes in three or four years or with those little ones in 10, 11 or 12 years, they’re ready and excited to play for the Tioga Bulldogs on Friday night.”
