Justin Dunk
Ticats.ca
Five Ticats ventured to Canada’s East Coast during the team’s bye week to help teach young football players some new skills. Marwan Hage, Justin Medlock, Justin Hickman and Canadian defensive backs Michael Carter and Ryan Hinds are spreading the Ticats colours in the Maritimes this week, and they have been welcomed with open arms.
Hamilton has been designated as the home team for the 2011 edition of the Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic contest taking place in Moncton on September 25.
“The people are friendly out here and they’re pretty excited about that fact that they have CFL guys out here. We’ve met a lot of Ticats fans since we have been here, so it’s been a very positive reception,” Hinds said.
Along with helping to grow the grass roots level of football out East, the trip has helped to increase the interest and media attention surrounding the contest between the Calgary Stampeders and the Ticats.
”It seems like people out here love the Ticats,” Hinds said. “I feel like coming out here and doing these camps, we’re making fans out of a lot of people.”
Of course a trip to Canada’s East Coast would not be complete without a sampling of some fresh Atlantic seafood.
“The seafood, they don’t lie, it is every bit as good as they say it is,” Hinds said. “We tasted it on the first day, we had to get some.”
The group of Ticats players will have seen many young football players, coaching at four different skills camps while on their East Coast trip.
“I always have fun working with kids and teaching them,” Hinds said. “You come out and you see the level of talent and the potential that these kids have and you want to help them work to where they want to be.”
“It’s exciting for the kids to see some pro players. Especially for them to see guys like myself and Michael Carter who are Canadian. They’re seeing these guys who were once in their shoes. So it makes that possibility seem even more viable an option, that they can really become professional football players in the CFL.”
It is Hinds’ first visit to the Martimes, one that he seems to be relishing.
“This is the first time I have ever been out to the east coast. I get to see a part of Canada that I have never had a chance to see,” he said. “I’m having a blast out here.”
Hinds can see the interest in the CFL growing in the Eastern part of Canada right before his own eyes.
“I know that the interest is growing. A lot of people we have met out here, they really loved the game that was here last year and they’re even more excited about the game that is coming up this year,” he said.
“It’s a great way to spend the bye week. I’m glad I came out East.”
