The Grande Prairie Drillers have started practicing for the upcoming season and have a new head coach leading them. Warren Kiland is new to Grande Prairie, but brings a wealth of experience in the sport. He went to the University of Hawaii on a full football scholarship and was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in 1975.
“Until I hurt my knee, and then I started high school and community football coaching for the last 10, 15 years. I guess if I was a few years younger I might want to play, but I still have that itch every year and as long as I enjoy it I want to be involved at any level.”
Kiland moved to the city for work but made it to a few games last season as a spectator. Based on the practices he’s been at so far, he sees the players as enthusiastic, which he says is key for a community team.
“When you’re playing sports, and football specifically, you learn a lot of respect for other people; you learn how to develop your leadership skills; you work as a team. Those are the kind of things that really bring out your inner strength and make a good team.”
The Drillers practice Thursdays at the Crosslink County Sportsplex and are in need of linemen. They have had issues recruiting and retaining players over the past couple of years and have until March 1st to let the Alberta Football League know if they’ll be fielding a team. Kiland says they’re seeing 25 to 35 guys out at practices.