Burlington Braves open pre-season camp and quest for CJFL title

Braves start pre-season camp

The quest for the national Canadian junior football championship hit a major milestone on Sunday, with the first practice of training camp for the Burlington Braves.

Based on the Braves 2011 summer workout program (OST’s) the Braves opened camp with approx 67 players working towards making the final roster of 55.

“ I expect a very competitive camp and I’m very impressed with the talent level from both the vets and a large number of the recruits.” said head coach Neil Lumsden. “ We want the players to make it tough on the coaches when it comes to making the final roster decisions.”

Lumsden will have help form a roster of experienced and specialized coaches :

Matt Garner – Offensive Coordinator
Mike Macdonald – Offensive Line Coach
Joe Wade – Offensive Line Coach
Dan Brannagan Sr. – Quarterbacks Coach
Richard Rebiere – Wide Receivers Coach

Jack Lumsden – Special Teams & Running Backs

Coach Dave Stipe – Defensive Coordinator
Mike Samples – Defensive Line & Fronts Coach
Greg Butler – Defensive Back Coach

The team will be practising five days a week to get ready for the season opener August 26 against local rival Hamilton Hurricanes, game time is 7:30pm.

The rest of the schedule is :

Game 2 at Hamilton Hurricanes, Ivor Wynne Sept 2 at 7:30pm
Game 3 at London Beefeaters TD Waterhouse field Sept 9 at 8pm
Game 4 vs Windsor, Nelson Sept 18 at 5pm
Game 5 vs Brampton, Nelson Sept 25 at 5pm
Game 6 at St Leonard , Stade Hebert October 1 at 7pm
Game 7 at Kitchener, Knight Newbrough Stadium October 8 at 7pm
Game 8 vs Ottawa, Nelson, October 16 at 5pm

The Burlington Braves were formed by a group of local businessmen in 1958. When Hamilton Ti Cat great, Bernie Custis moved to head coach in 1965 he created a passion for excellence which is the legacy perpetuated by the alumni of players, coaches and board members.