QUFL Football: Training camps open Aug. 14

Aug. 11, 2010
MONTREAL — Hundreds of gridiron players will don their shoulder pads and helmets for the first time this season when the six teams of the Quebec University Football League (QUFL) open their respective training camps this Saturday.

Over the coming weeks, teams will be studying playbooks, game film and practicing in preparation for the 2010 season that kicks-off at on Sept. 2 when the Sherbrooke Vert & Or travel to Montreal to take on the Carabins on the new turf at CEPSUM Stadium. McGill opens their pre-season with an exhibition game on Aug. 28 in Toronto against the Varsity Blues.

Each team will play nine regular season games in 2010, one more than in previous campaigns. The top-four teams in the QUFL standings at the end of the season qualify for the Dunsmore Cup playoffs beginning with the semi-final round on Nov. 6. The championship final will be contested a week later on Nov. 13.

Like a year ago, the race to the playoffs should come down to the wire in 2010. Last season, fans were treated to a hotly-contested race with the final two playoff berths being decided on the last day of the campaign.

The QUFL has seen an increase in parity on the field in recent years as the league thrives in its production of elite football players. Last spring, 10 QUFL players were selected in the Canadian Football League college draft and despite having four fewer teams than its Ontario counterpart, the QUFL tied the OUA for the most players drafted into the pro ranks.

From coast-to-coast
For the second consecutive season, football fans across Canada will be able to watch a QUFL game of the week, as Radio-Canada (also known as SRC) returns as the official French-language television and web broadcaster of the conference. SRC will air nine regular season games, including the Sept. 18 interlocking match-up between the Saint Mary’s University Huskies and the Laval Rouge et Or. Exclusive post-season coverage includes the league semi-finals and the Dunsmore Cup.

The network’s schedule continues with the CIS national semifinal bowl games on Nov. 20 and culminates with the 2010 Desjardins Vanier Cup from Quebec City on Nov. 27.

The play-by-play tandem of announcer Jean St-Onge and analyst Jacques Dussault return for their second season behind the microphone on Radio-Canada and will broadcast the QUFL games, beginning with the season opening telecast between the powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or and up-and-coming McGill Redmen on Sunday Sept. 5 at 2 p.m.

All other games on Radio-Canada air Saturdays at 1 pm.
Complete QUFL game and broadcast schedule

NOTE TO MEDIA
This season, the Quebec Student Sport Federation will release a team-by-team preview beginning on Monday, August 23. Here is the release schedule:

August 23: Sherbrooke Vert & Or
August 24: Montréal Carabins
August 25: Bishop’s Gaiters
August 26: Concordia Stingers
August 27: McGill Redmen
August 28: Laval Rouge et Or

Team-by-Team Training Camp Schedule & Media Contacts
Bishop’s University Gaiters
Practice Schedule (Coulter Field)
August 18, 20, 21: 9 am – 1 pm
August 23 -27: 9 am – 1 pm
August 28: 9 – 11 am
August 30 – September 2: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
September 3: 3 – 5 pm
Media Availability
During training camp, coaches and student-athletes are generally available to the media after the daily practice session. Interviews at other times may be arranged, on 24 hours notice. Interview requests must be made through John Edwards at the Sports Information Office.
For information and to schedule interviews:
John Edwards, 819-822-9600, Ext. 2507, [email protected]

Concordia Stingers
Practice Schedule
August 14-15: 4 – 8:30 pm
August 16: 4 – 6:30 pm
August 17-18: 4 to 8:30 pm
August 19: 4 – 6:30 pm
August 20: 4 – 8:30 pm
August 21: 1 – 4 pm – Scrimmage (Vanier & FX Garneau)
August 23: 4 – 7 pm
August 24: 4 – 8:30 pm
August 25: 4 – 5:30 pm
August 27-28: 4 – 6:30 pm
August 30-September 1: 6-8 pm
September 2: 4:30 – 6:30 pm
September 3: 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Pre-season game:
August 26: Guelph University at Concordia, 12 pm (Concordia Stadium)
For information and to schedule interviews:
Catherine Grace, 514-848-2424, Ext. 3862, [email protected]
Laval Rouge et Or

Practice Schedule (PEPS)
August 14: 8:30 – 1 – 4 pm
August 15: 8:30 – 11:30 am & 3 – 5:30 pm
August 16: 8:30 – 11 am
August 17: 8:30 – 11:30 am & 3 – 5:30 pm
August 18: 8:30 – 11:30 am & 3 – 5:30 pm
August 19: 8:30 – 11 am
August 20: 8:30 – 11:30 am & 3 – 5:30 pm
August 21: 3 – 4:30 pm
August 23-27: 3:30 – 6 pm
August 28: 9 – 11:30 am

Pre-season game:
August 29: York University at Laval, 1 pm (PEPS Stadium)
Media Availability:
During training camp, athletes and coaches will be available for a maximum of 30-minutes after the morning and evening training sessions. To request a coach interview at another time, please contact the communications office.

For information and to schedule interviews:
Jérôme Pelletier, 418-656-5292, [email protected]

McGill Redmen

Practice Schedule
August 14-15: 1 – 3 pm
August 16-17: 5 – 7 pm
August 18: 6 – 8 pm
August 19: 8 pm
August 20: 5-7 pm
August 21: 12:30 pm
August 22: 12:30 pm – Scrimmage
August 24-26: 4:30 pm
August 27: 9:30 am

Pre-season game:
August 28 : McGill at University of Toronto, 1 pm
For information and to schedule interviews:
Earl Zukerman, 514-398-7012, [email protected]

Montréal Carabins
Practice Schedule (CEPSUM):
August 14-15: 12:30 – 5 pm
August 16-20: 6:30 – 8:45 pm
August 21-22: 12:30 – 5 pm
August 23-27: 6:30 – 8:45 pm
August 28: 4 – 6:30 pm

NOTE: Regular practice schedule begins August 30:
Monday-Friday: 6:30 – 8:45 pm

Media Availability:
Coaches and players are available for interviews as per normal policies. Media are asked to contact the sports information office to arrange interviews.

For information and to schedule interviews:
Benoit Mongeon, 514-343-6458, [email protected]

Sherbrooke Vert & Or
Practice Schedule :
August 14-19: 9 – 12 pm (artificial surface)
August 20: 10 am – Scrimmage (artificial surface)
August 22: 6-8:30 pm (artificial surface)
August 23-24 : 6-8:30 pm (University of Sherbrooke Stadium)

Pre-season game:
August 25 : University of Ottawa vs University of Sherbrooke, 18h30, (University of Sherbrooke Stadium)
For information and to schedule interviews:
Pascal Morin, 819-821-8000 Ext. 62599, [email protected]

La Fédération québécoise du sport étudiant assure la promotion et le développement du sport et de l’activité physique en milieu étudiant, de l’initiation jusqu’au sport de haut niveau. Elle favorise ainsi l’éducation, la réussite scolaire et la santé des jeunes.

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Source : Mylène Vézina – Fédération québécoise du sport étudiant
[email protected] – 514-252-3300 poste 3453 – www.sportetudiant.com