ugai on year two with Team Alberta

After two talent ID camps, and coming out on top of 325 participants, Raymond native Bobby Sugai was selected as the Team Alberta Football South Team Defensive Line, for the second year in a row.

“It was fierce, of course, we were playing against the best in Alberta,” said Sugai of the competition at the camps this year. “I think all the skills I learned last year helped me, it was probably the best thing I learned, or gave me the best advantage. I knew all the techniques they wanted me to do and I applied them.”

The camps, which were held over two weeks in April, were hosted in Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton and Lacombe. The final selection camp was held between May 9 to 11, where the final 40 were selected and will compete in the Football Canada Cup, this July in Saskatoon.

“Last year we made it to the finals and narrowly lost to Quebec, which has happened the past couple years now,” said Sugai of last year’s final match. “I don’t want to lose. I can’t lose again because this is my last year with Team Alberta.”

For the last three consecutive years Team Alberta has been to the National Championship Game in the tournament, and has been runner up to Team Quebec each time. All players selected in the camps come from grades 10 or 11, in their respective schools.

Sugai, who is in Grade 11 at Raymond High School, is currently looking forward to the training and the camp in Red Deer at Notre Dame High School coming up, prior to the final.

“After that the Team Alberta main camp is from July 1 to 4th at the University of Alberta,” he said. “Then from there we go to the Canada Cup. I think we play New Brunswick first, again and then after that it’s just who wins or loses.”

By basing his training around speed, Sugai will ensure Alberta is the first to the ball.

“I feel like this year we are more gelled already. Even at the mini camps everybody was talking, and last year everyone had that chip on their shoulder and was snobby,” Sugai said of the camaraderie. “Everybody is making friends really fast.”

After competing in the Canda Cup Sugai plans to focus on his senior year, both academically and on the Raymond Comets football team.

“I can’t wait to get out there are start playing football again, and expose myself to some universities and hopefully put on a show,” Sugai said of his senior year with the Comets.

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