Riders fans happy to have training camp in town

Seasonal appearance by team has some supporters camping out near action

When it comes to Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp, Dale Avison and Lynanne Avison are truly happy campers.

The retired couple from Humboldt are spending their days in Saskatoon and living out of a camper. While they are here doing other stuff in Saskatoon, the “main reason we came to Saskatoon is to see Rider camp, and the Fan Day.”

Roughriders training camp continues until June 14 in Saskatoon with practices held at both SMF Field in the Gordie Howe Sports Complex and Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

“It’s great because it’s a lot of exposure for the Riders,” Dale Avison says of having the Riders in town.

“Because it’s a provincial team, it’s nice that they have this in Saskatoon every year. It gives a lot more access to the northern half of the province.”

Riders’ Fan Day on Saturday included such activities as facepainting, the Rider cheer team, Gainer the Gopher, drum line and inflatables.

A State-of-Rider-Nation address, including a fan forum, was also held prior to a controlled practice scrimmage and autograph session with all the players.

The Avisons have attended the camp for the last few years.

“It’s nice for us when it’s Gordie Howe because we can walk right over,” noted Dale Avison, adding that their camper is set up at the nearby Gordie Howe Campground.

“I like it here (SMF Field) better, too, because you can get a little closer to the players and hear better than at the university.”

Training camp continues Monday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium. The Riders will also practice there Tuesday through Friday (a shorter walkthrough) prior to their first preseason game Saturday at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium. Game-time is 7 p.m.

The following week, the Riders will hold three days of practices Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m.-11:15 a.m., at SMF Field prior to a second pre-season game Friday, June 14 at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C., against the B.C. Lions.

Riders receiver Bakari Grant says each day is “another day of practice and another day for us to get better. That’s No. 1: to try and make strides towards that season, towards those gains.”