Argos set new course for training camp

Injuries caused by York’s turf have convinced club to move to University of Guelph

The Toronto Argonauts are moving their training camp to Guelph to protect the knees and backs of both players and coaches.

There were too many complaints about injuries on York University’s turf last season, Jim Barker said Tuesday. But the Argos general manager admitted he did not know of any scientific proof that York’s turf is harder on the knees than the turf at Alumni Stadium in Guelph.

“Who knows? Maybe it’s psychological, to be honest,” Barker said on a conference call. “I have no idea because the tests indicate they should wear the same on people’s knees. But for whatever reason, knees and backs . . . we had coaches with back issues and media guys with back issues. That was really the crux of the decision. Even though the field at York is high end, it hurt our players’ legs.”

FieldTurf, a U.S.-based company, was responsible for installing the turf at both schools. Several NFL teams play on FieldTurf, including the New England Patriots, according to the company’s website.

Barker said the new ownership group was specific in making sure the team had the best preparation. Bell Canada and Larry Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, reached a deal to buy the team from David Braley last May.

“One of the things the new ownership said, when they came in, was that training camp is about one thing, and that’s getting your team ready,” Barker said.

Former Guelph university players now with the Argos were consulted on the decision. CFL draft picks Dan MacDonald and Cam Walker, and long snapper Jake Reinhart, are former Gryphons.

A few years ago, Alumni Stadium received an anonymous $1.5-million donation to pay for the new synthetic turf field. In addition to a turf field, the facility in Guelph also has a grass field that the Argos will use every three days or so. York University also has a grass field that was used by the Argos part time.

Scott McRoberts, director of athletics at Guelph, said having the Argos there for a month is “a great opportunity” to display the school’s field and facilities. The players will not be staying in typical dorm rooms. They will be housed in spacious townhouses with kitchens directly across the street from the football venue.

The Argos previously held training camp at the University of Guelph between 1978 and 1995.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Barker said of the change of venues, “because we had been in Mississauga and we finally got back to Toronto. York were great hosts to us. Obviously, it would be a lot easier for everybody if we were in Toronto, but it just didn’t work out that way.”

The Argos GM said the team is committed to Guelph for one year only and said other facilities were considered.

The CFL team’s training camp kicks off with a three-day rookie camp that includes veteran quarterbacks and first-year players beginning on May 25. All other veterans will report three days later.

The team also announced that it will hold its rookie free agent camp at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from April 24-26. The camp will feature players that are under contract entering their first CFL season, negotiation list players and invited free agents.

The team’s home opener is June 23.