Although a scholarship has taken some of the sting out of not playing football, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 fill the void nearly enough for Riley Scheffer.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the only thing thatB次元官网网址檚 stopped me from going crazy,B次元官网网址� said the Belmont Bulldogs player regarding the recent news heB次元官网网址檚 earned a scholarship to the University of British Columbia. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e doing some practice (with the Bulldogs) now, but itB次元官网网址檚 weird with the COVID protocols. I really miss playing the game 100 per cent.B次元官网网址�
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While the pandemic has cast a shadow over the prospect of games with the UBC Thunderbirds next year, the 17-year-old Belmont Secondary student can take some solace in the fact the scholarship is guaranteed, whether next season proceeds or not. Scheffer will focus on his kinesiology courses once the school year begins in September, with an eye toward becoming a physiotherapist.
B次元官网网址淯BC is the perfect fit for me,B次元官网网址� explained the Langford resident. B次元官网网址淚t offers a great kinesiology program, top-notch coaching, and it allows me to stay close to home for my family.B次元官网网址�
Scheffer would gladly put a career in physiotherapy on hold, however, if the opportunity to play professional football presents itself.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l have a better understanding of whether I have what it takes to play pro once IB次元官网网址檝e competed at the college level,B次元官网网址� he said.
His coach, Alexis Sanschagrin, was quick to list some of the qualities Scheffer brings to the game.
B次元官网网址淎t six-foot-four and 275 pounds, Riley has the ideal body type for a lineman,B次元官网网址� said Sanschagrin, who has been with the Bulldogs since 2011, serving as head coach since 2014. B次元官网网址淩iley offers a lot more than sheer size. UBC is getting an athletic, quality young man. I look forward to seeing Riley continue his football journey and I am confident he will be successful at the next level.B次元官网网址�
Scheffer was an integral part of the 2018 junior varsity team that went to the provincial championship in 2018, where his play at both defensive end and offensive tackle earned him the Outstanding Lineman Award.
Many of the players from that team are part of the varsity squad now, Sanschagrin noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fantastic group. Another player from that team has generated some concrete offers, and I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be surprised if we have more kids offered scholarships.B次元官网网址�
Sanschagrin believes there is still a small window of opportunity that the Bulldogs will be able to get some games in this season although the chances are slim, and competition would be limited to playing two Vancouver Island teams. B次元官网网址淭his would have been the last week of the regular season,B次元官网网址� he lamented. B次元官网网址淲e would be getting ready for the playoffs now under normal circumstances.B次元官网网址�
Scheffer said the frustration of not being able to play is difficult for players from the 2018 team, especially after coming within one win of a junior varsity championship. B次元官网网址淚t really motivated the members of that team to win at the varsity level.B次元官网网址�
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In the meantime, heB次元官网网址檚 excited about the scholarship and the opportunity to play for UBC. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 grateful to my parentsB次元官网网址 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be able to participate without them. IB次元官网网址檝e learned something from every coach I played for, and IB次元官网网址檓 grateful for that as well.B次元官网网址�
In the meantime, at least Scheffer has a little more time to pursue his other passions, including learning languages.
B次元官网网址淪panish is pretty close to done and IB次元官网网址檓 working on Mandarin now.B次元官网网址�
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