You probably have never heard of Ron Dias, even if you follow Canadian amateur football closely. If you are a Canadian or American university or college coach, however, youB次元官网网址檙e probably very familiar with Dias and the work he does.
B次元官网网址淚 call myself the most known unknown football evaluator in Canada,B次元官网网址� said Dias, who has been establishing a great rapport with university coaches in Canada during the past 29 years.
This year marks DiasB次元官网网址� first trip to Langford for a clinic with the Westshore Rebels coaches, and he was impressed with what heB次元官网网址檚 seen.
B次元官网网址淟angfordB次元官网网址檚 done a tremendous job in building first class infrastructure, and IB次元官网网址檓 hearing the support for the team is great,B次元官网网址� he said.
Dias runs a central scouting agency from his home in Conestogo, Ontario and is a driving force behind the Alberta and British Columbia Border Bowl annual game for promising players from Grade 6 to 12. Players vie for spots on four teams; the Young stars for Grades 6 and 7, the Future Stars for Grades 8 and 9, the Rising Stars for Grades 10 and 11, and the Current Stars for Grade 12.
The players are selected from camps, such as the one Dias attended last week at Westhills Stadium in Langford, where players workout under the watchful eyes of ABC Border Bowl scouts and coaches from the Rebels.
The players who make the best impression will play a game in Chilliwack in December for further evaluation. With those coming out on top, competing in Abbotsford on May 14 and 15, and again at UBC-Okanagan May 27 before the ABC Bowl game on May 28. Players from Alberta and B.C. go through the same process, and all teams are monitored closely to ensure there is equal practice time.
One of the key elements to why the ABC Border Bowl game is such a good evaluation tool, Dias said, is the partnership he has forged with VBN Sports (Virtual Broadcast Network). B次元官网网址淭heir use of three camera angles, a play by play commentator and colour analyst gives the video a real professional feel. ItB次元官网网址檚 a great scouting tool for coaches.B次元官网网址�
Dias cites a quarterback from Delta who played in last yearB次元官网网址檚 game as an example of how well the program works. B次元官网网址淢cGill UniversityB次元官网网址檚 coach saw the video and called to get his contact info, even though the kid is only in Grade 9. ItB次元官网网址檚 tremendous exposure for community and high school players.B次元官网网址�
Although the teams play American-style four down football, the rules are the same as Canadian football. B次元官网网址淭he four downs ensures that the kids get more reps,B次元官网网址� Diaz explained during a break at Westhills Stadium.
The qualities Dias looks for in players are attitude, enthusiasm and passion. B次元官网网址淎re the kids working with coaches, are they hustling,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淒oes the kid look you in the eye? ThatB次元官网网址檚 very important to me in this environment.B次元官网网址�
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
