By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

waiting game

Despite pandemic-delayed season, Bucs still supporting community

Mar 28, 2020 | 2:28 PM

The Central Alberta Buccaneers would be gearing up for another Alberta Football League season right now, if it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setters Place in Red Deer, the Bucs’ home turf, is currently shut down, as are all rec facilities in the province. In Red Deer, the closures are in effect until at least June 30.

The AFL season, which typically runs May to August, is facing a delay until June at the earliest, or possibly into July, says Vince Roth, Bucs president.

Worst case scenario, he says, is the season gets cancelled, but they aren’t there yet.

“If the situation, being as fluid as it is, doesn’t improve, we’ll have to discuss other options,” he fears, noting they have contingency plans for five and six-game seasons.

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

2h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

2h ago

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

20h ago

“Emotionally it would be a pretty big hit because we all play the game at this stage in our lives strictly for the love of it. To have that taken away would just suck and there’s no way of sugarcoating it.”

Roth says the situation is complicated further because most if not all sponsors are putting a pause on supporting AFL teams until the pandemic ends.

The league had five teams last season based in Red Deer, Airdrie, Fort McMurray, Calgary and Cold Lake, and was set to welcome two more in Grande Prairie and Edmonton. The Buccaneers in the Alberta Football League final to the Calgary Wolfpack 30-26 at McMahon Stadium in August.

But the Bucs’ work isn’t completely wiped out as Roth notes they continue to support the community however they can do so safely.

Namely, the club is partnering with the Red Deer Titans rugby club to promote blood donation. The two teams are competing over the next two weeks (Mar. 30-Apr. 11) to see who can have more donations made in their respective team’s name.

Normally the Bucs would do a team blood donation, but cannot at this time due to restrictions on mass gatherings.

Appointments can be made at Blood.ca, by downloading the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1-888-2DONATE, and when you do so, make sure to mention the Bucs’ name.