Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.
The Red Deer Steelers, Peewee provincial champions in 12-A-Side Tier lll football. The Steelers defeated the Bonnyville Renegades 34-12 in Bonnyville on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (Supplied)
Steelers 34, Bonnyville Renegades 12

Red Deer Steelers win Tier lll provincial championship

Nov 14, 2022 | 4:37 PM

Red Deer Minor Football (RDMF) is celebrating a provincial championship victory over the weekend.

The Peewee Steelers defeated the Bonnyville Renegades in Bonnyville, 34-12 on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Head Coach Martin Rheaume says the championship win felt awesome.

“I won’t lie, but not so much in winning the trophy and the medals, but to see the players see the result of their hard work from the season and playoffs is the real reward,” he exclaimed. “All of us coaches cannot be any prouder of their accomplishment.”

Rheaume admits, a provincial championship victory is not what he envisioned at the start of the season.

“This was my first year coaching this level. At first, it felt more like herding cats than anything,” laughs Rheaume. “But slowly and surely, the players bought into what we were trying to build. We had some close games where we had to battle through to get the win.”

“We lost one game pretty badly,” he continues. “But, we persevered, learned from our mistakes, adjusted when we needed to and moved forward, always moving. Everything was done as a team. As the season progressed, I started to believe that we can go far into the playoffs.”

Rheaume attributes his team’s success this season to five key components.

“First, I am very thankful and blessed that all of the coaches shared the same philosophy: we coach kids,” he explains. “We wanted to ensure that every player on our team would be successful in the position they were playing. If they were successful, they would have fun. That is key.”

“Second, parent support,” says Rheaume. “The parents came out in droves to practices, not just games. This was new to me. I was impressed. If we needed help, the parents would be there in no time to help with anything the team needed.”

“Third, says Rheaume, the support we had from Red Deer Minor Football was above and beyond what I expected. They worked hard to find us indoor facilities to practice in, provided us with all necessary equipment to help improve the skills of all players and the list goes on.”

“Fourth, adds Rheaume, our managers. Val Gill and Tania Diletzoy, were incredible. They took care of all team business, which in turn allowed the coaches to focus on our players.”

“Finally, the players,” says Rheaume. “They wanted to learn this great team sport. They wanted to be pushed to the best of their abilities. They worked hard together, believed in each other, had fun together. Like five fingers forms one hand, these five crucial elements formed a successful team.”

He points out, however, that both he and his fellow coaches are most proud of their team’s growth, and their journey in football.

“Earlier, I jokingly said that it was like herding cats. They were just individual players coming together to learn and play football,” says Rheaume. “Through the season though, they gelled and slowly became a team. They understood the importance of working as a team. They won as a team and lost as a team. They never stopped believing in the team. This was a very special group of kids and we are excited to see what they will do next.”

“I am very thankful to have been part of this team’s journey,” says Rheaume. “I count myself lucky and blessed to have gotten to know these players and to see them grow in the sport of football. This team will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter here. You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.