Kent-Lambton Cougars Aim For Bigger and Better

Things are about to get bigger in Chatham-Kent when it comes to football, as the Chatham-Kent Cougars are making a step to increase numbers in their Junior Varsity and Varsity programs, and begin competing for championships.

In order to do so, the Cougars are rebranding as the Kent-Lambton Cougars, and will be focusing their recruiting efforts for the upcoming season on players from Blenheim to Sarnia.

“The last couple of years, our Varsity team struggled with numbers,” said Cougars president Selwyn Jordan on the need for a change.

“One of the player participation deterrents has been the cost to travel with the gas prices and the amount of time away with travel. Our goal here is to reduce the amount of travel to allow more players the opportunity play travel football to better their exposure in Ontario.”

To reduce travel, the Kent-Lambton Cougars’ main, full team practices will now be held in Wallaceburg, with satellite practices for players from each region in Chatham, Sarnia, Wallaceburg, Blenheim, and Petrolia throughout the week.

“At the satellite practice, players are going to be working on becoming better football players. They will practice the craft of blocking and tackling, they will do football conditioning, they will work on individual position groups,” explains Jordan.

“At the Main practice in Wallaceburg, the emphasis will be more of an aggregated team practice. We will work on the timing of our plays.”

With a reduced travel commitment, and practices closer to home for players throughout the week, Jordan hopes the newly defined Kent-Lambton Cougars football team can field a roster of close to 60 players and a dozen coaches.

To assist in the transition, the Cougars will also be working with University of Windsor Lancers coaches to develop a consistent playbook to be used across the satellite practices, to ensure when the team comes together at the main practice in Wallaceburg, and for games, they’ll be ready.

According to Jordan, he believes this new system will help the Cougars reach for championships at a higher level, and develop more players to more on to University and Junior football.

“I believe this is the formula we need to capture a Varsity Championship,” says Jordan. Our club has been able to win Ontario Peewee and Bantam championship, it is now time to make the necessary changes to win a JV and Varsity championship.”

With a new name, also comes a new look.

“We are looking to get new Cougar gear, jersey, and swag because we are excited about this new beginning.”

“Ultimately, we would like to bring a University atmosphere to our Varsity team that will make Ontario take notice of our great athletes in this Kent-Lambton area. This will give our players exposure with Ontario University Scouts, will give our players exposure with Ontario Jr. teams like Windsor AKO and London Beefeaters, and give our players exposure to excellent football talent around Ontario.”