SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Before embarking on his second season with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Springfield’s own Anthony Cioffi will be giving back to the area’s local youth with his first-ever football camp at newly-renovated Meisel Field in Springfield on Saturday.



The 2 1/2 –hour clinic (9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.), which aims to improve participants' play while also having fun, will include exercises and drills to improve speed, agility, running mechanics, hand-eye coordination and reaction time for not only Springfield youth but for surrounding towns from ages 8-to-13.



A portion of the clinic’s proceeds also will be donated to the Special Olympics of New Jersey, a cause and organization that Cioffi has heavily been involved with in the past.

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Cioffi, who played for Jonathan Dayton (2009-13) and was a four-year defensive and special teams star at Rutgers (2013-2017) is looking forward to holding the clinic.

“This is my first clinic that I have organized and run," Cioffi said. "Wanting to give back is an ultimate goal of mine and I also want the kids in the area to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be training at a high level."

"I’m excited and think it will be great for them,” he added. “It is always important to give back because the kids genuinely enjoyed having us out there during the Special Olympic Games and I’ve built a relationship with some kids from the Special Olympic organization where I know going out on the field, I’m playing in honor of them.”



For more info on Saturday’s clinic and the $40 registration fee, email ciofficamps@gmail.com.



Cioffi, who will be celebrating his 25th birthday this August, recorded 36 defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one touchdowns in a 15-game rookie season with Ottawa, helping the Redblacks to a 11-7 record, a CFL East Division title and a 106th Grey Cup championship game appearance.









“This past year, it was a great year and I wish we came away with the Grey Cup victory," Cioffi added. "Continuing to never settle and working hard to elevate my game helped me gain the spot I’m in today and I definitely had a goal of allowing people to know my name through how I play."

"I just try to get noticed for little things I do on the field,” said the 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back. “I’m looking to dominate this coming season and assert my name to be amongst the top of the league. I have big goals and I want them to be met so I understand what has to be done.”

The Redblacks first pre-season game is at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 1 with the season opener on the road against the CFL Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders on June 15.



Follow Cioffi and the Ottawa Redblacks all season long on a variety of media platforms below:



Twitter – @REDBLACKS #RNation

Facebook – Ottawa REDBLACKS

YouTube – Ottawa REDBLACKS

Instagram – @cflredblacks

Snapchat – cflredblacks