Chris Ackie and Ronnie Pfeffer – two local CFL players – host a camp for aspiring football players

Two local CFL players are giving back to the community where their love of the game began. Chris Ackie and Ronnie Pfeffer are two professional football players who hope to mentor the next generation of stars at a local football camp.

The Motivated Society Football Camp takes place on March 15th at Core Lifestyle & Recreation Complex in Kitchener. Aspiring football players aged ten to eighteen can learn from professional CFL players while pursuing their dream of turning pro. Camp proceeds will benefit a London-based charity: 519 Pursuit.

Ackie is a Cambridge native, a Preston High School football alumni and he played in the Grey Cup last year as a member of the Ottawa Redblacks. Pfeffer grew up in Kitchener, attended Cameron Heights and is a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Redblacks and Toronto Argos.

The camp is open to players of all skill levels and Ackie and Pfeffer stress that while there are professional CFL players as coaches, it’s relaxed, fun and no-pressure environment where kids can play the game they love.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re at the top of your game or you’re someone who’s just learning. Our camp is there to teach kids,” Ackie said. “There’s no pressure on you to be great. We’re just here to get you better.”

Both Ackie and Pfeffer didn't have access to a football camp when they were younger, so they're hoping to fill that void for up-and-coming football players in Waterloo Region.

“With us being in the community, we wanted to show kids that you can make it out of the communities and you can play pro sports,” Pfeffer said. “There’s a lot more aspirations when kids see somebody coming out from Preston or Cameron Heights.”

The camp focuses on helpings students improve their football skills, but the coaches are there as mentors to help pass along life lessons as well. Ackie and Pfeffer said they often hear from camp-goers throughout the year, asking for football advice, but also serving as a guidance counsellor of sorts.

“Once our camps are done, they ask you a lot of questions, just about life,” Pfeffer said. “Like: ‘How’s the transition from grade eight to grade nine, moving to a high school?’ It’s nice to be able to be a mentor to a lot of the kids, just being able to talk to them about whatever they need.”

The coaches agree that academics come first in grade school and high school, but many of these CFL players credit sports as their anchor for staying grounded during their formative years. Ackie said sports were integral to him as a teenager and helped him improve his grades in high school. He’s heard similar testimonials from the parents of the players who attend the football camp.

“I get parents reach out to me and tell me: ‘My son’s doing so much better in school and he loves coming to your camp’,” Ackie said. “When you have something to be motivated towards, it helps you stay focused in school. I couldn’t imagine going to school and not playing sports.”

Not only do the coaches preach the benefits of sports as a means for youth to stay motivated, playing alongside new teammates helps them develop bonds that could develop into lifelong friendships.

“It’s mainly a thing of just joining new clubs, meeting new friends and just putting yourself out there,” Pfeffer said. “Because you never know who’s going to be your best friend. For example, like Chris right here.”

Players interested in signing up can register on the Motivated Society Football camp website.