Winter Camp Weeks 9 & 10 Recap

A Proud Finish to an Incredible Winter of Development

As Kingston Minor Football League’s 2026 Winter Camp came to a close, the final two weeks of the program perfectly captured what the camp had been about from the very beginning: learning, effort, teamwork, and a genuine love for the game.

For ten weeks, our athletes chose to spend their Saturday evenings training, learning, and developing their football skills. That kind of commitment says a lot about the character of the young athletes in this program. From Week 1 through Week 10, our coaches watched players grow not just in skill, but in confidence, leadership, and football IQ.

By the time we reached Weeks 9 and 10, the progress was unmistakable.

Week 9: Competition and Learning from the Next Level

Week 9 brought a strong emphasis on competition and application, allowing athletes to put the skills they had been developing throughout camp into more game-like situations.

Running Backs combined their offensive and defensive training in a competitive environment, blending ball-carrying skills with linebacker fundamentals such as pursuit angles and proper breakdown mechanics. Across the field, Offensive and Defensive Linemen battled through pass protection and pass rush drills, applying the techniques they had been building all winter.

Quarterbacks continued to develop their decision-making and leadership, working on route reads, throwing progressions, pocket movement, and the communication skills required to lead a huddle.

The Wide Receiver group also experienced a special highlight during Week 9 with a visit from guest coach Ashton Miller-Melancon.

Ashton spent time working with athletes on catching fundamentals, route mechanics, release techniques, and defensive back concepts such as hip movement, reaction drills, and playing the ball through the hands.

Introducing defensive back skills to receivers is a deliberate part of KMFL’s development philosophy. Understanding how defenders read routes, close space, and attack the football helps receivers develop a deeper understanding of the game. Simply put, knowing how the defender thinks makes you a better offensive player.

Athletes were especially excited to learn from someone who has performed at the highest levels of Canadian university football.

Ashton’s football résumé speaks for itself:

• Former Queen’s University Defensive Back 
• 4× OUA All-Star 
• 1st Team U SPORTS All-Canadian 
• Yates Cup Champion 
• Recently signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL

His willingness to spend time with our athletes and share his knowledge made Week 9 a memorable experience for everyone involved. On behalf of all of our coaches and athletes, we extend our sincere thanks to Ashton for giving back to the next generation of football players.

Week 10: A Celebration of Growth

The final week of camp brought a mix of skill review, friendly competition, and celebration.

Position groups revisited the key fundamentals they had worked on throughout the winter, reinforcing everything from route running and catching mechanics to blocking techniques, defensive pursuit, and quarterback decision-making.

But perhaps the most memorable moment of the night came during conditioning, when the program finished with a series of fast-paced dodgeball games — Athletes vs. Athletes and Athletes vs. Coaches. The gym was filled with laughter, energy, and a sense of camaraderie that perfectly captured the spirit of the program.

After cool down, athletes received their Winter Camp shirts and gathered together one final time to celebrate the completion of the program.

It was a proud moment for our coaching staff.

Looking Back with Pride

Over the course of 10 weeks and 20 hours of training, our athletes developed:

• Stronger football fundamentals
• Improved athletic movement and conditioning
• Greater understanding of the game
• Confidence in their abilities
• Leadership and teamwork skills

But perhaps most importantly, they demonstrated a commitment to learning and improving — something that cannot be taught, only encouraged.

As coaches, we could not be more proud of the dedication shown by every athlete who walked through the doors each week ready to work.

We would also like to thank our volunteer coaches and guest contributors who gave their time and energy to support the development of our athletes.

Programs like Winter Camp are only possible because of the community that stands behind them.

Looking Ahead

With Winter Camp now complete, our focus begins to shift toward the 2026 Fall Tackle Football season.

• Coach applications are currently open on our website
• Player registration opens May 1

We look forward to welcoming both returning athletes and new families as Kingston Minor Football League continues to grow.

Until then, we want to thank every athlete who committed their time and energy this winter.

Your effort, attitude, and passion for the game made this program something truly special.

And we cannot wait to see where your football journey goes next.