Photo courtesy Peace Country Cowboys Facebook page

By Jeff Henson

Peace Country Cowboys officially return to AFL this weekend

Jun 7, 2022 | 11:36 AM

The Alberta Football League returns to Grande Prairie for the first time in a couple of years this weekend, as the Peace Country Cowboys kick off their 2022 schedule.

The Cowboys will host the Airdrie Irish, who won their opening game of the season last weekend, while the Cowboys enjoyed a week one bye.

Cowboys vice president and player Chad Wiebe says the team was formed in 2019 as a way for guys to continue playing football after their high school and junior football days.

“So we wanted to build that up. We had a lot of success and excitement in 2019, but it is no secret that COVID shut a lot of things down. So honestly that was a big hurdle, trying to keep people engaged. I would say maybe 10 per cent of the roster for this year is from the same 40 guys that signed up back in 2019. So it has been a big grind.”

Wiebe says they expect to have anywhere from 30-40 players dressed for Saturday night, adding they are always looking for more guys to join the team.

“(Age) 18 and up you are good to go. There is no cap, I have seen guys play into their 40s, but most guys are in their 20s and 30s. We welcome anyone.”

“The other thing is that a lot of guys think you need experience, but you really do not. We have a great group of guys and we are looking for good people to hang out with. It is a lot of fun and we are just trying to build a good culture.”

Kick-off is 7 pm Saturday night at CKC Field.

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. Children 6 and under are admitted for free.