REDS Open Training Camp
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s and men’s soccer teams open their 2023 training camps this weekend.
The camps are the first step for each team on their journey through the coming Atlantic University Sport soccer season and they come with a mix of emotions.
“There is excitement about being back together, anticipation of building a successful season, and always a bit of nerves,” said Jon Crossland, head coach of UNB’s women’s team. “We have plans on paper and now it’s time to put them into action and build relationships, culture, and performance.”
Barry Morrison, head coach of the REDS’ men’s team echoes Crossland’s sentiment.
“We have a positive tension of excitement and nervousness. We’re bringing in a large recruiting class and have a majority of our squad from last year returning and we know our group is continuing to improve.”
Morrison’s team will come together on Sunday for fitness testing before their first on-field session, on Monday morning.
“This weekend is about preparing to get camp off on the right foot on Monday,” he said.
Crossland’s team will hit the BMO Centre turf on Saturday for a full team session before their fitness testing on Sunday.
“We play our first exhibition game on Tuesday, so we have a short window to prep the team on the field,” said Crossland. “We have a large returning group, so some of that learning should be expedited, but ensuring our new group get comfortable is important.”
Morrison says most of his student-athletes have been playing all summer, so they’ll be in game-ready shape. Still, he says training camp is an opportunity.
“Training camp is a really important period for our student-athletes to establish themselves and show what they’re able to contribute to the team,” he said. “The first few days are about ensuring we work to deliver on the standards we’re setting and create a cohesive focus for the season.”
The men will spend the week in training sessions before an intra-squad game scheduled for Friday afternoon. The team will play their first exhibition match next Sunday, at Mount Allison.
“Over the past eight to ten months we’ve done some strong work to develop our shared vision of what it means to be a RED. We’ve also been fortunate to have several student-athletes playing in top environments across Canada, which has helped our group to mature significantly over the last year,” said Morrison.
The women travel to the University of Maine on Tuesday for their pre-season opener and will also visit Mount Allison next Sunday.
These early days of training camp, according to Crossland, will establish his group’s direction for the coming season.
“We have to perform, the season goes by quickly, a career goes by quickly, so that urgency and focus to get the most out of training camp, to be ready for the season, is real,” he said. “We have quality exhibition games lined up which will test us and prep us for the intensity of the regular season. We want to make two road trips to Cape Breton. One in September and another in late October.”
The REDS open the AUS regular season at CBU on September 2nd. The Capers will host the conference championship tournament October 27-29.
Morrison, entering his fourth season as coach of the REDS, anticipates a very competitive training camp.
Crossland, starting his 12th season as coach, is, as one would expect, optimistic.
“This group loves to be around the field,” he said. “In my first 11 years, no group has come in to work on their own like this one. We had some great leaders graduate last year, and it’s been enjoyable to see the team adjust and grow with the others moving on.”
The REDS’ regular season home opener is scheduled for Friday, September 8th, against the Memorial Sea-Hawks. The women kick-off at 5:00pm with the men scheduled to start at 7:15pm.
STORY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: File