Later this month, Stettler’s Theren Churchill is permanently moving out of Alberta to represent Regina Rams.
That decision hasn’t been easy for Churchill as he was courted as early as spring 2016.
“I was then playing for the Huskies, and I had to make a decision to either stay for my last junior season with the Huskies or to move on to University,” Churchill said. “I decided to stay for my last year, knowing the offer was still on the table for next year.”
According to Churchill, it was the best decision, as the Huskies went on to have one of their best seasons in over a decade and he was awarded as a Prairie Conference All-Star during his final season along with being a team captain.
When Churchill graduated from Wm. E. Hay in 2013, he had no plans on going to university, at least for a couple years, so he signed on with the Junior Edmonton Huskies for the 2013 season.
“I became an immediate impact on their club and became a starter halfway through my rookie year and for the next three seasons after that,” Churchill recalled.
Churchill has played through the Stettler Minor Football ranks, right into the high school’s Wildcats program.
“It all started in Grade 4 when Coach Rob Howell and Coach Mike Roach approached me to see if I was interested in playing football,” Churchill reminisced. “I was quick to say yes as it was a dream of mine to play ever since I was a kid.”
In March this year, Churchill was offered the opportunity to attend the CFL western regional combine alongside with many other elite university players, and he was surprised to discover he was the only CJFL offensive lineman to attend any of the three regional combines that take place across Canada that month.
“I posted some of the best numbers in a few categories at my position and was happy with my results as well as attracting a few interested CFL teams,” Churchill said. “Though that was a great experience my eyes are on to the University of Regina Rams for the next three years and I hope to be back at the CFL national combine in 2019.”
Churchill further added that the sport has taught him a few main things – discipline, responsibility, respect and work ethic.
“I want to thank all my coaches from over the years to allow me to play this great game. My Stettler coaches – Rob Howell, Mike Roach, and Norbert Baharally; my junior coaches Iain Maclean and Brian Marshall; as well as my new Regina Rams coach Steve Bryce and many others,” Churchill added. “I’d also like to thank Stettler, my family, and my friends for all the support through the years.”