Ottawa, ON – Despite threats of a CFL player strike as the CFL and CFLPA try to find common ground on a collective bargaining agreement, the Ottawa RedBlacks rookie training camp began on Wednesday afternoon at Carleton University’s Keith Harris Stadium. The rookies get an early start as they try to make an impression in advance of the main camp starting Sunday.
It’s the second training camp for a local former standout at the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees receiver Simon Le Marquand, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 CFL draft by Hamilton. After being cut by the Ticats a year ago, he thought his CFL dream may be over, until he was signed by the RedBlacks back in December.
Also in camp are quarterbacks Jesse Mills of the Carleton University Ravens and Derek Wendell of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees as non-roster invitees.
Both players will work out with the RedBlacks until the team travels to Regina for the first exhibition game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 13.
“It’s important for our organization to give back to the community and we wanted to extend this invitation as a gesture of goodwill to our city’s university football partners at Carleton and the University of Ottawa,” said RedBalcks’ GM Marcel Desjardins. “It’s our hope that these players acquire valuable experience and take that experience to the playing field during the 2014 CIS season.”
