Ashburn (July 31, 2013) – As a fundraiser for the Broad Run High School football program, organizer Nikki Harmon recruited over 50 women to attend the Spartan’s inaugural “Moms Training Camp” hosted by Coach Matt Griffis to learn what Spartan football players go through on a daily basis both in practice and in game time situations.
“I think the camp helped in supporting our boys, supporting the school, the coach and all that he does for our kids,” Harmon said. “The program provides discipline and commitment to our kids and this is our way of giving back.”
Discipline was preached throughout the event in terms of technical skill and safety as well as having a football mindset. After a general question and answer session, Griffis dove right into football, teaching the women about offensive and defensive strategy and terminology. Then Griffis led his team out to the practice field where they warmed up and ran through some drills before heading to their first annual game.
“It has been a huge eye opening to see some of things that they have to go through. I have no idea what he was talking about in the classroom as far as plays,” Harmon said. “We were all so overwhelmed to do some of the things they have to do and we only had to a small, small piece of it. I still don’t get it.”
Griffis was nervous about the idea of the camp at first but after seeing it play out realized how important it was for his football program.
“It’s good for camaraderie to get the moms together, get moms to meet moms they wouldn’t have met unless they were out in a situation like this and to get them more involved in the football program,” Griffis said. “They start to learn who each other’s sons are. It creates a tighter sense of community and relationships that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have something like this.”
Both Griffis and Harmon emphasized how important building a Broad Run football community is for everyone involved.
“A lot of times you sit in the stands and the parents don’t know each other even though our kids know each other,” Harmon said. “I feel that the more the parents get to know each other, the more spirit that we can bring to the team and get them psyched up so that they can play their best.”
Griffis will lead his Spartans into battle on Friday, August 30 at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA for their season opener. He noted that this moms camp showed the boys that, even beyond cleaning their mud-ridden football jerseys or making the 213 mile drive down to Booker T. Washington, the female figures in their lives do truly care about Spartans’ football.
“It’s great for their boys seeing their moms out here supporting the program. They’re doing this for their sons. They love football but they love their sons.”