Editor’s note: The Abbotsford News is launching a new blog, Students of the Game, which features local high school athletes sharing their experiences and unique perspectives. Today, Robert Bateman Secondary quarterback Tanner Friesen traces his athletic history and looks ahead to a big game vs. Mission on Friday.
There is nothing I love more than the feeling of pride and accomplishment that sports gives me.
Growing up as a kid, I played soccer. I enjoyed soccer but my aggressiveness on the field led me to switch to playing football. In Grade 5 I started playing community football for the Abbotsford Falcons. After my first football game, I knew that this was the sport for me.
Entering Grade 9 at Robert Bateman Secondary, I was thrilled to learn that the school would be starting a football program. The first few years of the football program at Bateman were a great success. We had lots of talented players, some of whom are currently playing football at the CIS and junior college level.
Right now my football season is more than halfway done and playoffs are coming very soon. We play our final regular season game against our cross-river rivals, the Mission Roadrunners, this Friday. It is a crucial game and it will determine playoff spots. I am really confident in my team this year. My great friend and teammate, Ben Cummings, is having an unbelievable year and he will be tough to stop as we enter the playoffs.
As well as playing football, I play basketball and rugby at my school. Three sports are quite a bit and it takes a lot of dedication to balance school and athletics. Next year I hope to be playing post-secondary football at the CIS level.
I can’t wait for the basketball and rugby seasons to start, but right now I’m excited to see how the remainder of my football season unfolds.
