The Sudbury Gladiators’ football club will field their first junior varsity team this year in the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).

The club’s general manager, Chris Bartolucci, said he sees the move as a sign of the growth of the sport and as an essential part of the development of the sport locally.

“I’m hoping that, over time, it’ll translate into a better and more competitive high school program,” he said. “Just being able to play other teams in the province is a big thing for these kids. Northern kids don’t get to travel very often to see what the southern Ontario teams are like.”

Bartolucci said the program will also act as a good stepping stone for players hoping to move onto university teams, opening up more scouting opportunities.

The junior program, which is aimed at kids 15 and 16 years old, will compliment the Gladiator’s varsity team — ages 17 to 19 — since the football club will have the same kids playing for up to four years, the general manager explained. Additionally, the teams will practise together, allowing the junior and varsity coaches to see what all of the players have to offer the club.

“Anything we might lack because of rookie-type coaches, we’ll make up for by having varsity coaches out there on the field at the same time,” Bartolucci said. “Plus, those kids will be doing everything the varsity team is doing, including the playbook, so that it’s seamless when they come up.”

Sixteen-year-old defensive end Dwytt Campbell, from Lockerby Composite, said he is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m pretty excited. It’s a good way to gain more experience since I want to go on to play university football.”

Fifteen-year-old defensive tackle Mathieu Gagnon, from Collège Notre Dame, agreed.

“I find it’s really good because I can train for the high school season. Plus, I’ll get better during the (Gladiators’) season.”

Bartolucci admitted it might be a tough learning curve for the junior team, facing nine other OFC teams, but said he still hopes they can at least win as many games as they lose.

“At first blush, we’d expect to be at .500 plus (winning percentage), and then ... once we’ve gotten a chance to see what’s out there, is to make the playoffs,” he said. “Once you get there, it’s a crapshoot. Anything can happen after that.”

Registrations for the team began at the end of March and are already up to 30, but the general manager is aiming for 10 or 15 more kids. The deadline to join the team is May 22, one week before the team’s first game — May 29 against the Twin Cities Predators. Anyone who comes to try out will end up playing at some point, in some capacity, Bartolucci said.

Under coach Sam Cuomo, the junior team’s home opener will take place June 19 against the Forest City Thunderbirds.

Last season, the varsity team, under the direction of head coach Brent Richer, finished third in the OFC. While it was good for a berth into the semifinal, the Gladiators came up short as they lost 18-13 to Twin Cities. This year, Bartolucci has his eyes set on the final.

“We’ve already sort of got a target on our back,” he said. “We’ve received e-mails from the teams down south telling us that they think we’re the team to beat.

“We want a championship and we believe this is our year to do it,” he added. “We have to work hard to get it, but we’ll be there.”

The team has 31 returning veterans, including Travis Campbell, who moved into the starting quarterback position last season. Slotback/corner Paul Cecile, who led the team last year with four interceptions and one fumble recovery, will also be back in the lineup.

“I was kind of let down how we got eliminated in the semifinals last year, so anything’s better than that, which is getting to the finals, is what I expect,” Cecile said. “As for the juniors, I wish I had that opportunity at that age.”

With sixty players coming out for varsity registrations already, and another 40 expected from the junior squad, Bartolucci said the future is bright for the Gladiators.

“Between the two teams, we’re talking about close to 100 players,” he said. “We’re a small centre...so for us to put that many players on the field against southern Ontario opponents, I think, is a really positive thing for us.”

Practices at the Indoor Soccer Centre began in the first week of April. Those interested in registering or finding out more about the club can log on to www.sudburygladiators.com

The Ontario Football Conference schedule maker isn't making it easy for the Sudbury Gladiators varsity football team.

And that's just fine with head coach Brent Richer.

The Gladiators start the 2010 season with three road games, beginning with a visit to Kitchener-Waterloo to face the defending league champion Twin Cities Predators on May 29.

"I like it," Richer said. "I don't like easy schedules. I like hard schedules and I don't think I'll have any problems getting our team motivated for Game 1, since they knocked us off last year when they beat us in the semis."

Several Gladiators players checked the league website for the schedule as soon as it was posted Sunday night and the chatter about facing the Predators started right away, Richer said.

"We played Twin Cities twice last year and had the lead in the fourth quarter both times and we let it slip away, so we're eager for this chance," Richer said. "Sunday night it went up on our website and our players saw it and I was getting e-mails like crazy about it right away. They are quite happy to start at Twin Cities and get another crack at them right away."

The Gladiators started last season against the then defending champs from Burlington.

"This is actually the third year in a row we lead off against the league champs," Richer said. "It's a great way to start to see how our team matches up right off the hop."

While the Gladiators usually start the season with two road games due to field conditions in Sudbury, adding a third caught Richer by surprise.

"Our first three are on the road and we were hoping for just two," he said. "That was unexpected, but it plays into our favour late in the season when we end with four of our last five games at home.

"It's a tough schedule, but one we're looking forward to."

The junior Gladiators schedule was also announced Sunday. The schedules for both teams are identical, other than road games in weeks two and three, so the two teams share road trips and home dates. The plan for home games is to play the junior squad at 1 p.m. and the varsity team at 4 p.m.

"That's what we want to do, we're just waiting for confirmation," Richer said. "We're really excited about having both teams play back-to-back. We'll have doubleheaders all the time and there will be lots of football here."

Richer and his coaching staff are eager to watch the juniors in action prior to the varsity games.

"I was talking to the other coaches and one of exciting things for us this year with adding the juniors is getting a chance to watch their games and see how they do and adapt," he said. "This way we get to keep an eye on the future, too, and be a fan at the same time."

The second week of training camp began Monday, and Richer is more than happy with the start both Gladiators teams got last week.

"Everything is moving along, everything is A one," he said. "Lots of the guys came back in good shape and ready and eager to play football. It should be a fun year."

The future for the Sudbury Gladiators varsity football team is looking up.

The Gladiators are adding a new junior team for players aged 15-16 to serve as a feeder for the big team. The junior squad will play prior to the varsity team in home and away games.

"It's pretty exciting," said junior team head coach Sam Cuomo. "We'll be using the same playbook and both teams will practise together. It will be seamless when they are ready to graduate to the varsity team."

The junior Gladiators have 30 players right now and would like to add more.

"We need to add some linemen to the team, some big guys," Cuomo said.

"There's room for players of all sizes on a football team and we would welcome any new players, but we do need some help on the lines."

Gladiators varsity head coach Brent Richer is excited for the addition of the new team.

"That is something we really wanted to get started for this season," he said. "It will help our team down the road and it will help high school football in the fall for the young players.

"We will run the same plays and practice with them and it will give them a jump start when make the move and graduate to the varsity team."

The varsity players have welcomed the juniors with open arms.

"I think it's important to have them," said Gladiators veteran Paul Cecile. "Everyone gets treated like a varsity player and not like rookies. We're all Gladiators and brothers out here. I wish I had that opportunity when I was their age."

The junior team will continue to welcome new players on its roster for the time being.

"Just check our practice schedule on our website at sudburygladiators.com and come out and see what it's all about," Cuomo said.