And it ended on a beautiful day at McMahon Stadium as the final day of rookie camp practice came to a close.

But before the veterans return to the turf on Sunday, the rookies will hit the gridiron on their own once more tomorrow to run through a series of drills with hundreds of youngsters for the 2024 edition of Jr. Stamps Camp, presented by New West Truck Centres.

General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson will speak to the kids before the drills begin and afterwards there will be an autograph session as well as a lunch courtesy of Pizza 73.

Members of the Outriders cheer team and Ralph the Dog will also be in attendance.

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‘We’re Competing’

The rookies put the work in over the past three days, adapting to the CFL game ahead of the veterans hitting the turf.

Overall, Dickenson was content with how camp went and how the rookies competed.

“That’s what rookie camp is for,” he said.

“We’re trying to figure out who we need to keep and not keep. But we also want to give them that foundation so that when they go up against the vets they’re not so far behind and it’s not an unequal or uneven competition.”

sun's out, Huff's out pic.twitter.com/aTc14GR6LD

— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) May 10, 2024

Take Care Of Each Other

It’s no secret the Red and White were riddled with injuries last season.

Dickenson is taking precautions to keep his players healthy throughout camp this year, and has made a change to the practice schedule by removing the afternoon practices and sticking with sessions in the morning.

The schedule for the first four days of main camp are as follows:

• Sunday, May 12 – Practice from 9:15-11:35 a.m.
• Monday, May 13 – Practice from 9:25-11:40 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 14 – Practice from 9:25-11:40 a.m
• Thursday, May 16 – Practice from 9:15-11:35 a.m.

Practices are open to the public. Fans attending practice must enter through the southeast gate and sit in the east stands.

“I decided I have to do something different,” explained Dickenson. “I can’t do the same thing.”

“I think the guys will like it, I know the reps will be down; there will probably be about 30-35 percent less reps this year, (so) it’s tough to evaluate guys.

“The challenge is to give guys enough reps to compete but not overwork and potentially have injuries that will certainly hurt you throughout the year.”