Ferster Calls U16 Team Saskatchewan An Incredible Experience

Editor’s Note - the following is the second in a series of stories about the Moose Jaw players who made it onto the roster U16 Team Saskatchewan who competed at the 2023 U16 Football Canada Western Challenge, July 4-8 in Regina, SK.

By Robert Thomas

For Kash Ferster playing defensive line for U16 Team Saskatchewan was not something he thought about last year.

It wasn’t because the 14 year old Ferster - heading into Grade 10 at Peacock Collegiate in September - was not interested in playing on the team he just was unaware of the Football Saskatchewan program.

“This is the first time for me playing on this team. When we moved in Moose Jaw, I had not heard about it, but I found out about it later,” Ferster said.

Growing up in Marcelin Firster first got introduced to football when he was nine or 10 years old by local coach Mr Barnstable at Hafford School.

THE FOUR PLAYERS FROM MOOSE JAW WHO MADE THE U16 TEAM SASKATCHEWAN ROSTER ARE (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) DAX GIBNEY, KASH FERSTER, KEATON BELSHER AND GABE YASINSKI - SUBMITTED PHOTO

“I didn’t know it was that big of a deal until I got there. Then I saw there was lots of excitement… it was pretty exciting,” he said about having the opportunity to play on the U16 Team Saskatchewan squad.

“It was pretty big thing playing football at that level.”

“I was nervous when I was there, but it was something I route was really working hard at and I had fun,” he said about attending the western Canadian finals.

Although he had not received back any statistics he said he put in his best efforts.

“It wasn’t the greatest game on my part, but I did the best I could do.”

Ferster said that he used to play other sports but he quit them to focus on just football.

“I just love and breathe football,” he said.

For Ferster football has been instrumental and teaching him the value of hard work at no matter what you are trying to do in life.

“Football has taught me to never stop going no matter what,” he said, adding “what you put into things is what you’re getting back from it.”

Asked about his playing defensive line - where he’s not going to record touchdowns and other stats - Ferster said it’s a position he doesn’t mind.

He said he used to play linebacker, but was moved to the defensive line and actually likes playing the position.

Overall Ferster said being part of U16 Team Saskatchewan was a positive experience.

“I would like to think all the players on the team as it was a really good team and you got to meet a lot of new people. The coaches were great coaches, and they would take time to help you with your game and taught people a lot.”