Medicine Hat-born football player McGough brings off-season training opportunity to youth in the city

McGough, now head coach with RAW Sports Medicine Hat, said the program was created to address a gap in local training opportunities.

“There’s a lot of talent in Medicine Hat, but there hasn’t been a consistent summer program to help athletes continue developing,” McGough said.

“In bigger centers, athletes have access to year-round training. We wanted to bring that same opportunity here.”

Training will take place across multiple locations in the city, with strength and conditioning sessions scheduled Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at a local training facility, while speed development sessions will run Tuesdays at the Crescent Heights High School track.

On Saturdays, athletes will take part in on-field training at the Methanex Bowl.

McGough said a key focus of the program is ensuring athletes can translate their work in the gym to performance on the field.

“If those two things don’t line up, then the training doesn’t carry over; we’re building a program where everything connects,” McGough said.

Participants will also undergo combine-style testing at the beginning and end of the program, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and agility drills commonly used at CFL and NFL combines.

The results will be uploaded to an online recruiting database accessible to coaches at the university and junior levels.

“The goal is to give athletes measurable results and put them in front of recruiters,” McGough said.

“Most athletes wait to be found. This helps them be visible.”

In addition to physical training, the program includes seminars on academics and nutrition, along with sessions led by experienced football coaches.

McGough said the educational component is critical, noting only about three percent of high school football players advance to the U Sports level.

“It’s not just about talent, it’s about preparation, understanding what courses you need, how recruiting works, [and] how to take care of your body. That’s what separates athletes,” McGough said.

The program builds on a football camp introduced in Medicine Hat last year by RAW Sports, which McGough said saw strong interest and is expected to grow in 2026.

Organizers say athletes who register by Wednesday, April 8, will receive free entry to an on-field camp scheduled for May 2 and 3 at the Methanex Bowl, offering an early look at the training environment.

McGough said beyond individual development, the long-term goal is to strengthen the local football community.

“If we can bring athletes together and raise the level of competition, it benefits everyone,” McGough said.

“We want to help kids here get opportunities, whether that’s playing at the next level or just becoming better athletes and people.”

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat-born football player McGough brings off-season training opportunity to youth in the city

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