OFC - Ontario Football Conference

KITCHENER – Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker has put Twin Cities Predators CJFL players on notice: he’ll be watching. And he’ll be back.  Barker attended both Saturday and Sunday sessions of the CJFL Predators Spring Camp at Centennial Stadium, both to scout for the Argos’ upcoming camp, and to offer sound advice to the newest members of the “Argos family.”  “You are part of the Toronto Argonauts now,” Barker told players following Sunday’s light gear workout. “So I’ll be back, and I’ll be watching, lurking in the background.”  After watching from the sidelines Saturday, Barker took a “hands-on” approach during lineman drills Sunday, offering feedback and tips to offensive and defensive lineman alike. Invited by Preds head coach Tom Arnott to address the team during final huddle, Barker made it clear the Argonauts will be looking to the Predators to produce some new talent – but those who want to take advantage of the opportunity will have to work hard for it.           “The opportunity is there, but you have to work for it,” Barker said. “Coming out here for the weekend or for practice isn’t enough. You need to be working out every day.”             Barker’s presence at the Predators’ sophomore spring camp bodes well for the future of the Ontario Football Conference’s newest CJFL level team – and for Canadian football as a whole, said Twin Cities Minor Tackle Football Association president Jim Macarthur.  “Having Jim Barker here for both days of our camp lends a lot of credibility to our whole program,” Macarthur said. “Someone in (Barker’s) position doesn’t spend a lot of time in places that he doesn’t feel are beneficial to the future of the Argos and Canadian football as a whole.”             The Argos have committed to offering two camp spots to the Predators annually. Selections will be made based on Arnott’s recommendations and the Argo’s needs.             “Coach Barker is truly a coach and he offered some great advice and he told it like it is,” Macarthur said. “It’s clear he wants to help kids reach the higher level, and that’s really the reason why we’re doing this – to make sure that kids who need a shot at the higher level have that opportunity."