Training Camp of the ELF Champions Lays Important Foundation for Further Season Preparation
Over the past weekend, the reigning champion of the European League of Football, the Vienna Vikings, completed their mini-camp at the Vikings Football Center in Ravelinstraße, Vienna Simmering. In addition to a well-organized camp schedule featuring field sessions, video analysis, and playbook meetings, team-building activities were also an essential part of the program.
"The first camp of the year is always something special. These are two intensive days where we think, breathe, and live football - and where the team comes together," commented Head Coach and champion maker Chris Calaycay on the Vikings' weekend.
The training camp also marked the conclusion of the first official 2023 pre-season week. On Tuesday, the team took the field together for the first time. "We have very strict regulations from the league regarding when we are allowed to train as a complete team. The European League of Football handles it like the NFL, where camps and OTAs (Organized Team Activities) are permitted from a certain date," explained Calaycay.
After three field sessions on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the players of the Vienna franchise were not given a break over the weekend. Field practices 4, 5, and 6 were on the agenda. "It couldn't have gone much better. The weather held up, and the atmosphere was great. You can feel the team's energy on the field. The players are focused and eager for the start of the season," added Calaycay.
As a relaxing balance, the team attended the BC Vienna basketball semifinal game on Saturday evening, supporting the Vienna home team with loud cheers as they achieved a dominant playoff victory against Klosterneuburg.
However, two athletes were no longer present at the current camp of the champions. The young tight end Robert Schüller, a graduate of the Vienna Vikings Football Academy at the Ballsportgymnasium Wien, unfortunately suffered a knee injury towards the end of the off-season, which will require surgery and an extended rehabilitation phase.
The second player is Thomas Schaffer. The Stanford graduate, who signed a contract as an offensive lineman with the Vienna Vikings in 2023, is already on his way to Canada these days. "Thomas had an exit clause in his contract in case he received an offer from an NFL or CFL team. That scenario occurred a few days ago, and we wish him all the best with the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League. He knows that we will welcome him back with open arms in case of a cut," said HC Calaycay about Schaffer, who personally said goodbye to the coaches and his teammates at the Vikings Facility on Saturday.
As much as Schaffer, who also participated in the Chicago Bears' camp in 2022, is looking forward to his new chapter, saying goodbye to Vienna is still difficult: "Firstly, I would like to thank the Vikings franchise. Everyone in the organization was a great help in my personal process. I received support and was warmly welcomed. Although it was clear from the beginning that this could happen, it is still not easier to say goodbye. I am definitely very hopeful for the future and extremely excited to go to Ottawa. I wish the Vikings good luck and the team a successful start to the season!"