Airdrie Eclipse Athlete Training: Developing Athletes, Building Community

Airdrie Eclipse Athlete Training is committed to empowering youth athletes through comprehensive fitness and sport-specific training. Our focus is on fostering athletic development in a positive, team-based environment. Whether you’re new to football or preparing for a competitive program, we provide tailored training that helps athletes grow in skill, fitness, and mental strength.

Our core program, the off-season Athletic Development and Weight Training Program, is designed to build strong, well-rounded athletes. In addition to weight training, we offer a Winter Tournament Football Program that allows athletes to further hone their skills. All of these programs are led by passionate volunteers, with proceeds from fees and merchandise directly supporting the team and equipment needs, ensuring we continue offering affordable, high-quality opportunities for all.

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A Commitment to Football and Community

For us, football goes beyond the game—it’s about community. Airdrie Eclipse Athlete Training is deeply rooted in a passion for football and a desire to support youth athletes in Airdrie and the surrounding areas. Our programs provide an affordable, high-quality experience for youth ages 8-15, focusing on key aspects like skill development, cardio fitness, and mental strategy, all in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

As a community-driven organization, we’re always looking for new ways to support and expand opportunities for athletic growth, making football and fitness more accessible to all local youth.

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Encouraging Active Living and Lifelong Fitness

Our mission extends beyond sport; we aim to inspire a lifestyle of fitness and health. At Airdrie Eclipse, we emphasize the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in all of our programs. By creating a fun and supportive environment, we encourage youth to thrive physically, form lasting friendships, and develop a lifelong passion for health and fitness.

We believe football and fitness are for everyone, whether for recreation or competitive growth. Our goal is to help athletes build strength—both physically and mentally—while fostering a love for active living.

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Our History: From Passion to Program

Nolan Rohl’s journey into athletic development began in 2008 at Airdrie's Explosive Edge Gym, where he had the opportunity to learn from Andre Benoit, a two-time Canadian Olympic Champion and Team Canada Trainer. This experience ignited Nolan’s passion for weight training and also highlighted the need for affordable, high-quality training options for local youth.

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In 2016, while coaching the Airdrie Storm Atom and Peewee football teams, Nolan sought ways to use his knowledge of weight training and improve his players’ athletic abilities during the off-season. He rented space at Airdrie Christian Academy Gym and began what would eventually grow into Airdrie Football Athletics. Initially focused on weight training, plyometrics, and conditioning. The Off-Season Training Program had many success stories and helped local athletes build strength and athleticism for over a decade helping propel the Airdrie Tackle Football programs to being among the best in their respective Leagues.

 

2022, Nolan officially founded Airdrie Eclipse Athlete Training, expanding on his vision of providing accessible, top-tier athletic development. This program was an advanced version of the Airdrie Football Athletics program built for advanced level athletes who wanted to push their training to a higher level. The main focus of the Eclipse Athlete Training program would be solely on strength training to meet the evolving needs of advanced level athletes in the community.

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In 2024, Airdrie Eclipse took a significant step by launching a Winter Tournament Football Team aimed at teaching our advanced level athletes enrolled in the program. The fundamentals of 11-man American football. The team also provided these athletes with the opportunity to compete against other high-level athletes from Northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the USA, and Mexico. The team’s debut at the Third Annual Battle on the Prairies Tournament in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, was a success, with the 12U team winning the 12U Championship.

Building on this momentum, Airdrie Eclipse returned in 2025 with two teams: a 12U squad and a mixed 11U/10U team. Both teams performed excellently, with the 12U team taking home another championship in a thrilling overtime victory and the 11U team winning their division’s championship.

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Today, the program offers affordable high intensity athletic development with a flexible, low-commitment structure, allowing advanced level athletes the chance to pursue multiple sports while still gaining valuable competitive experiences. This approach helps athletes thrive both on and off the field.

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A Legacy of Community and Growth

The Eclipse Athlete Training program continues to build on its strong foundation of community, teamwork, and a shared passion for sports. Moving forward, our aim is to expand opportunities for youth to excel as athletes while promoting a culture of active living, healthy habits and keeping it affordable to everyone.