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From May 11 to 29 the Ottawa REDBLACKS took over Queen’s campus for their 2025 CFL training camp, highlighted by competition, mentorship, and community connection.

Held at Richardson Stadium’s state-of-the- art facilities, REDBLACKS players underwent three intense weeks of preparation, setting the tone for the 2025 season. In addition to open practices, the camp featured a Community Fan Fest on May 17 offering family-friendly activities to foster Queen’s community engagement. The event brought together Queen’s students, staff, and REDBLACKS fans throughout the city reinforcing the university’s ties to the broader Kingston community.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Queen’s University and its staff for their hospitality, and for the opportunity to make use of their outstanding facilities,” says REDBLACKS GM Shawn Burke. “The chance to come together in Kingston has made our team a more tight-knight group and prepared us to chase our ultimate goal during the 2025 season.”

Beyond physical training, the camp provided a unique opportunity for engagement between REDBLACKS players, students, and Kingston residents. Queen’s athletes and sports medicine students had the chance to interact with professional players and observe elite-level practices. The presence of the REDBLACKS on campus injected energy into Queen’s first-class athletics culture, offering inspiration to the next generation of sports professionals.

“This partnership strengthens the delivery of sport by enhancing the pathway connecting grassroots, university and professional levels of play,” explains Linda Melnick, Executive Director of Queen’s Athletics & Recreation. “It also cultivates community connectedness, one of the goals within Queen’s Athletics & Recreation’s Strategy.”

With its 2023 revitalization, Richardson Stadium has become a top facility in Canadian university sports. The addition of the Lang Pavilion has elevated the stadium into a high-performance centre, featuring modernized training spaces, coaching offices, and recovery zones. These upgrades, funded by over 300 generous alumni donations, have enabled Queen’s to host professional level sporting events, serving as a point of pride symbolizing the growth and exceptionality of Queen’s Athletics.

The REDBLACKS season begins on June 5, 2025, with an away game. Learn more about their visit to Queen’s on the .