Texas Elite Spartans Return to Goldthwaite for 2026 Training Camp

At the geographic heart of the Lone Star State, where toughness is forged and tradition runs deep, the Texas Elite Spartans are back.

This weekend, the four-time Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) champions return to Goldthwaite, Texas for 2026 Training Camp, embracing frigid temperatures, hard work, and the mindset that championships are built when conditions are anything but comfortable.

For the second straight year, Goldthwaite serves as the proving ground for the Spartans as they begin their march toward another title run. Cold air, early mornings, and physical practices are not obstacles, they’re the point.

PRIDDY ISD TO HOST PRACTICES

New this season, the Spartans are proud to hold practices at Priddy Athletic Complex, home of a storied six-man football program. In Texas, six-man football is synonymous with grit: ironman athletes playing both sides of the ball, wide-open fields that demand speed and conditioning, and a brand of football where toughness, accountability, and effort are non-negotiable.

That spirit mirrors exactly what Head Coach Odessa “OJ” Jenkins is intentionally building in the 2026 Spartans, players who are mentally tough, physically prepared, and willing to do the hard work when no one is watching. Six-man football doesn’t allow for shortcuts or spectators on the field; everyone contributes, everyone is responsible, and every rep matters. That same mindset is now embedded into the foundation of this year’s training camp.

Priddy offers more than a place to practice, it provides a reset point. A reminder that championship football is rooted in fundamentals, resilience, and unity. For the Spartans, training in the home of Texas six-man football is a powerful statement: the 2026 season will be built on grit, versatility, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Gratitude to a Community That Shows Up

The Spartans extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Chris and Haley Hager and their family for once again opening their ranch and hearts to the team. Their generosity and support are a cornerstone of what makes this camp possible and meaningful.

Goldthwaite continues to exemplify what Texas football is all about, hospitality, toughness, and showing up for one another.

Built in the Cold, Bound by Purpose

The 2026 training camp roster brings together veterans, rising stars, new coaches, and existing staff all committed to one goal: building the most disciplined, connected, and prepared Spartans team yet. Over the course of the weekend, the focus will be on physical execution, mental resilience, and team chemistry, tested under morning lows of 30 degrees and evening highs in the 40s.

“No team is the same year over year,” said Coach Jenkins. “Training camp is where we come together and find our identity, find our leaders and own our commitments to ourselves, to each other and to our fans.”

More Than a Camp

Training camp in Goldthwaite is about more than installing schemes or evaluating depth charts. It’s about connecting with community, inspiring the next generation, and reinforcing that women’s professional football belongs everywhere, small towns included.

As the Spartans continue preparations for the 2026 WNFC season, Goldthwaite once again stands as the place where the work begins.

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