CJFL players born in 1998 and 1999 will get to play one more year because of the cancellation of the 2020 season. (VI Raiders)

By Dan Marshall

Overtime

Veteran VI Raiders players granted additional year of eligibility

Sep 12, 2020 | 7:27 AM

NANAIMO — New CJFL eligibility rules will allow 23 year olds to play junior football in 2021 and 2022.

The adjustment will mean veteran players on the 18 CJFL teams, including the VI Raiders will have a chance to make up for the cancellation of the 2020 season.

Raiders general manager Josh Williams said the changes will affect nearly 20 athletes on his roster.

“A lot of guys rely on that fourth and fifth year because that’s when they get the most field time. They’re able to send that film off to universities for recruiting purposes.”

Word came down on Aug. 6 the 2020 season would be scrapped which left those 1998 born players with an uncertain future.

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Other dominoes still need to fall as junior football looks towards a resumption of play in 2021.

BCFC president Tyler McLaren said there will likely be another three or four steps to the eligibility process to deal with issues like roster size and protected lists.

“We’re trying to do what’s in the best interest of everybody but taking into account that these are strange times and trust that we’re doing what’s best for our teams, our league and the sport of football.”

Williams believes the combination of another class of high school graduates pushing up from the bottom of the age bracket plus the older veterans getting to finish out their fifth year of eligibility will make for some very strong competition next season.

“I think that’s going to trickle down from U Sports, to junior football to community football. There’s going to be an overflow of guys coming from the top down. I’m confident with the guys we’ve brought in and with an extra graduating class it’s just going to make the talent that much better.”

Despite not having a season BCFC teams are working to stay active with players both on the field and in the community.

The Raiders are allowing their players to focus on school and getting their jobs solidified for the first part of September.

At the end of the month they’ll begin dry land training and practices.

COVID-19 restrictions will change the way practices are done with the Raiders having smaller groups on the field instead of the entire 55 man roster working at once.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77