The VI Raiders will play an eight game schedule in 2021 with all home games being played at NDSS field. (VI Raiders)

By Dan Marshall

Raiders Return

VI Raiders 2021 football schedule to kick off in September

Jul 15, 2021 | 4:16 PM

NANAIMO — After missing the entire 2020 season, the VI Raiders can now ready for opening kickoff.

An eight game BCFC schedule will see the VI Raiders return to play for the first time since 2019. Nanaimo’s junior football team will take on the Langley Rams in the season opener on Sept. 11 at the NDSS turf field.

General manager Josh Williams can’t wait to get things started.

“We’ve got a ton of guys coming out here from all over Canada,” Williams said. “There’s going to be a high level of competition and we’re looking to fire things up here real shortly.”

The Raiders already have 40-50 players in town with the remainder coming in early August.

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Players are practicing on the field twice a week along with three days of gym workouts until main camp Aug. 13-15.

Junior football has had a nearly two year absence in Nanaimo.

The last time the Raiders played was in October of 2019 when they lost out in the BCFC semifinal to the Westshore Rebels.

VI is one of the most storied franchises in the CJFL with eight BC titles and three national championships.

Each of those title runs saw home games played at Caledonia Park but now the Raiders have a new home at NDSS.

Williams said the turf will be a positive as well as the option of playing under the lights.

“Earlier in the season we start at 5:30 p.m. We’ve got one 7:00 p.m. start and one at 3:00 p.m. For playoffs we can have night games, get a big crowd and get a lot more spectators in there.”

Williams is pleased 2021 will feature a full out of province playoff with the B.C., Prairie and Ontario conference.

The Canadian Bowl CJFL championship will be played in Ontario on Dec. 4.

With the announcement of a season coming so close to opening day, the Raiders are seeking housing for some of their out of town players.

“It would be really nice for some families to take on a couple of guys. For 17-year-olds coming from Ontario for example the transition can be difficult, but it’s always easier with that community support.”

Williams noted the players the players all work or go to school and would be expected to pay rent.

More information on the team’s housing requirements is available on the Raiders website and an email is set up to handle inquiries at housing@viraiders.ca.

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