Fall sports are getting underway in Nanaimo. The VI Raiders open the BCFC season Sept. 11 against Langley. The VIJHL's Nanaimo Buccaneers have already started their campaign. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Fall Sports

Season openers for Raiders and Buccaneers cue Nanaimo’s fall sports calendar

Sep 11, 2021 | 6:09 AM

NANAIMO — The return of VI Raiders football and Nanaimo Buccaneers hockey signal the beginning of the local fall sports season.

Raiders head coach Curtis Vizza said not having a season in 2020 was a void which nothing else could fill.

“Something was taken away from the players and they realized what the sport meant to them. Seeing them take advantage of what’s in front of them and their desire to be great is something special.”

The coaching staff is taking a one day at a time approach to the season with all the focus on game one against the Langley Rams Sept. 11 at NDSS field.

“As much as we want to predict we’ll win BC and put out realistic expectations for the rest of the county, we’re just worried about ourselves. “We want to get better each day and find our way into success.”

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The Raiders’ move to NDSS Turf Field comes with mixed emotions.

Vizza said although he has wonderful memories of Caledonia Park it was time to move to a field with more modern facilities and proper lighting.

“The players love playing on the turf. It’s got a great feel for them and they’re all excited for the first night game Nanaimo has ever hosted.”

Raiders home games are at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 18, with a 7 p.m. start on Oct. 9 and 3 p.m. kickoff Oct. 30.

The Nanaimo Buccaneers started their season on Sept. 9 with a 3-2 overtime loss to Saanich. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The Nanaimo Buccaneers did get in a few games in the fall of 2020 but for some of the players on the roster the Sept. 9 home opener against Saanich was the first game action since COVID-19 restrictions were implemented.

Head coach Paul Pipke said the excitement level for the hockey season is very intense.

“I don’t think you can measure it. The boys are just chomping at the bit and dying to get going. These players have been training for the last eight to nine months for this moment.”

The Bucs lost their opening game of the regular season 3-2 in overtime but Pipke said he’s already seen a high level of heart and willingness to sacrifice to make plays.

“We’re looking at establishing some chemistry with the veteran leadership and the young players coming in. You need to have three lines in this league and we’re working towards that.”

Nanaimo is still in the process of solidifying their roster with possible help coming from higher levels.

“Being close to the Nanaimo Clippers there may be a couple of players they want us to look at who don’t quite make their team. As new players trickle in and out we’ll make the best decisions not just for the team but for our core group of players as well.”

The Buccaneers will once again be playing homes games on their traditional Thursday nights at 7:15 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. There are a few exceptions with some additional Sunday dates.

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