In his first event as VI Raiders director of football operations, Andrew Harris will help evaluate young high school age players at an identification camp April 8 at NDSS field. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Future Raiders

VI Raiders ID camp first major event with alumni Andrew Harris at the helm

Apr 9, 2023 | 6:48 AM

NANAIMO — The Vancouver Island Raiders new director of football operations is beginning to put his stamp on the team.

Andrew Harris was front and centre as the team held their first ever high school evaluation camp on Saturday, April 8 at q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium.

Harris said he was keen to see a lot of players from the Island and the mainland with a focus on local players from the ages of 15-19.

“The biggest thing is to get them out there and test where they’re at and have a benchmark they can grow from. We’re doing a spider chart as well so they can see where they stack up with their position and their age group.”

Several combine stations were set up with some drills and one on one coaching time as well.

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The camp was not only a chance to scout future players, but also for Harris to get accustomed to his new role.

Harris said wants to gain some more in depth knowledge of the talent out there.

“I’ve talked to some kids for recruiting but the big thing for me is to get in front of them and get to know them as young men. My goal is to have success on the field but junior football was so instrumental in my life and helping me grow as a person. I want to help them get to the next stage in their life.”

Any of the players who made an impression on Harris and the coaches may get an invite to the Raiders spring camp May 26-28 with younger athletes getting on the radar for 2024 and beyond.

“You’ve always got to be grooming the next group of players. In competitive sports you’re always trying to find that next player, that next star, that diamond in the rough. It’s all about developing these guys to get the best out of there abilities.”

Harris is playing a final year with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL before becoming Raiders head coach in 2024 but he has worked out a plan to be at some of the Raiders early spring events.

“I’ll be coming out for spring camp, I’d like to thank the Argos they’ve been generous enough to facilitate my new venture.”

Harris won’t be able to be as hands on for main camp and the regular season which is why he’s laying the groundwork for the 2023 BCFC campaign now.

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