‘They gave me so much:’ VI Raiders icon determined to turn franchise around

“They gave so much to me and really spring-boarded my career to what it is now and playing in my last season and playing 13 years in the CFL and four Grey cups and going for my fifth, it’s all because of this organization,” Harris said with his trademark beaming smile.

Harris established multiple Canadian Junior Football League records during five years with the Raiders between 2005 and 2009.

The Andrew Harris era in Nanaimo cemented the Raiders as a dynasty organization, winning the league title in every season #33 wore black and red.

The Raiders also won three national titles when Harris was on the team.

While the organization has much to be proud about, on-field success has been minimal for the Raiders over the past several years.

The hard times hit an all-time low last year when the club registered a disastrous 1-9 record.

“I’m really excited to be back. It’s a work in progress, where the team was at the last few years is not the standard that I have,” Harris said.

While an improved on-field product is a priority, Harris said success off the field is equally important.

He wants their roster to continually grow not only as athletes, but as people to better prepare themselves for the future, whatever that may be.

Harris recalled being “a 17-year-old punk” when first arriving in the Harbour City from Winnipeg in 2005.

All these years later he said it was “a no-brainer” to put roots down in the city that shaped who he is today.

“This team, this community, this city, the coaches, the players really gave me a lot — I learned a lot from the community, I learned humility, I learned gratitude.”

Harris explained his vision for the team that helped launched his lengthy CFL career. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Harris spoke at length about building meaningful partnerships with corporate and community partners to the benefit of everybody involved with the Raiders organization.

“We need support from the community, the City, local businesses, the university; it’s going to take a village to raise this team and raise individuals as well,” Harris said.

Harris is currently house-hunting and plans to move to Nanaimo with his partner Danica and their young son by early next year.

Kabel Atwall, president of the non-profit VI Raiders, called getting a commitment from Harris to lead the organization “an important chapter in our history.”

He said Harris will set the team’s tone and direction.

“We’ve had a very good past, but things have changed and things need to move on and I think we are moving on. We’ve made a bunch of recruitments to the board, we’ve tried to get more engaged in the community,” Atwall said.

Jay Daniels will serve as interim head coach this season until Harris takes over next year.

Daniels was appointed by Harris to the position.

“We’ve got a lot of young athletes coming out and I think that we’re going to surprise a few people, a lot of talent in this young pool…I think we’re looking really good developing this year and into the future,” Daniels said.

Daniels was formally a head coach in the Comox Valley Raiders youth football program.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and a big responsiblity. This team’s got a lot of history of championships and winning, so bringing that back to the field and working with Andrew Harris is a fantastic opportunity for me personally and for this organization and for the city,” Daniels said.

The VI Raiders open the 2023 regular season in Nanaimo against the Westshore Rebels on Saturday, July 29 at 3 p.m. at Q’uniq’inuqwstuxw Stadium.

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On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

‘They gave me so much:’ VI Raiders icon determined to turn franchise around

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