The VI Raiders are expecting a big turnaround after a 1-9 BCFC season in 2022. The Raiders have made big changes on and off the field as they begin their 2023 at home July 29 versus Westshore. (VI Raiders)

By Dan Marshall

Rebuilding the Raiders

VI Raiders look to get back to the playoffs in 2023

Jul 29, 2023 | 10:21 AM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders expect 2023 to be a season of growth and change.

Jay Daniels will take the reins as head coach and on the field the team has a very high roster turnover after a 1-9 season.

General manager Shawn Arabsky said everyone has a part to play in elevating the team.

“From the top all the way down to the bottom it’s all about change and turning things around. We’ve seen that and wer’e getting more help than we’ve had in previous years. Everyone is doing a great job buying in to what we’re trying to do.”

The season begins on Saturday, July 29 at home against the Westshore Rebels and Arabsky feels an all Vancouver Island matchup is a great way to kick things off.

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“It’s always a good game no matter how both teams are playing. There’s always a little bit of extra juice in the game. No matter the result I think it’s going to be a really fun first game.”

The Raiders aren’t looking at a specific number of wins in their ten game schedule but Arabsky said the club has a very important goal.

“We believe we’re a playoff team. Then we’ll build from there win by win and week by week. Once we’re in playoffs anything can happen.”

The team is still establishing an identity and Arabsky likes the approach coach Daniels is taking.

“He talks a lot about controlling the game, running the ball, getting into scoring position, taking shots and also taking field goals. With a defensive coach like Jay I think our identity will be physicality in the trenches with a game control offense.”

One area the Raiders feel will be a strength of the team this year is at receiver.

“I think our receiving core is one of the deepest in the league,” Arabsky said. “We’ve got some really good positional battles there. I think we’re running about nine or ten deep and we’ve just brought in some other guys as well.”

Recruiting was a focal point of the offseason with alumni and current CFLer Andrew Harris joining the management team.

Arabsky said there were many positions to fill but he’s happy with how the recruiting process panned out.

“I think it’s one of the best years we’ve had in a while. We have a lot of rookies, over 40 I think. We have 30-40 kids straight from high school as well as some older guys. There’s some internationals and guys from right across the country. It’s a completely rebuilt team with the whole organization working up the mountain but with the expectation of being a winning ball club.”

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