The VI Raiders look to get their new BCFC season off on a winning note, visiting Prince George on Saturday. (Sheri Sansbury Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

football season

‘Everyone’s taking a step forward:’ VI Raiders open new season looking for overdue win

Jul 20, 2024 | 5:53 AM

NANAIMO — The new B.C. Football Conference is about redemption for the VI Raiders.

Winless in 2023 and just one victory to their name in 2022, the once formidable football franchise has fallen on hard times recently, but their sights are set on big gains in 2024.

Team general manager Shawn Arabsky told NanaimoNewsNOW a spirited and competitive main camp was followed by tough practices to refine a playbook ahead of their first game in Prince George on Saturday, July 20.

“There’s a lot of excitement. The guys have been waiting a long time for this game, and just for this year in general as well in terms of growth and improvement from the team top to bottom, organizationally, players, everyone’s taking a step forward.”

While around 80 to 90 per cent of the starting positions are spoken for, according to Arabsky, there is plenty of competition for time on the field.

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A handful of players are still making their way into town and are expected to join in the early parts of the BCFC season, while the game action will undoubtedly shift the lineup as well.

“It’s more of the guys that we trust are going to play first, but if you’re not that guy right away, then make sure you stay locked in, make sure you’re understanding the playbook, you’re talking to coaches, because then when your name is called, that could be your spot for the rest of the season.”

Arabsky admitted getting a long overdue win is their top priority, beginning Saturday.

“Some of the guys on this team haven’t won a game in close to two years, so getting the first win…whether it’s a big win, a close win, it would just take a little bit off the shoulders of some of the guys.”

Off the field, the Raiders have a familiar face in charge.

Andrew Harris will assume the reigns as head coach for the 2024 season, after spending last year as the Director of Football Operations while wrapping up a glittering career in the CFL, which included four Grey Cup Championships.

Harris’ fingerprints are all over this year’s squad through the recruiting process, according to Arabsky.

“He’s really helping with bringing in players from all over the country as well with this team, we really need to focus locally and start winning back the local talent. Vancouver Island pound for pound is one of the best football communities in Canada.”

Growing relationships with local programs such as John Barsby Secondary, Ballenas Secondary, as well as Football Nanaimo and teams in the Comox Valley and Duncan, are all paramount to success for the team, Arabsky said.

While Saturday’s game still carries a lot of unknowns for the Raiders, they want to use it as a chance to showcase how the team wants to go about their business this season.

“Speed and physicality are definitely kind of the two things I’d really like to see. Defensively, we’re going to try to create chaos and offensively, I know the boys are dialled in on doing their jobs, the right way, and being an efficient offence.

The Raiders host their home opener on Saturday, July 27, welcoming Okanagan to Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium.

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