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The VI Raiders had 75 players at their recent spring camp. In a three year window the team has turned the program around from a winless 2023 to a BCFC playoff spot in 2025. The club is excited to progress further in 2026. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NNN)
Ramping Up

VI Raiders begin journey towards BCFC regular season with spring camp

May 10, 2026 | 6:10 AM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders are taking steps forward to return to the top of the BCFC.

The team went winless in 2023, then made a huge step forward to 4-6 in 2024 and earned a playoff spot with a 5-4-1 record in 2025.

There’s two months before the 2026 campaign begins but the first step was spring camp on the May 1-3 weekend.

Head coach Shawn Arabsky said they had about 75 players on the field.

“It was a really good camp. We have a really good group of guys. I can’t speak highly enough of the players we have, not just talent but personality and character.”

Spring camp went through competition drills, team schematics and ended with a scrimmage game on May 3.

Arabsky explained with about 30-35 guys still in town after camp work will continue towards the season opener which will likely be the third week of July.

“The goal of the camp was to install a lot and try to get ahead rather than to sit back and evaluate guys. We wanted to throw a lot at the guys and see who can pick up stuff fast and see who can be ready for July camp. Now we’ll start to expand everything as well.”

Most of the team’s recruiting is already done but there could be a trickle down of players becoming available as well as some players who haven’t made a final decision yet on their destination for the upcoming junior football season.

Arabsky said the culture of the team has completely changed over the past three seasons and the Raiders have completely turned over their roster in that time.

“We’ve completely replenished this team. Every guy is here for a reason and that’s to be a part of this team, a part of this culture and to be coached by me and this staff. We’ve got such a great staff with Chris Ashman and Trevor Bowles and other guys as well. Then there’s also help from Warren McCarty and Andrew Harris our team president. The group we have is very special with how they get along and support each other and how well they get along.”

Arabsky said the Raiders who are currently in Nanaimo will be on the field twice a week, in the gym four times a week and having regular film sessions in the lead up to main camp on July 3 and the regular season.

“Our goal is to just keep getting better from 5-4-1 to 7-3 or 8-2. We need to win bigger games when we have to and win the games we should win. It’s about trying to go 1-0 every day.”

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