The VI Raiders have had a tough season on the field, and have had to deal multiple times with the loss of property and equipment through fire and theft. (Jennifer Laver Photography)

By Dan Marshall

Resilient Raiders

VI Raiders tumultuous season wraps up with final game in Westshore

Oct 8, 2022 | 5:54 AM

NANAIMO — The VI Raiders are finishing off their 2022 season with one final game in Westshore Oct. 8.

It’s been a challenging year on the field with the team sporting a 1-8 record.

The last 13 months have been even more trying because of three separate incidents which caused nearly $100,000 in damage and stolen property and equipment.

Raiders president Kabel Atwal said the organization needs to move past it and keep moving forward. A lesson they’ve tried to instill in their players.

“It’s been difficult and things happened that we couldn’t control so that makes it a little bit more frustrating.The community in general has been very supportive of us and it was certainly shown by the outpouring of support we got with the last incident at Caledonia Park.

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The loss was estimated at $50,000 in the theft which took place Sept. 1.

That came on the heels of $30,000 in damages from a July 2022 fire and $15,000 of lost gear and supplies from a robbery in September of 2021.

It was hard just finding enough gear and equipment to practice let alone trying to go out every week and compete in a rigorous BCFC season.

Atwal said the football community rallied to help the team.

“In some instances it was five dollars or in the case of Andrew Harris it was larger funds. Langley Minor Football contributed 20 shoulder pads and we also had a gentleman who took our equipment manager down to Canadian Tire and said go in and buy all the tools you need.”

Discussions are underway with the City of Nanaimo to ensure the Raider have better safety and security for their facilities down the road but Atwal admits it’s a work in progress.

“We’ve had some good meetings and they’re going to institute some programs to make our facilities are more secure. They recognize the uniqueness of the issue and are willing to help. Our discussions with them will continue on but we’re confident things will improve.”

On the field VI is coming off a bye week to prepare for the regular season finale.

Atwal believes the team will have a strong showing in the Oct. 8 game.

“We’re got a good group of players and coaches. We’ll put our best foot forward and If everything works out right we can win the game.”

The Raiders have already begun their preparations for 2023.

They won’t be a playoff team so it will be a busy recruiting year

The current team is for the most part a mix of graduating veterans and promising young players.

“We’ll be hitting recruiting really hard. We didn’t have a lot of players in the 19 and 20-year-old range this season. We’ll be working to get a good balance on the team.”

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