The VI Raiders are back in the BCFC playoffs for the first time since 2021. They go in as the fourth seed regardless of the result of their last regular season game against the Langley Rams. (Joshuah Ruckstuhl)

By Dan Marshall

Post Season Bound

VI Raiders have one final tune up ahead of return to BCFC Playoffs

Oct 4, 2025 | 6:51 AM

NANAIMO — After a four year absence the VI Raiders will return to the BCFC playoffs.

The Raiders have a 4-4-1 record heading into their final regular season game and they know they will finish the season as the fourth seed.

Head coach Shawn Arabsky is pleased for the group and particularly his veterans who had to endure some losing seasons recently.

“I’m really excited for the kids, especially the fifth year guys that have been here. In their first year in 2021 we made playoffs and it’s the first team in playoffs since then. It’s a huge step for the organization.”

VI hosts the Langley Rams on Oct. 4 and Arabsky will be strategic about his lineup for the game.

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“The goal is to win but it’s also to get some experience to some of the young guys that haven’t played as much this year. Some starters won’t be playing and other guys will be stepping up this week.”

The regular season finale is also dedicated to the Raiders alumni.

Arabsky said celebrating players from the past is important but there’s also a hope that they may be able to reconnect some of their alumni to the current organization.

“It’s going to be about honouring them and our GM Terrek Bryant is working hard to find creative ways to get them excited about the team. That leads to more people involved in the organization, more recruiting and a better run operation when you have a stong alumni presence.”

With the playoffs on the horizon the Raiders will be the underdogs against an Okanagan Sun squad on the verge of an undefeated season.

“It’s about being fearless and playing the game extremely well,” Arabsky said. “The game of field position and doing little things leads to success. When you get an opportunity to make a big play you need to make it. We’re playing with house money in the playoffs here going in as the fourth seed. Anything can happen if you have confidence.”

The Raiders have adopted a mentality of focusing on their own strengths for the playoffs and Arabsky has a lot of faith in his group.

“We’ve run the ball extremely well the last few weeks, we have a great receiver room and our defence has played really well. We could outplay them if we play our game and play well. They’re going to try to be extremely physical and it’s going to be up to us to stay composed and stay focused and execute what we’re trying to do in our mission.”

VI has made steady progress over the last several years going from the bottom of the league standings into a playoff position.

Arabsky said one of the benefits is seeing an influx of recruits committing to the team early.

The Raiders had only one committed player at this time last year while they already have ten for 2026.

“In terms of where we need to go it’s really about creating a bigger tree of operations. It’s about finding good people to join our board and to run different committees for the team to grow it into a bigger operation. Okanagan for example has three times the budget we do and probably five times as many people involved in the organization on the back end.”

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