Vancouver Island Raiders
| Established | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Based in | Nanaimo, British Columbia |
| Home stadium | Q'unq'inuqwsuxw Stadium |
| League | Canadian Junior Football League |
| Division | BC Football Conference |
| Colours | Black, White, Red |
| Personnel | |
| Head coach | Shawn Arabsky |
| General manager | Terrek Bryant |
| Championships | |
| League titles (0) | 3 (2006, 2008, 2009) |
| Division titles (0) | 8 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017) |
| Website | viraiders.ca |
Vancouver Island Raiders
The Vancouver Island Raiders are a Canadian Junior Football team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Raiders compete in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC), which is part of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). The team plays its home games at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium and competes annually for the BCFC championship Cullen Cup, and the Canadian Bowl, the CJFL national championship.
History
The Raiders were founded in 2005 in Nanaimo, BC. Between 2006 and 2011, the team captured six consecutive BCFC Championships, adding two more in 2013 and 2017. The Raiders also won three national titles (2006, 2008, 2009) and appeared in five Canadian Bowl games overall. In 2018, the Raiders were inducted into the BC Football Hall of Fame in recognition of their sustained excellence and impact on the sport.
Leadership
The Raiders are led by President and Director of Football Operations Andrew Harris, a four-time Grey Cup champion and one of the most decorated players in CFL history. Head Coach Shawn Arabsky and General Manager Terrek Bryant, both former Raiders players, oversee the team’s football operations and player development.
Notable Alumni
The Vancouver Island Raiders have produced numerous standout players who have gone on to excel at the university and professional levels, helping establish the team as a national development powerhouse. Andrew Harris – Four-time Grey Cup champion; among the CFL’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns. Lorne Plante – Manitoba Bisons and BC Lions (CFL). Brian Ridgeway – Drafted 39th overall by the Montreal Alouettes in 2010; played for Simon Fraser University and Saint Mary’s University. Andrew Smith – Manitoba Bisons and Montreal Alouettes (CFL). Jordan Yantz – CJFL all-time passing yards leader; U Sports quarterback with CFL tryouts. Whitman Tomusiak – CJFL all-time receiving yards leader; former BC Lions receiver. Other notable alumni include Jaiden Smith, Josh Williams, Karim Maher, Jordan Botel, Ranji Atwall, Michael Schaefer, and Quinton Bowles.
Community and Legacy
The Raiders are deeply connected to Nanaimo, often referred to as the Harbour City, with strong community partnerships and outreach programs supporting youth sports, education, and local initiatives. In 2025, the organization celebrated its first ever Jr. Raiders Youth Camp, and its 20th anniversary season, marking two decades of brotherhood, growth, and championship tradition on Vancouver Island.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Shawn Arabsky
Offensive Coordinator:
Jake Laberge
Defensive Coordinator:
Shawn Arabsky
Special Teams Coordinator:
Terrek Bryant
Executives
President:
Andrew Harris
Vice President:
Kabel Atwall
Senior Consultant
Warren McCarty
General Manager:
Terrek Bryant
History
| Season | W | L | T | Stn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2nd | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| 2006 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Won Canadian Bowl |
| 2007 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Lost Inter-Conference Final |
| 2008 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Won Inter-Conference Final Won Canadian Bowl |
| 2009 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Won Canadian Bowl |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2nd | Won BCFC title LWon Inter-Conference Final Lost Canadian Bowl |
| 2011 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Lost Inter-Conference Final |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1st | Lost BCFC Championship |
| 2013 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1st | Won BCFC title Lost Canadian Bowl |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4th | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| 2015 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2nd | Lost BCFC Championship |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4th | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| 2017 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3rd | Won BCFC title Lost Inter-Conference Final |
| 2018 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3rd | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4th | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| 2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[1] | ||||
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4th | Season shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic.[1] |
| 2022 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 7th | Did not qualify for Playoffs |
| 2023 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7th | Did not qualify for Playoffs |
| 2024 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 5th | Did not qualify for Playoffs |
| 2025 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4th | Lost BCFC Semi-Final |
| All-Time Record | 118 | 56 | 3 | ||
References
- ^ a b "Rebels, Raiders will begin shortened BCFC season in September". Times Colonist. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Team Standings 1887-2017" (PDF). Canadian Junior Football League. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "BCFC Standings". BC Football Conference. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
External links