Recent seasons will not tell the tale of 2016.
After signing 65 players for the upcoming season, Westshore Rebels head coach and general manager J.C. Boice said this year’s squad is ready to move on from last years 2-8 record to compete for the B.C. Football Conference championship.
“Last year we had a change of culture, we had to begin to compete and we did that, we showed up every day,” he said. “This year we are going to compete and we expect to win every game we play this year.”
In addition to a new roster of players, the front office has seen a number of key changes, starting with West Shore business leader Doug Kobayashi coming on as executive director and president. In addition, former Okanagan Suns head coach Shane Beatty has signed on as assistant coach and Boice’s own duties expanded to include the title of GM.
“From the top down, as a program, everyone is committed to developing football players and young men as well,” Boice said. “These kids now are committed, they are getting out of bed early in the morning and going to work and they are working on the field and off the field. We are establishing good life patterns and we are proud of that.”
One of those new recruits, 20-year-old quarterback Scott Borden Jr., moved across the country from Halifax to continue his football career. He hopes to be one of the leaders on the gridiron and in the community.
“It’s been great, ever since I have been out here as a football player I have really excelled,” he said. “The coaching here is really beyond – it’s the best in the country by far.”
Borden has a prediction for this team, which he believes has all the tools necessary to be among the league’s best.
“I know we are going to be a successful team this year. We prepare really hard and that is how you win football games.” He added of the Rebels’ opener against the Langley Rams: “See you July 24, we will be ready.”
alim@goldstreamgazette.com