Victoria Rebels football team readies for home opener

By Paul Seal • Published on Thursday, July 29, 2010 • Categorized as Local News, Sports and Outdoor Recreation

The Victoria Rebels will play their first home game of the 2010 season this Saturday, July 31st at Langford’s Bear Mountain Stadium at City Centre Park.

The Rebels enter their 25th season in the BC Football Conference, and this year’s schedule has them playing five regular-season home games, and five on the road.

The ten-game season may seem short by hockey, baseball, or even pro football standards, but the preparation for this season goes back months, if not a full year. Head coach John Cardilicchia was busy right from the end of last season (although he was not named head coach until January of this year, he was already an integral part of the coaching staff) recruiting players then hosting a try-out camp in April. Main camp began at the start of July.

What many casual fans may not know is that the talent field in this level of football is relatively high. The team consists of highly talented players in the 18-22 age range, however, with high school football not fully developed on the Island, the team recruits heavily in Alberta and Ontario. And outside of going through the US or Canadian university and college ranks, the BC league is a direct stepping stone to bigger prospects for these young players.

Victoria Rebels football. Photo © by Gary Woodburn.

One can see evidence of players moving through football ranks by looking right across the water, where 2009 Vancouver Island Raiders standout running back (and now receiver) Andrew Harris secured a regular spot with the BC Lions this year. 2007 Rebel Jordan Matechuk and 2006 Rebel Rob Cote both play in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and local product Mo Elewonibi went on to a four-year NFL stint before finishing out his pro career in the CFL.

The game against the Kamloops Broncos starts at 4pm this Saturday.

To follow the Rebels on the VibrantVictoria discussion forum, click here.

To follow the team on Facebook, click here.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are available online or at the Select Your Tickets box office by clicking here or at the gate prior to the game.

Responses to this Headline or Article

The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's Victoria Rebels football thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:

VicHockeyFan

Aug 17, 2009 at 10:24 am

And now it's another new season. Rebels are 3-0 after their win yesterday in Chiliwack.

Next home game vs. Vancouver Island (Nanaimo) Raiders out at Bear Mountain Stadium, Saturday, August 29th @ 7pm.

Mike K.

Jul 29, 2010 at 5:12 pm

...

Quote: Victoria Rebels football team readies for home opener
By Paul Seal, VibrantVictoria.ca
http://vibrantvictoria.ca/?p=3802

The Victoria Rebels will play their first home game of the 2010 season this Saturday, July 31st at Langford’s Bear Mountain Stadium at City Centre Park.

The Rebels enter their 25th season in the BC Football Conference, and this year’s schedule has them playing five regular-season home games, and five on the road.

The ten-game season may seem short by hockey, baseball, or even pro football standards, but the preparation for this season goes back months, if not a full year. Head coach John Cardilicchia was busy right from the end of last season (although he was not named head coach until January of this year, he was already an integral part of the coaching staff) recruiting players then hosting a try-out camp in April. Main camp began at the start of July.

VicHockeyFan

Jul 31, 2010 at 4:51 am

Quote: Rebels look to stay on a roll

Game Day: KAMLOOPS at Victoria, 4 P.M.

By Pedro Arrais, Times Colonist July 31, 2010 3:05 AM

The Victoria Rebels kicked off this year's B.C. Football Conference season with a convincing win last weekend against Chilliwack and hope to do more of the same today.

Their 55-27 win over the Chilliwack Huskers in their first game gave them an auspicious start to the 2010 regular season. Rebels president Roger Wade says although the Huskers were worthy opponents, they were hamstrung by new players.

"Chilliwack has a young team," says Wade. "They have a dedicated coaching staff but a lot of young players."

They're not alone.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Rebels+look+stay+roll/3346559/story.html#ixzz0vGATlKpg

VicHockeyFan

Aug 01, 2010 at 2:38 am

Quote: Rebels hammer weary Broncos

VICTORIA 23 KAMLOOPS 7

By David Karp, Times Colonist July 31, 2010

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/todays-paper/Rebels+hammer+weary+Broncos/3348689/story.html#ixzz0vLU3VgSf

VicHockeyFan

Aug 14, 2010 at 2:01 am

Quote: Rebels eye revenge in rematch with Rams

Game Day: Victoria at Surrey, 4 P.M.

By Sharie Epp, Times Colonist August 14, 2010 1:10 AM

Seventeen penalties on Saturday adds up to 17 gassers on Wednesday.

Having his team run 17 sprints up and down Bear Mountain Stadium at the end of practice this week was coach John Cardilicchia's way of reminding his boys about the 17 penalties they took in a 35-17 loss to the South Surrey Rams last weekend.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Rebels+revenge+rematch+with+Rams/3399071/story.html#ixzz0wZLiOAUK

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