Football teams throw flag over being left out of provincials

High school football teams in the interior are up in arms over a ruling that means they won’t be able to compete for provincial championships this year.

BC School Sports issued a statement on Wednesday saying it will modify its championship structure to a regional style event due to the flooding events that have led to a provincial state of emergency.

“This is extremely unfortunate, especially after missing the opportunity last year due to the pandemic, but necessary based on where we currently stand with regards to travel limitations across the province,” said executive director Jordan Abney.

“We believe this is the best option to provide a safe and quality experience for athletes and football programs in all regions as they conclude their high school football season.”

The decision means all interior teams still eligible in the junior and senior playoffs are now excluded from competing against Coastal teams in the provincial championships.

The excluded teams include the Vernon Panthers, Duchess Park Condors, South Kamloops Titans, Kelowna Owls, and Rutland Voodoos who are competing in junior or senior AA and AAA divisions.

Jesse Kunicky, an associate coach with the VSS Panthers, is upset that BC School Sports did not consult with them or consider other options before making the decision.

“This decision was made before there was any opportunity for the roads to re-open. Due to economic reasons, it would be fair to say that by next week some roadways will be opened between the Lower Mainland and Interior due to necessity of transporting supplies,” Kunicky said on Facebook.

Kunicky said the Panthers have offered to fly and fundraise for air travel to any games played in the Vancouver area at their own cost.

The associate coach also points out that the coastal teams will be allowed to play games at BC Place.

“The money used to pay rent for use of the stadium is in part from the interior teams, who have now been told they are not allowed to use the facility they have in part paid to use.”

Kunicky believes no team vying for a provincial title will be happy with the decision, and he’s urging people to contact Abney at BC School Sports to voice concerns about the ruling.

“Although we understand the nature of the weather damage, we are in a position to carry forward with the playoff travel commitments if given the opportunity,” Kunicky remarked. “Going through with the travel will be done safely, and having the playoffs as previously planned will have absolutely no impact on the recovery efforts of the flood damage.”

Other interior high school teams like soccer, are facing a similar, but different, situation.

One suggestion was to fly the team to the coast, but given the short notice, the cost would be an issue.and earned a berth at the provincials that is scheduled to take place from Nov. 22–24 in Burnaby.

“We have been told by a representative at BC School Sports that the board has decided to go ahead without altering any plans despite all roads being shut,” said Darlene Loland, a parent. “Their reasoning was that there were no fields available to reschedule and that they had to take the mental health of the kids into consideration, especially since all school sports were cancelled last year.”

One suggestion was to fly the team to the Coast, but given the short notice, the cost would be an issue.

Loland said in an email to media, unlike the football teams who will get to play in regional playdown, soccer does not plan to do that.

“Considering the past year, between COVID, the fires here in our area and now the floods, maybe someone should be considering the mental health of our boys. If you attend a small high school in a small town outside of the lower mainland shouldn’t you count too?” Loland asked.

Vernon Matters has reached out to BC School Sports for comment on the concerns.

Click here for more on BCSS’s decision on the football schedule.