Raider Red on Display at Orange Helmets

March 11, 2009

The VI Raiders, 2008 Canadian Bowl Champions, saw their accolades continue to grow on the heals of their second national championship in the last three seasons. This time the team and Head Coach Matthew "Snoop" Blokker were honored by the British Columbia Lions at their 6th Annual Orange Helmet Awards which recognizes the achievements of teams and individuals in amateur football around the province.

The Raiders won the award for BC Junior Football Team of the Year while Coach Blokker was named Community Coach of the Year. The Raiders sent players, coaches and management to the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver to represent the club and when presented with the awards, those sitting at the Raiders tables could easily be heard in the room of over 850 guests.

The evening was capped off with a key note address from Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger of Notre Dame fame who captured the spirit of the night's true meaning "the pursuit of life's dreams by using football". It was then fitting that the Lions unveiled that the Lifetime Achievement Award would be renamed the Bob Ackles Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob's family was in attendance for the presentation.

The VI Raiders would like to thank the BC Lions for yet another great event and for their recognition of the importance of amateur football in the province of British Columbia.