Oceanside Lions end football season on a happy note with Island title

A busy season for the Oceanside Lions Football Club has come to a close.

Both the Junior Bantam Lions and Peewee Lions played their final spring Vancouver Island Canadian Football Association (VICFA) games last weekend.

The Peewee Lions, 10 and 11 years old, took on the Saanich Wolverines for the VICFA championship. They had a strong start that they were able to sustain throughout the game and ended up clinching the title with a 32-8 decision. It’s their first-ever VICFA title.

They were led by quarterback Jayden Ellingson, who scored two touchdowns while team kicker and captain Declan Magee went 4-for-4 with extra points. 

Head coach Adam Charron and his assistant coaches have been working with the Peeweel Lions since practice started in February and he commended his players for all the efforts they’ve put in to improving their game throughout the season. 

“It’s been a long, tough season for our kids,” said Charron. “They worked really hard and pulled together in the end to beat a really strong team.”

The Junior Bantam Lions took on a tough Cowichan Bulldogs side in a close game that unfortunately didn’t go their way, as they fell 9-0. It was still a commendable result for the Lions, who started the season with a new coaching staff, with assistance from the Ballenas Whalers Football organization. 

“This year was a rebuild for our team, but they ended up having a season that they can be proud of,” said head coach Michael Pedersen. “We didn’t win the final, but our kids are ready to hit the fall season in full stride.  Thanks to the Whalers for helping us this season, our relationship will make both clubs stronger than ever.”

Oceanside Lions Club vice-president, Iwona Nicastri, congratulated the teams, who had to make adjustments when the Ballenas field, which was being upgraded along with the school’s track, was not available to them.

“We had to relocate our field to Kwalikum Sesoncdary Shool this season due to construction at Ballenas, but the kids proved to be extremely resilient in the end,” said Nicastri. “We’re so proud of them. This VICFA championship is the first time that the Oceanside Lions have ever won.  The program, coaches and executive worked extremely hard to put a great season together for the players.”

The Oceanside Lions fall football season will start up again in August. if your child would like to play for the Oceanside Lions, find them on Facebook, or check out https://www.oceansidelionsfootball.ca/