Vancouver Island Raiders

The Vancouver Island Raiders are a Canadian Junior Football team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Raiders compete in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC), which is part of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). The team plays its home games at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium and competes annually for the BCFC championship Cullen Cup, and the Canadian Bowl, the CJFL national championship.

The Raiders were founded in 2005 in Nanaimo, BC. Between 2006 and 2011, the team captured six consecutive BCFC Championships, adding two more in 2013 and 2017. The Raiders also won three national titles (2006, 2008, 2009) and appeared in five Canadian Bowl games overall. In 2018, the Raiders were inducted into the BC Football Hall of Fame in recognition of their sustained excellence and impact on the sport.

The Raiders are led by President and Director of Football Operations Andrew Harris, a four-time Grey Cup champion and one of the most decorated players in CFL history. Head Coach Shawn Arabsky and General Manager Terrek Bryant, both former Raiders players, oversee the team’s football operations and player development.

The Vancouver Island Raiders have produced numerous standout players who have gone on to excel at the university and professional levels, helping establish the team as a national development powerhouse.
Andrew Harris – Four-time Grey Cup champion; among the CFL’s all-time leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Lorne Plante – Manitoba Bisons and BC Lions (CFL).

Brian Ridgeway – Drafted 39th overall by the Montreal Alouettes in 2010; played for Simon Fraser University and Saint Mary’s University.

Andrew Smith – Manitoba Bisons and Montreal Alouettes (CFL).

Jordan Yantz – CJFL all-time passing yards leader; U Sports quarterback with CFL tryouts.

Whitman Tomusiak – CJFL all-time receiving yards leader; former BC Lions receiver.
Other notable alumni include Jaiden Smith, Josh Williams, Karim Maher, Jordan Botel, Ranji Atwall, Michael Schaefer, and Quinton Bowles.

The Raiders are deeply connected to Nanaimo, often referred to as the Harbour City, with strong community partnerships and outreach programs supporting youth sports, education, and local initiatives. In 2025, the organization celebrated its first ever Jr. Raiders Youth Camp, and its 20th anniversary season, marking two decades of brotherhood, growth, and championship tradition on Vancouver Island.

Head Coach:
Shawn Arabsky
Offensive Coordinator:
Chris Ashman
Defensive Coordinator:
Shawn Arabsky
Special Teams Coordinator:
Terrek Bryant

President:
Andrew Harris
Vice President:
Kabel Atwall
Senior Consultant
Warren McCarty
General Manager:
Terrek Bryant