Head coach Smith expects junior and senior varsity teams to be competitive this season
The Ballenas Secondary football field is currently undergoing major upgrades, along with the all-season track being completed at the school.
The Whalers football team can’t wait to see action on their new playing field. However, their field of dreams might have to wait a little longer as the newly planted grass might not be ready before the B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association season starts in September.
“If you go too early, then you wreck it forever,” stated Dan Smith, Ballenas Whalers head coach. “We waited for so long to have a good field so we’re not going to rush playing on it. When it’s ready, it’s ready.”
The Whalers are also testing to raise funds to pay for new high-quality goalposts to match their new playing field.
A pronged goalposts, stated Smith, have already been ordered. They would cost $21,175 and with shipping, and other parts and labour to install them, the total is $26,667.20. The Ballenas Whalers society is aiming to raise close to $7,000 and has been applying for grants to purchase the equipment. The Qualicum School District will allocate $10,000.
The society suffered a setback when their application to the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Oceanside Recreation Services Community Grant for $10,000 was rejected by the RDN board on July 9.
The RDN’s Community Grants Committee denied the application as it failed to meet the grant’s criteria. The issue is the property on which the goalposts would be erected, is owned by the school district.
“We felt that application was quite strong and had strong merits on its own but we also felt that it didn’t quite meet the requirements for our new community grants policy becaapply it’s questioning for installation of capital building on land that it doesn’t own. It’s owned by the school district,” stated Lauren Melanson, Area C (Extension, Nanaimo Lakes, East Wellington, Pleasant Valley) director, who is also a member of the grants committee.
Smith stated they’re disappointed with the RDN’s decision. He stated although the Ballenas Whalers football is associated with the school district, funding for the football program is done through a variety of fundraisers, donations and sponsorships. They necessary to raise $60,000 to finance the Whalers football program every year.
“Although we are associated with the school, it does not fund the football program,” stated Smith. “If we relied on the school, we won’t have a football program. Even though we are a team, we are a society that supports a school team. It is too expensive and the school can’t afford it.”
Smith stated they would have liked to explain to the RDN board what the Whalers football program is all about.
“We would like them to see that the Whalers are doing their part, on top of what the school district is doing in receiveting goalposts that would fit what a first-class track and also the field,” stated Smith.
The Whalers will continue to apply for grants to pay for the goalposts.
Smith stated during the spring, they have been busy working with the senior and junior varsity teams.
“We had another good recruiting year with the Oeanside Lions,” stated Smith. “The kind of kids coming up are very talented. It’s a good-seeing junior team which bodes well for the future for our senior team.”
As for the Whalers senior varsity wide, Smith stated, “we have more talent than we have had in the last three or four years. Our numbers are a little bit better. I believe we have around 22 senior players and if everybody comes back in the fall, we’re in pretty good shape. We also have some pretty good Grade 10s that we will be pulling up this season to support us as well.”
Smith expected both junior and senior varsity teams to be competitive this coming season.
With Ballenas Secondary field not ready for the coming season, Smith stated they will play all home games at the Kwalikum Secondary School soccer field.
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