Photo Credit Mark Steffens
Professional sports teams are only as successful as ownership allows them to be and not wants them to be in part due to the personnel they hire to operate the club.
This isn’t directed at one specific club or team, but all teams ranging from amateur to pro teams from small towns, to major market cities.
We watch the movement of the CEBL taking the necessary steps moving and relocating teams so they don’t simply fold after being supported by their local fan base, regardless of location.
Locally we received the following notice from Matt Baker letting us know about BC Lions owner Amar Doman who was made the recipient of the CKNW Kids’ Fund Community Award. Such a prestigious award is given every year to an individual or company that has loyally supported the Kids’ Fund.
Along with his companies he has been supporting the Kids’ Fund since 2005 and also announced an additional donation of $45,000 to the charity.
This past season marked Mr. Doman’s first annual BC Lions Family Event where over 150 of the Kids Funds’ family members attended the October 15th game against the Blue Bombers; which they won.
Sideline News:
In other news the Lions have signed (Linebacker) Jacob Firlotte, (Offensive Lineman) Tyler Packer and (Defensive Lineman) Riley Pickett to extensions.
He joined the Lions prior to 2022 training camp and spent most of the season on the practice roster while suiting up in his lone contest on August 26 against Saskatchewan.
A member of the Sts’Ailes First Nation, Firlotte was a seventh-round pick (58th overall) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2018 and spent his rookie season on the practice roster.
The Abbotsford native was previously a member of the BCFC Langley Rams and recorded one punt return touchdown, an interception and 11 defensive tackles with the squad.
Suited up in a pair of regular season games in his rookie campaign and spent the majority on the practice roster.
A sixth-round selection (51st overall) by the Lions in 2021, Packer had a solid university career with the Calgary Dinos.
He was named Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2017 and a Canada West All-Star in 2018 and helped the Dinos capture the 2019 Vanier Cup, their first national title since 1995.
Appeared in ten regular season games this past season while recording three total tackles (two special teams, one defence).
He suited up in 30 games over three seasons (2018-19, 2021) with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and racked up 65 solo tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks and six pass knockdowns.
Pickett helped the Huskies capture the 2018 Hardy Cup and previously won three consecutive CJFL national titles (Canadian Bowl) with the Saskatoon Hilltops from 2015-17.
The club also announced the signings of two members of the 2022 Draft class:
Linebacker Ryder Varga and defensive lineman Adam Wallace.
Both players attended 2022 training camp before returning to school for their final year of eligibility.
He was a third-round selection (29th overall) in 2022, Varga played in 32 games with the University of Regina Rams from 2018-22, recording 157 total tackles (115 solo, 42 assisted), 21.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles. Varga was also named a Canada West All-Star in 2021.
He originally comes from North Bay Ontario and was a member of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees from 2018-22.
He appeared in 18 games and recorded 13 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
Wallace was drafted by the Lions in the eighth round (68th overall) in 2022
Thanks to Matt for the press release!!
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