On Saturday (May 3), several BC Lions players were at Tom Binnie Park in Whalley for a flag-football tournament involving Indigenous youth.
The tourney wraps three weeks of skill-sharpening and team-building at fields across the Lower Mainland, as part of the CFL team's Indigenous Youth Program (IYP), launched in 2022 as an Orange Shirt initiative.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday's action at 10605 City Parkway (next to the Lions training site) involved Lions players as coaches including Nathan Rourke, Michael Couture, Ben Hladik, Keon Hatcher Sr., Sione Teuhema, Tibo Debaillie, Isaiah Messam, Dylan St. Pierre, Patrice Rene, Andrew Peirson, Keiran Poissant and alumni member Bo Lokombo.
“Going into our fourth year of IYP, the experience continues to be positive for both the youth and participating players,” said Jamie Taras, Lions’ director of community partnerships.
“It’s great to see these young athletes gain confidence, leadership and the ability to work as a team through this rewarding experience.”
The program is held in partnership with Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC), along with Prospera Credit Union, BC Hydro, LIUNA Local 1611, Fortis BC and Leavitt Machinery.
