After dominating the Southern Interior Football Conference last year, the Vernon Magnums are ready to venture further afield in search of stiffer competition.
The Magnums, runners-up at the 2011 B.C. Midget championships, will be showcasing North Okanagan talent in regular-season play against opponents from the Lower Mainland.
“This is a major step for competitive football athletes in our region,” said Magnum head coach Bill (Lumpy) Tarr. “Competitive football athletes from our entire area between the ages of 14 to 18 are now assured of a continued excellent football experience in 2012.”
The Magnums have been a big draw for talent from Vernon’s high school football programs, and from other outlying schools that do not have programs in place.
“We are playing serious football again this year and for many years to come,” said Tarr. “Our player- and family-focused programs are growing every year due to the entire football experience we offer. The success of our program is shown in its continual growth and success on the scoreboard, with only one loss in the past two seasons.”
The Vernon and District Minor Football Association serves players starting as young as seven years old in the Atom division (the Blue Bombers are the defending B.C. champs). The Magnums welcome players between the ages of 16 and 18, while the Bantam Wolverines squad is open to players aged 14 and 15.
Other divisions include the Pee Wee Yellow Jackets and Junior Bantam Marauders.
“Our entire community has really supported our programs in past years and we can now offer increased sports tourism activity and revenue by bringing teams from two different divisions in to our area,” said Tarr, who also serves as vice-president of Vernon minor football. “Some of these teams come with over 80 players, coaches, families and fans per team which need to be lodged and fed during their visits.”
Anyone interested in playing, or becoming involved with Vernon minor football can e-mail Tarr at coachlumpy@shaw.ca.
