FOOTBALL DINOS OPEN FALL TRAINING CAMP IN PREPARATION FOR CANADA WEST REGULAR SEASON AND PRE-SEASON

For a quartet of young members on the University of Calgary Dinos football team, the pre-season game against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds is a chance to perform in front of many family and friends. It is also is a chance to play another game on the field where they had success in their High School at Vernon Secondary School.

The game between the Dinos and UBC marks the first time the Central Okanagan has hosted a U Sports football game. The contest being called the Kal Tire Kalamalka Bowl with game time being 7 PM at Greater Vernon Athletic Park on August 24.

The Dinos started their preparation for the Canada West regular season and the pre-season game Sunday with the commencement of Training Camp that consists of two practices daily at McMahon Stadium.

Receiver Zack Smith, offensive lineman Brady Szeman, and linebacker Liam Reid were all members of the Vernon Panthers Provincial 2A Championship team in 2018 and 2019 coached by Sean Smith. They were also Junior Provincial Champions in 2017. Rookie receiver Roan Reid, younger brother of Liam, is a freshman on the 2022 team, but due to the Coquihalla Highway damage the Panthers could only play in the BC Interior in 2021 losing to Kelowna Secondary Owls.

For Smith it will be his first action on the road with the Dinos as injuries prevented him from playing in just one game, the home opener in the shortened 2021 Canada West Conference schedule. Szeman dressed for a road contest in Regina. Smith and Szeman are being counted on to contribute in 2022 with the graduation of several receivers and offensive line personnel.

Reid saw the most action of the trio dressing for the six Conference games. Liam recorded nine solo tackles, five assisted tackles, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.

“I am stoked and excited about coming back to Vernon to play a game,” stated Szeman.

All four players are anxious to play in front of family, friends, and former teammates in Vernon with a large crowd expected to see the last two teams from Canada West that were Vanier Cup champions, with UBC winning in 2015 and Calgary in 2019.

“The role of the Kalamalka Bowl Society is to bring the highest level of amateur football to the North Okanagan,” states Malcolm Reid, Vice-President of the Society. “This will be the highest level of football ever played in the North Okanagan,” Reid stated.

The contest is gaining national attention and was mentioned on TSN during the recent Canadian Football League game between the BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders on Saturday evening.