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Member Monday: Kamloops Broncos

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 04/12/21, 4:00PM PDT

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Former Cowboys, now Broncos

Photo courtesy of Jim Motokado

When the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) expanded to Kamloops in 2001 the franchise was known as the Cowboys playing in the BC Conference.

The Cowboys struggled in their first three seasons posting a record of 5-25 and missed the post season each year.

Prior to the 2004 season the franchise applied for a non-playing status citing several reasons.  The CJFL granted the application and continued to work with the ownership group in hopes of them returning to the league in the near future.

Finally in 2007 the Kamloops franchise returned to the CJFL , but this time under the name Broncos.   They didn’t make as big of a splash in that first season back as the team had hoped finishing 1-9.   Despite the challenging record the Broncos were fortunate to immediately play at one of the nicest venues across the League in Hillside Stadium on the campus of Thompson Rivers University.   The Stadium has a field turf surface and has locker rooms for both teams.  It has also been used by the BC Lions during training camps in previous years.  

Over the course of their 13 CJFL seasons, the Broncos have an overall record of 29-99-1 with their best finish in the 2014 season.  That year they compiled a 6-4 record, finishing third in the Conference sending them to their second straight post season berth.  In all, the Broncos have seen the playoffs three times; 2013, 2014 and 2015 but are still looking for their first post season win.

The Broncos have developed some incredible talent throughout their CJFL membership including receiver Derek Yachison.  The Winnipeg native had 194 receptions from 2011-2015, second most in CJFL history with 2,763 yards.  He hauled in 73 receptions in a single season in 2015 and was named the CJFL Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year.

Quarterback Colby Henkel was named the CJFL Rookie of the Year in 2016 completing 171 passes for 2,186 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The Broncos have stumbled in the last couple of years but have high hopes this season with a new, energetic head coach in Braden Vankoughnett.   The franchise believes this new energy to the team is just what they need to get back to the CJFL post season.

Quick Broncos Facts:
Conference – BC Conference
Location – 944 Dalhousie Dr. Kamloops
Victoria President – Darren Watt
 Head Coach – Braden Vankoughnett
Stadium – Hillside Stadium
Social Handle - @KamloopsBroncos / @KamBroncos
Motto – #RunWithUs
Primary Colours – Blue / Orange / White