Photo courtesy of Shoot the Breeze Photography

The defending Canadian Bowl champion Okanagan Sun open their 2023 Spring Camp this coming weekend as they prepare for their national title defence, their first since 2001.

The Sun had an incredible season last year going undefeated from start to finish, en route to a thrilling, come from behind Canadian Bowl victory in Regina.  It was their third national crown in franchise history after winning in 1988 and in 2000.  They have now won a Canadian title in all three CJFL Conferences, winning in Hamilton in 1988 (OFC), hosting and winning in 2000 (BCFC) and on the road in Regina (PFC) last year.

After winning a national crown, recruiting players is a bit easier and the Sun who already have an incredible pedigree will host Spring Camp with over 100 players strapping in.  Camp will feature a nice mix of first year players along with some of the veterans that are returning, looking to repeat the magic of last season. 

BC Conference Coach of the Year, Travis Miller also returns knowing what it takes to win a Canadian Bowl championship.  This season the winner of the BC Conference will host the title game, so getting to that standpoint is arguably easier than winning a pair of national games on the road like they had to do last year. 

All that said, the Sun will have several question marks following the graduation of numerous starters from last year.  Their Spring Camp will help answer some of those questions.

They will open the new campaign on Saturday July 29 when they travel to Prince Geroge to face the Kodiaks before their home opener the following weekend when they welcome the Valley Huskers.  They are planning to honour the 2022 team at their home opener.