The Westshore Rebels, on the eve of the opening of training camp, announced Friday that Scott Mennie has stepped down as head coach of the football club. He will be replaced, in the interim, by Tim Kearse.
Mennie, the team鈥檚 defensive co-ordinator the last three years and a former star in the sa国际传媒 Football Conference, removed himself from the position for personal reasons and family commitments.
Kearse is no stranger to the Rebels鈥� organization, where he first began as a coach with the then Victoria Rebels along with John Cardilicchia and Leo Blanshard back in 1998.
A former National Football League and Canadian Football League player, Kearse then went on to be an assistant coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats over a span of 10 seasons, following three years with the Rebels.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of familiarity there,鈥� Rebels president Roger Wade said of Kearse, who was back as an offensive assistant last season with the Rebels. 鈥淗e knows most of the players so it was a natural fit for us.鈥�
Cardilicchia, who stepped down following last season, has now returned to the Rebels as a special assistant to Wade.
Kearse was slated to be the offensive co-ordinator and receivers coach for the 2013 BCFC campaign and now takes on the head coaching duties.
Camp begins today at Belmont Secondary where the team will also utilize a classroom to go along with morning and afternoon sessions throughout the weekend.
A total of 76 players are expected at camp, among them are veteran offensive linemen Kyle Daechsel and Carlos Cerrato-Hiebert, defenders Mike Barry, Colton Farago and Chris Pastro, running back Niles Goguen, quarterbacks Mark Black and Mike Dumesnil and receiver Eric Eggleston.
They are expected to return back to Westhills Stadium on Tuesday for regular practices in preparation for the season.
The Rebels open against the Vancouver Island Raiders on July 27 at Westhills Stadium before moving on to face the 2012 BCFC champion Langley Rams on the road the following week.
Westshore is then back home to the Okanagan Sun and Langley the following two weeks as the Rebels face a gruelling opening to their schedule.
