Gaining the support of the community you play in requires more than simply winning on the field, says Elise Pastro.

The Westshore Rebels club president is doing her best to show that players who suit up for the team this season and subsequent ones are respectful and take seriously the role they play on and off the field.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e told the players, B次元官网网址榶ou need to be seen to be embraced by the community,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Pastro says, explaining that means in a positive way.

Player volunteer efforts at such charity functions as McHappy Day at McDonaldB次元官网网址檚 and Camp Day at Tim HortonB次元官网网址檚, and Minor Football Day have helped, she says. So did having a handful of Rebels accompany her to pick up the teamB次元官网网址檚 second-place plaque for the Favourite Local Sports Team in Black PressB次元官网网址� Best of the City readerB次元官网网址檚 survey.

B次元官网网址淥ur mantra this year is B次元官网网址楾urn it Around,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Pastro says.

Fielding a mostly local team in a highly competitive provincial junior football league might not seem like the best on-the-field strategy, with other teams recruiting talented players from across Western Canada.

But Pastro says the club executive and coaches have determined the best way to repair the teamB次元官网网址檚 negative reputation in some sectors of the community is to improve the team chemistry. Incidents involving bad behaviour by players in recent years have partly been a byproduct of bringing in out-of-town players who may not care about the community, she says.

Les Bryan, former club president and these days a team parent B次元官网网址� his son, Connor, is an offensive lineman B次元官网网址� agrees.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something about keeping it local,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淵ou bring a superstar in and it changes the team chemistry. Often theyB次元官网网址檙e only here for a year, whereas these guys have all played together or against each other in high school.B次元官网网址�

Sandra Deseron, a West Shore newcomer with two sons on the team, Eric and Korian, likes the feel of the team already and its place in the community.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a brotherhood,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got an integrated, well-bonded team here.B次元官网网址�

Part of creating a connection with fans and others on the West Shore and beyond is convincing business owners that partnering with the team to help cover costs is a good investment in community, Pastro says.

The club, a not-for-profit society, is still looking for sponsorships. Busing alone costs the team $17,000 per season, while field rentals are another $12,000.

For more information on supporting the team financially, visit and click on sponsorship/donations, or email Pastro at President@westshorerebels.ca.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com