(Submitted photo/Vernon Vipers)

By Liam Verster

Host A Viper

Vernon Vipers still in need of billet families for upcoming season

Aug 17, 2021 | 2:47 PM

The Vernon Vipers are looking for a few more families to host players as billet families for the 2021-22 BCHL season.

With pre-season action beginning on September 21, Todd Miller, Executive Vice-President for the Vipers, told Vernon Matters, the timing is right to call for more families to house players.

“I think typically two months out from the regular season is when we would put the push on billets for the coming year,” said Miller. “With the later start, we’re not starting until basically the start of October this year, so our timing is right on that.”

Miller adds the organization does have a good base group of billet families, but there is always a need for more host families.

“Every year we try to add a few billets as we usually lose a few, whether it’s through relocation or other reasons. It was definitely a tough year last year with what was asked, but we have a really really good group. We’re just sort of looking to add to that at this point.”

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Miller went on to say the billets will be compensated with some funds and grocery gift cards each month, as well as season tickets.

He adds the host families play a crucial role in getting a team on the ice.

“The billets are a huge part of what we do here and a huge part of the success we do have. We can’t do it without that group or without those families. Anytime that a group is willing to open up their homes to strangers when they start, you can’t say enough about it, I’ll tell you that. Lifelong friendships get formed with the billet families and there’s guys that come back year after year to see their billet families.”

Miller also said families that host players will be covered through extensive insurance from Hockey Canada.

He hopes families that can provide a sound home to support the players’ growth both on and off the ice.

“We want them to leave here having a good solid footing and enjoying their experience in Vernon. So really, at the end of the day, we’re looking for good solid people who want to have an opportunity to grow a relationship with a Vipers player and have them be part of essentially your family for the season and, who knows, maybe for many many years to come.”

People that want to sign up to be a billet family can do so by calling the Vernon Vipers office at 250-545-6022 or by emailing billetcoordinator@vrenonvipers.com.