Ballenas Whaler History
High school football in Parksville was the dream of Joe, a local businessman, and his son Chris, two men who loved football. While Chris was going to high school at Ballenas, he traveled to Nanaimo to practise and play for the Redmen. Joe and Chris always thought that Parksville kids shouldn’t have to go to Nanaimo to play football at a higher level, so they decided to do something about it. They worked their way up through the football ranks, beginning at the junior bantam level, coaching the Parksville Packers with long-time Head Coach Mike Watson. Next, in 1998, they formed the Parksville Posse; in 1999 the Posse were Provincial Champions. The graduating Posse players, discouraged that their football days in Parksville were coming to an end, came to Joe & Chris with the question, “Will you coach us at the next level?” Joe Martino listened, and after getting all the necessary support of the players, he approached Ballenas High School with the idea of ‘Football in a Box’ - If the school would provide the players, the football program would supply the coaches, uniforms, and do all the necessary fundraising for the team. Ballenas accepted, and in 2000 Whaler Football was born. In 2001 the Ballenas Whalers were runners-up for a Provincial title, and in 2002 under Head Coach Sean Hines, they were Provincial Champions!
We wouldn’t be here without you!