Layne Hull is Kelowna bound this summer after deciding to join the Okanagan Sun of the British Columbia Football Conference.
Both the Sun and the Kamloops Broncos offered the former Yorkton Regional High School Raider Gridders linebacker spots. He chose the Okanagan because he feels it's a better program and has family in the Kelowna area.
"I think the Okanagan is the better of the two," said Hull. "They have a great program out there in KelownaMy auntie and uncle live in Kelowna. It will be so much cheaper for me to play in the Okanagan because I can live with them. It's also nice to know someone there and to have family to rely on."
Hull's former high school football coach, Roby Sharpe, feels he made the right decision.
"I think the Okanagan is the right spot for him," he said. "It's a great program and it will be a great opportunity for him to ease into the program. The coaches will develop him properly and not rush him in. I know he'll have a strong career with the Sun."
Hull had his sights set on the Canadian Junior Football League as soon as his high school career ended this past fall.
"I knew when I was playing for the Gridders that I wanted to go play junior ball," said Hull. "This is something I've thought about for a while. I love football and wanted to extend my career to junior ball."
Sun head coach Shane Beatty sees 'a lot of potential' in Hull to blossom into an impact player at the junior level.
"Hull is a player who came in and played bigger than what his size indicates he would be able to do," said Beatty. "He has a lot of potential to develop into a strong linebacker."
At the 3A high school level, Hull was a man of many hats, suiting up as a linebacker, slotback, fullback, and a kicker.
"He's a great player," said Sharpe. "He did everything for us. He played linebacker, slot, fullback, and he was our kicker. He was one of our go-to guys. He plays hard and is as tough as they come. I'm happy to see him go on to play in B.C."
The Sun has established a reputation as one of the top teams in the BCFC, having 25 consecutive winning seasons (1986-2006) and capturing 14 titles in their 32-year history.
