Change in philosophy for Kamloops United at B.C. Premier League level

There will be more roster spots and time on the pitch for younger United players, such as the five under-18s who have been in the matchday squad this season.

“This is what proper clubs do,” said Sarll, a former English Football League manager. “They have an academy underneath a first team and that academy works to supply the first team with players. Where possible, we want that lovely player development pathway to start in our community and end in our BCPL first team.”

United wants to produce players that move on to play in the post-secondary ranks, professionally overseas and for the national team.

Pitting players who have yet to graduate from high school against older, better competition in the BCPL is part of the strategy.

“The greater stimulus against the better players not only develops them, but even things like the evidence they can gain from playing in those games, like footage,” Sarll said. “All of a sudden, that footage has unbelievable credibility because it’s playing in the second tier of the Canadian football eco-system.”

Ryder Emslie, 18, is part of the United youth movement.

He expects to graduate from South Kamloops secondary this spring and join the TRU WolfPack men’s soccer team this fall, his experience in the BCPL easing the transition to the post-secondary ranks.

“It’s been good,” Emslie said. “It was an adjustment to get used to at first. All the guys were some of the best players I’ve seen, but I’ve been learning from them. Being around Darren has been helpful in progressing. I think already it’s helped massively.”

United’s roster is bolstered by veteran players such Elijah Dos Santos, a TRU WolfPack defender who understands the philosophy change might make it more difficult to win games.

“Obviously, you want to win, right?” said Dos Santos, who also coaches an under-15 United girls’ team. “But, at the same time, you also have to realize that it’s more than just us. Especially for the older guys. It’s not about us. It’s about them. It’s about developing these younger players and they’re the future.”

Langley United blanked Kamloops 5-0 last Saturday. The River City club opened the campaign with a 5-2 loss to hometown Vancouver Whitecaps on April 4.

“That’s really not important,” Sarll said. “I come from a world of if you lose six games in a row, you get sacked. Here, we’re more interested in player development, player opportunities and making a greater impact on young peoples’ lives.”

Kamloops (0-2) is scheduled to play Nanaimo United (0-2-1) on Saturday (April 18) on Vancouver Island.

Dos Santos – whose father, Lyle, is the KUFC general manager – rattled off a list of the rookies pushing their way into the lineup this season.

“They’re the future of Kamloops,” he said. “We played two games. From the first to the second, the difference has been drastic. The results will be tough… but I’m telling you, as the season goes on, it’ll only get better and better and better.”

Dos Santos said he wants to see more Kamloopsians become high-profile players, using the KUFC club as a launching pad.

“In the past, we’ve had lots of kids and guys like myself go to U Sports and university, but we’re not seeing enough kids go overseas where the motherland is with football,” Dos Santos said, noting he enjoyed his soccer experience last summer in Denmark. “Whether that’s Europe or other places, we need to see kids make that jump.”

Sarll wants to see that jump come after players marinate in the United ranks.

“We’ve got boys here that have joined here at nine and they’re now playing for their senior team at that club,” he said. “That’s an unbelievable story. What an incredible journey for those boys.”

Kamloops was 3-4-5 in 2022, 4-4-6 in 2023, 4-1-7 in 2024 and 7-7-2 in 2025.

Sarll took over head coaching duties this season from John Antulov, who moved into the club’s head of emerging talent position.

by Marty Hastings

Change in philosophy for Kamloops United at B.C. Premier League level

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