A new plea for financial and volunteer support has been issued by the Kamloops Broncos.

In an open letter, the junior football team is asking for $200,000 in financial support – as well as 50 volunteers – to step forward by December 1, so that they can remain competitive both financially and athletically.

Otherwise, according to the letter put out by the Broncos’ board, a “full restructure of the program may be at stake.”

Broncos Head Coach Braden VanKoughnett won’t go as far as to say this could mean the end of the Broncos, but does concede their situation is urgent.

“The team is in a spot where we need some equipment, some better helmets,” VanKoughnett said on The NL Noon Report. “We need all new uniforms and those don’t exactly come for free. That is kind of the tough spot we are in in terms of going ahead next year.”

One of the Broncos @KamBroncos needs going into next season I’m told is new helmets. They run about $600CDN at best. 50 x 600 – $30K. Plus new sets of uniforms. Current ones are from 2016.
📸 Jim Motokado pic.twitter.com/nQixEF57vw

— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) October 30, 2023

The Broncos finished their 2023 season with a 2-and-8 record, missing out on the BC Football Conference playoffs. VanKoughnett says even though their record might not have shown it this year, the team is making strides.

“Unfortunately, just with the nature of the sport of football, and how things work with the game, it is one that needs a lot of support to compete at the level we need in the BCFC and in the CJFL,” he said.

“Obviously, we’re in a situation financially where we’re probably in a tough spot going ahead with a lot of things adding up last minute on us here.”

Founded in 2007, the Broncos are the second generation of the former Kamloops Cowboys who also faced similar financial problems.

People wanting to support the Broncos are being told to send an email here.

– With files from Paul James