Kal Tire and the Kalamalka Bowl Society are pleased to announce the Vernon tire company has signed an agreement to be the First Down (Title) Sponsor for the 2022 Kalamalka Bowl between the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and the University of Calgary Dinos football teams.
Founded in 1953 and named after Kalamalka Lake, Kal Tire has grown into an international business, with more than 6,500 employees working in 19 countries.
Canada鈥檚 largest independent tire dealer and one of North America鈥檚 largest commercial tire dealers, Kal Tire has always been active in supporting the Vernon community.
鈥淜al Tire, the Kalamalka Bowl, it鈥檚 a great fit for us,鈥� said company spokesperson Ryan Paulson. 鈥淪upporting community sport is part of our DNA so it really just lined up nicely with our core values, our heritage here in Vernon and we鈥檙e just excited for a really good game.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to welcome Kal Tire to the Kalamalka Bowl,鈥� added Sean Smith, society president. 鈥淭he society and bowl game was created to promote amateur football in our country and to develop the highest possible standard of sportsmanship and citizenship.
鈥淭hese young athletes are amazing individuals who pursue the toughest double major of all; full-time scholar and full-time athlete.鈥�
Among the young athletes taking part in the game will be Smith鈥檚 son, former Vernon Panthers B.C. championship quarterback, and defensive back Zack Smith, now one of a handful of ex-Panthers suiting up for the Dinos. He can鈥檛 wait to return to the scene of past glories and play another game at Greater Vernon Athletic Park.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to get another opportunity to play a game on my home turf back in Vernon against UBC,鈥� said Smith, 19, a third-year receiver for Calgary. 鈥淚鈥檓 just thankful to Kal Tire and the community for making this happen.鈥�
The neutral-site Bowl game will be part of a two-day event promoting football in the area, with a youth skills camp taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 4-6 p.m., at Greater Vernon Athletic Park (GVAP). This is open to all levels and all positions for minor football players under the age of 14.
The camp includes a ticket to the Kalamalka Bowl game. Register now at .
A free family event called Huddle in the Park will take place Tuesday, Aug. 23. Fans can meet players from both teams starting at 6 p.m. at POLSON Park. Vernon-based band Cod Gone Wild will provide live music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Silver Star Rotary will operate a concession onsite for the evening.
The Kalamalka Bowl football game will be played Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., at GVAP. Tickets to the game can be purchased through the society鈥檚 website at kalbowl.com.
This story was updated at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, to correct the age for the youth skills camp
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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