Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners lost in the final of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national men’s soccer championships, but for Billy Bagiopoulos, it was a bittersweet end to a fantastic comeback season.
“I played my rookie year at VIU in 2016 and then took two years off when I returned to Greece to serve in the army,” said Bagiopoulos. “While I was overseas, I got texts from friends who were joining the Mariners this year, and they encouraged me to join as well. It wasn’t in my plans to play soccer again, but my friends asked me, so I joined the team when I got back, and we’ve had a great season.”
Bagiopoulos moved to Powell River in 2013 and spent his grade 10 and 11 years at Brooks Secondary School before moving to Vancouver Island to pursue higher level soccer.
“My mom grew up in Powell River and Vancouver, so that’s part of the reason we came,” said Bagiopoulos. “Powell River is a beautiful place and everyone is so welcoming. I really enjoyed my time there.”
Bagiopoulos has played soccer since he was two years old. “When I was growing up, I wanted to be involved in soccer, but as I matured, I started thinking that maybe soccer wouldn’t provide everything I needed from life,” he said. “I spent my first two post-secondary years in general studies, and now I am working on a degree in sport management. I have a different perspective on sport now, and I enjoy it more, because I understand better what people get out of sports.”
The VIU men’s soccer team had a good season, winning the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) league, which secured its berth in the CCAA nationals in Oshawa, Ontario, from November 6 to 9.
“We only played three games, but they were the toughest three games we’ve played all year,” said Bagiopoulos. “We made it to the finals, where we lost 3-2 to the Durham Lords for the silver. It was a good experience; everyone on the team showed up and stepped up to the challenge, and that experience will set us up well for next year.”
A left winger, Bagiopoulos was also named to the honorary PACWEST all-star team.
“I had seven goals in 10 games this season,” said Bagiopoulos. “The thing I love most about playing soccer, the thing I get the most satisfaction out of, is scoring goals. If I have a really good game but I don’t score a goal, I feel like I didn’t play well.”
Bagiopoulos plans to continue to play with the Mariners for the remainder of his time at university before pursuing a career in sport management.
“I want to be involved in soccer after graduation, maybe working with a team or coaching,” he said. “And I’m going to enjoy playing at this level for the next few years, but in some ways, now I’m just playing for me and for fun. And to win something, because winning is fun.”
