Jamie Cartmell, Director of Communications
O: (604) 930-5469, C: (778) 558-0761 or jcartmell@bclions.com

British Columbia Lions Football Operations 10605 – 135th Street, Surrey BC, V3T 4C8  Fax: (604) 583-7787

GAME NIGHT COMMUNICATIONS STAFF CONTACT NUMBERS  Media Box: (604) 661-3699, (778) 558-0761, (604) 506-0105

CREDENTIAL REQUESTS

For all media credential requests, contact:

Jacqueline Blackwell, Communications Coordinator
British Columbia Lions Football Club, 10605 – 135th Street, Surrey BC, V3T 4C8; Office: 604.930.5463; Cell: 604.506.0105 or e-mail:  jblackwell@bclions.com

Accreditation for Lions games will be issued to all major local media outlets prior to the start of the season. Media who have not received season passes can apply on a game-to-game basis by contacting the communications staff at least 48 hours prior to game day. Requests must be submitted on appropriate letterhead and signed by the appropriate party. All credentials are issued to specific individuals and are not transferable. Credentials are to be used for the purpose for which they are issued, with no exceptions. Failure to comply with this policy will result in ejection from BC Place and a ban on future access to Lions home games.

PICK-UP - All single game media credentials can be picked up at the coaches’ media conference on the day before each home game. The media conference is held in the media lounge (next to media entrance on the northwest side of the stadium) following ‘day-before’ practice. Passes can also be picked up on game day at the media entrance.

MEDIA BOX

LOCATION - The football media box is located at the north end of the level 3 concourse of BC Place. Access to the media box is by elevator from the ground level off Expo Blvd (northwest corner of BC Place). The upper level of the media box is reserved for TV, radio, and game day announcers, coaches from both clubs, as well as Lions and CFL officials. The lower level of the box is reserved for print media, statistics crew, and special guests. Washrooms are also located on the lower level of the media box.

GAME NOTES - Game notes, rosters, media guides, weekly statistics, and game day programs will be available inside the entrance to the media box.

STATISTICS - Individual and team statistics will be updated at halftime and post-game. Updated play-by-play reports will be provided after each quarter. Half-time statistics are distributed early in the third quarter, while final statistics are distributed approximately 15-20 minutes following a game. Final statistical packages will also be provided in the media box following each game.

SERVICES - There is a media work area on the lower level on the left side of the press box, with phone lines available for filing stories. There are a limited number of outside phone lines for use during a game. If you require a line for a specific reason, please contact the communications department at (604) 930-5469 at least two days prior to the game.

‘DAY BEFORE’ MEDIA CONFERENCES

The Lions will practice at BC Place the day before each home game. Practices are usually held in the late morning but are subject to change.  Please refer to www.bclions.com or call 604-930-5469 for updated practice times. Following practice, the club’s head coach will conduct media interviews in the media lounge, located on the ground level of the stadium beside the media entrance. Players are available for interviews on the field following practice. Game notes, statistics packages and other material will be supplied at this time. Visiting teams may also practice in the stadium one day prior to the game; however schedules vary from team to team.

GAME-DAY ACCESS

Pre-Game: No on-field access will be granted to any member of the media with the exception of the host broadcaster(s), which may include designated US/International affiliates. There will be no locker room access or media availability on game day with the exception of post-game availability.

In-Game: Media granted field access shall remain outside the player’s box. Any member of the media found inside this area will be removed and their credentials may be revoked at the discretion of the club’s communications director.

POST-GAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Approximately 15 minutes after each Lions home game has concluded, the team’s head coach will be available to the media outside the dressing room. The BC Lions dressing room is located on the north side of the tunnel, while the visiting team's dressing room is located directly opposite on the south side of the tunnel. To access the locker room from the media box, take the elevator to the ground level and walk along the ground level corridor to the west end of the building.

BC Lions communications staff will make three key players available for two questions each outside the locker room immediately following each home game. No other interviews will be permitted until after the club’s head coach addresses the team. After this time, the locker room will be made available to accredited media members only. The training room is closed to all media.

Days Off – The club will, at its discretion, designate days off for players and coaches during the season. There is no media availability on these days and the club’s practice facility shall be considered closed to all members of the media. In rare instances where scheduling challenges exist for members of the media, and at the discretion of the communications director, requests for individual players may be accepted.

GAME DAY PHOTOGRAPHERS

The CFL and the BC Lions employ a strict sideline control policy to keep these areas free from congestion. Sideline photography is restricted to working media on specific assignment for a recognized sports publication or news service. Freelance photographers will not be accredited without first providing the BC Lions Football Club with proof of their work.

Only broadcast personnel and authorized game staff with the appropriate credentials will have access to the sidelines without a camera. All sideline photographers are reminded to stay behind the designated restraining lines that surround the perimeter of the playing field and to remain out of the team bench areas. For admission to the sidelines, media accreditation must be displayed at all times.

MEDIA POLICY - DURING PRACTICE WEEK

Practice Facility
The BC Lions practice daily at their training facility in Surrey (10605 - 135th Street). To get there via SkyTrain, exit at the Gateway station and walk one block north and then two blocks east. The facility is located about a half-hour drive from downtown Vancouver. The BC Lions communications department will update a weekly practice schedule each Monday during the season.

All BC Lions practices are open to the media and the public, unless specifically stated otherwise by the club. A member of the Lions communications staff will attend each practice and assist the media with any questions they may have. The weekly practice schedule is typically released on Monday each week and is available online at bclions.com.

A media workroom is provided for reporters on the second floor of the practice facility. Members of the media are asked to remain in this room while working. Full cooperation with this policy is appreciated.

Media Access

BC Lions head coach will be available to the media at the conclusion of each practice. Any media requesting to interview the club’s head coach outside of the designated availability must request permission to do so from the director of communications at least one day in advance. Any requests to interview assistant coaches or football operations staff must also be approved by the director of communications at least one day in advance.

Players will be available for on-field interviews at the conclusion of each practice as well as inside the Lions dressing room.  Contact with players and coaches during practice is prohibited. Media are also prohibited from the Lions training room at all times. ENG cameras are permitted to film during designated periods outlined by the director of communications. This period consists of fundamental and individual drills only. The filming of all other team drills is prohibited.

Camera personnel must remain on the sidelines unless given permission by the director of communications. The club will, at its option, prohibit any filming during practice without prior notification. It is suggested that camera operators be on site at least 15 minutes ahead of designated practice times to allow for any change in schedule.

Interview requests

All interview requests for players, coaching staff and team management must be approved in advance by the club’s director of communications.

>> Please click here for a printable, detailed version of the BC Lions practice week media policy