Chow Cup Returns to Kamloops: Titans and Blue Wave Renew Rivalry

Image Credit: Melisa Dyck

One of Kamloops’ most storied football rivalries is back in the spotlight this weekend as the South Kamloops Titans and Westsyde Blue Wave clash in the second annual Chow Cup on Saturday, October 11th at Westsyde Secondary. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM, and admission is free.

Once known as The Wendy’s Cup, the matchup was a crown jewel of the Kamloops high school football scene from the 1980s through the early 2000s. After nearly two decades away, the championship returned in 2024 under a new name, the Chow Cup, in honour of Darryl Chow, a longtime local coach and builder who helped shape the sport across multiple programs in the city.

The return of the Cup has reignited one of Kamloops’ oldest rivalries. Over the past decade, South Kam has had the upper hand, winning four of the last six meetings against Westsyde. When Westsyde was unable to field a Senior Varsity team between 2019 and 2023, the matchup was put on hold, but it roared back to life last fall with South Kam capturing the inaugural Chow Cup in a 34–13 victory.

The Titans boast a veteran, Grade 12 heavy roster that has powered them through recent seasons, but declining underclass enrolment has forced the program to merge with Valleyview just to field a Junior Varsity team. That left questions about the team’s long-term future.

On the other side of the field, Westsyde is surging. The Blue Wave program has undergone a complete renaissance, with growing numbers and strong performances at the JV level translating into new energy at the senior ranks. A series of convincing preseason wins has Westsyde confident they can turn the tide in this year’s showdown.

Fans can expect a hard fought game when the teams kick off Saturday afternoon at Westsyde Secondary. Whether South Kam can defend the Cup or Westsyde can bring it home for the first time, one thing’s certain, the Chow Cup has once again become a highlight of the Kamloops sports calendar.