Sean Whyte is exactly where he wants to be.

The White Rock native and BC Lions kicker, who just signed a one-year contract extension with the province's Canadian Football League team, is happy to stay in the place where he grew up — and where he first started to play in the CFL.

"It's a big deal for my family that I stay here ... again my dream is to win a cup for my home team," Whyte said at a media availability Wednesday (Jan. 8), which he attended with his wife and three-month-old daughter.

"I feel good — just as a golfer, you get better and better with age. I think what I lack now is power," he added, but noted he's about to start training with his former BC Lions strength coach Chris Boyko. "I actually start on Monday with him. ... I'm going to be pretty sore for the next few week, but my goal is to get the power back."

The Semiahmoo grad, who was born and raised in White Rock and South Surrey, moved away to play for the CFL in Montreal and Edmonton before returning to his home province in 2022, signing a two-year contract extension with the Lions that December. He enjoyed an amazing season in 2023, connecting on 50 of 53 field goal attempts – a league-leading rate of 94.3 per cent – the exact same as the 2024 season.

Now 39, the CFL kicker also broke the Lions' franchise record for most consecutive successful field goals, previously held by Paul McCallum — and tie Lui Passaglia's franchise single-game record (seven field goals vs/ Saskatchewan).

Because of his phenomenal play, he earned the West Division nomination for outstanding special teams player last year and was named a CFL and West Division all-star for a second straight season.

BC Lions vice-president of operations Neil NcEvoy said Whyte is an outstanding individual as well as a high-percentage kicker.

"It's a no-brainer to keep a guy like that around," he said Wednesday, noting the BC Lions have a history of great, B.C. kickers.

"Big Lou (Passaglia) and Paul (McCallum) and now Sean Whyte ... they're local guys that just continue to kick high, and if you look at the numbers, Sean is up there with the best of the best, which is good for us and good for him."

McEvoy noted both Whyte and McCallum played soccer and rugby, and credited local sports programs.

"Sean went to Semiahmoo, as did I, and played (with) White Rock minor football. ... Semiahmoo has an amazing rugby program," he said. "(Whyte is) more than just a kicker, he is certainly someone we depend on."

Whyte said he's evolved through his career, from a young player coming into the league to where he is today.

"Through time, I've learned to take care of my body — I'm stretching more. Mentally I'm sharper. I know what to expect. And I've learned a lot of lessons — I feel like just the experience I've had has helped me a lot learned from my mistakes," Whyte said. 

He plans to keep playing as long as he's able, noting he used to play with Lions head coach Buck Pierce and that special teams co-ordinator Cory McDiarmid was his coach in Edmonton.

"I'm so competitive, whether it's golf or darts ... people say I have a problem," he quipped. "This is my dream! In my mind I'm still 25 years old and that fire is still there to compete. Every time we're about to run onto the field (at BC Place), I just look around and I get chills. (Being) at home in front of my family and friends is really, really cool."

He still has a couple goals he'd like to reach — like winning a Grey Cup with the BC Lions. 

And also, playing a perfect season.

"The two (kicks) I missed last year were about 50 and 49 yards, and it was all because I doubted my strength. ... If anyone's a golfer, when you swing harder, the ball goes everywhere," he noted.

"So that's where I need to improve — the strength, and that's my plan. You'll get the better me next year and hopefully, I'll have a perfect season."