by Natalie Ramsay | Nov 18, 2024 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers women’s rugby team returned to their winning ways on Saturday with an impressive 66-5 victory against SFU at Cumberland Village Park. Following a tough loss to Nanaimo the previous weekend, the team was determined to prove themselves and rebounded in a commanding fashion. Sophia Julien led the charge with a hattrick of tries, with Sienna Stigant adding two tries of her own. Amelia Gallow, Shayla Stigant, Lily Hart, Chloe Speed, and Daris Forberg each contributed a try with Stigant successfully converting 3 tries to round out the dominant offensive display. From the opening whistle, the Kickers dominated possession, showcasing excellent ball movement and cohesive teamwork. Their strategic play kept the SFU defense on the back foot, allowing the Kickers to capitalize on opportunities and maintain pressure throughout the match. “It was a fantastic effort by the team today,” said Captain Dara DeMarce. “We focused on sticking to our game plan, and the results speak for themselves. It’s great to bounce back after last week’s loss.” Meanwhile, the men’s team faced a challenging outing on the road against Nanaimo, falling 64-0. Nanaimo’s quick play and relentless offense proved too much for the Kickers, who struggled to find their footing. Despite the tough loss, the team remains determined to regroup and learn from the experience as they prepare for their next match. “The scoreline doesn’t reflect the effort our guys put in,” said Coach Tim Quek. “Nanaimo played an excellent game, but we’ll use this as motivation to come back stronger.” The Kickers are gearing up for the final matches of this half of the season. The...
by Natalie Ramsay | Nov 14, 2024 | Club Events
The Comox Valley Kickers RFC was recently featured in Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life eNewsletter! Please find below the article: These Partners for Life champions are not only winning gold on the field but are also heroes in blood donation. The Comox Valley Kickers have been playing competitive rugby on Vancouver Island since 1889. Earlier this summer, both the men’s and women’s teams won their respective divisions at the provincial championships. Talk about a team with a legacy and history! Their competitors are certainly aware of the Kickers’ incredible strength and tactical skills on the field, with many losing to them on route to the championship. What they might not know is that beneath those powerful, athletic exteriors beat the hearts of lifesaving heroes. The Comox Valley Kickers became a Partners for Life team back in June 2023. This group of athletes have faithfully donated together at our Courtenay blood donation events ever since, bringing joy, jerseys, and a wonderful vibe with them. Already this year, they have exceeded their pledge goal and have another big group donation booked for November. Partners for Life team champion, Derek, has donated for 13 years. He organized the Canucks Rugby Football Club team in Calgary before moving to Vancouver Island. As a teenager, Derek recalls seeing the t-shirt slogan “Give Blood, Play Rugby” around rugby pitches and was intrigued by its double meaning. Some members of the women’s rugby team also shared their reasons why they were inspired to donate. A member of the team had cancer a few years ago and survived. His need for blood was a strong influence...
by Natalie Ramsay | Nov 11, 2024 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers women’s rugby team traveled to Nanaimo for a gritty rematch against the Hornets, with memories of last year’s semi-final matchup fresh in both teams’ minds. On a rainy field that added another level of challenge to an already intense game, the Kickers fell short in a close 17-14 contest. Throughout the game, the Comox Valley Kickers struggled to gain offensive momentum, finding themselves on defense for the majority of the match. The Nanaimo Hornets’ relentless pressure kept the Kickers pinned deep in their own half, forcing them to fend off continuous attacks rather than advancing upfield. Each time the Kickers gained possession, the slippery conditions and the Hornets’ quick defense hindered their efforts to capitalize on offensive drives. While the Kickers displayed resilience and discipline in their defensive formation, the energy spent in repeated defensive stands left them with limited opportunities. Cali McKay broke through the Hornets’ defenses twice, scoring two hard-fought tries with Lauren Sargent successfully converting both of them, keeping the Kickers within striking distance of the Hornets throughout the match. “We knew it was going to be a hard battle,” said Coach Pete Morton. “It’s tough to build momentum when you’re playing defense for most of the game, but our players never gave up. Although we didn’t get the result we wanted, the determination out there was undeniable. We will regroup and look forward to meeting them again.” Both teams are back in action this upcoming Saturday, November 16. The Comox Valley Kickers women’s team will return to their home field at Cumberland Village Park to host SFU while the Kickers’ men’s...
by Natalie Ramsay | Nov 5, 2024 | Club Events
Cheer on Canada’s Men’s and Women’s Sevens Teams as they take on the globe’s top sevens nations at VAN SVNS in Vancouver, BC on February 21-23, 2025 at BC Place. Don’t miss out on the biggest rugby event of the year! VAN SVNS is part of the HSBC SVNS Series and will showcase the 12 best men’s and women’s teams. It’s the rugby you love, with so much more. Purchase your tickets to enjoy the games with all your friends and family using this exclusive offer to support our rugby club! 15% of all ticket sales will go back to our club to directly benefit our members and teams! Buy your tickets here and click “invite” to automatically invite the rest of your group so they can secure their tickets! Buy tickets to support our club here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Comoxvalley25 For any ticketing questions, please contact cvkickers.socials@gmail.com or tickets@rugby.ca. READY. SET....
by Natalie Ramsay | Nov 3, 2024 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers rugby teams took to the field this past weekend in two challenging matchups. The men’s team hosted Westshore RFC at Cumberland Village Park in the first leg of the two-game series for Konny’s Axes Memorial Shield, while the women’s team traveled to Abbotsford for their first away game of the season. Honoring Konrad Nikkel with Memorial Shield Match The men’s game was especially poignant, as it marked the start of the two-game aggregate for Konny’s Axes Memorial Shield. This shield honors the legacy of Konrad Nikkel, a dedicated player for both the Comox Valley Kickers RFC and Westshore RFC. While the Kickers played with determination, they ultimately fell to Westshore, with a final score of 83-22. Despite the tough loss, the Kickers made some memorable plays. Tries came from Kyle Christensen, Stephen Hextall, and Raffael Tonazzi, while Kyle Hall contributed with one penalty kick and two successful conversions. The team showed resilience, but Westshore’s relentless offense proved challenging. With one more game in the series, the Kickers are keen to regroup and return stronger for the second match scheduled for March 29. “Westshore’s a tough opponent and we’ve got areas to tighten up, but I’m confident we will come back stronger the next time we play each other,” said Coach Tim Quek. Women’s Team Shines on the Road Against Abbotsford Meanwhile, the Comox Valley Kickers women’s team hit the road for their first away game of the season, traveling to face Abbotsford RFC. It was a long journey, but their hard work paid off with an impressive 46-15 victory. The women’s team executed their game...
