by Natalie Ramsay | Jun 1, 2023 | Club Events
The Comox Valley Kickers RFC celebrated the incredible 2022/2023 rugby season as they came together this past Saturday for the highly anticipated year-end awards banquet, hosted at the lively Beaufort Ave Pub. With over 60 attendees, the evening was a delightful blend of camaraderie, delicious food, heartfelt speeches, and memorable entertainment. The event kicked off with a splendid musical performance by the men’s team rookies, who captivated the audience with their rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from the Lion King. The enchanting melody set the perfect tone for an evening filled with celebration and appreciation. Amidst the cheerful ambiance, the main highlight of the night was the prestigious awards ceremony. The deserving athletes who had displayed outstanding performance and dedication throughout the season were honored with well-deserved accolades. Kickers Women’s Award Winners: MVP: Natalie NguyenBack of the Year: Tyra SchaadForward of the Year: Dara DeMarceRookie of the Year: Jess NikkelMost Improved: Kaitlyn HazelmanMost Tenacious: Audrey JonesMost Sportsmanlike: Lauren SargentCoach’s Award: Chloe Speed Kickers Men’s Award Winners: MVP: Brandon HudsonBack of the Year: Devon MooreForward of the Year: Derek McCubbinRookie of the Year: Nate BiceMost Improved: Raffael TonazziMost Tenacious: Joe HurstMost Sportsmanlike: Riley GaudetCoach’s Award: Justin Thomson A riveting performance of the haka was done by Tosh Wilmott and Jim Robertson honoring JB Nikkel for his outstanding contribution to the club. As the evening progressed, the air was filled with shared stories, laughter, and reminiscence of the unforgettable moments that made the season truly special. It was a fun evening had by all and we look forward to the 2023-2024 rugby...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 30, 2023 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers Men’s Rugby Team has made history by winning the provincial finals for the first time in the club’s history. The Kickers delivered a remarkable performance in a nail-biting match against Richmond RFC at South Surrey Athletic Park this past Saturday, winning 35-29. Tries were scored by Derek McCubbin, Will Perry, JB Nikkel, Nick Gilmour and Devon Moore with Kyle Hall adding 5 successful converts. From the start of the match, the Kickers took control and dominated the first half, leading 28-7 at halftime. They showcased exceptional teamwork and individual skill, scoring try after try, much to the delight of their many supporters on the sidelines. However, the second half of the match saw Richmond RFC come back fighting scoring 22 points, bringing the game within a try and conversion. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the clock ticked down, but the Kickers held on, defending fiercely and denying Richmond the chance of a comeback. When the final whistle blew, there was an eruption of cheers as the Kickers and their supporters celebrated their momentous victory. After the match, Kickers’ Coach Dan Mills commended his players for their hard work and dedication, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder of this group of guys. They’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s amazing to see their efforts pay off in such a big way.” The players themselves were overjoyed, with many expressing disbelief at the fact that they had made history. “I can’t believe it,” said Brandon Hudson, Kickers’ Captain. “To be the first team in our club’s history to win the provincial finals is...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 22, 2023 | Game Reports
On an overcast Saturday afternoon, the Comox Valley Kickers and the Chilliwack Crusaders faced off in an intense rugby match at Cumberland Village Park. Both teams came into the game with their season on the line, but it was the Kickers who ultimately prevailed, winning the game 29-15. Tries were scored by Will Perry (2), Derek McCubbin, Stephen Hextall, Justin Thomson with Kyle Hall and JB Nikkel adding one convert each. From the start of the match, it was clear that both teams were evenly matched. The Crusaders had a strong offensive line, while the Kickers relied on their tenacious defense to keep the Crusaders at bay. The game remained scoreless for the first 20 minutes as both teams fought for control. The first points of the game were scored by the Kickers, who managed to break through the Crusaders’ defense and score. It was a very back and forth game and it came down to who can make the most of their opportunities and capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. Midway through the game, the Crusaders’ Tighthead Prop received a red card for violent conduct and repeated infringements and was sent off the field, forcing Chilliwack to play a man down for the rest of the game. The Crusaders continued to fight, and the tension was palpable as the game remained close throughout. The game was a tough matchup for both teams, with several players on both sides sustaining minor injuries. Despite this, both teams showed incredible sportsmanship and determination throughout the game. The Kickers’ defense was particularly impressive, managing to hold the Crusaders to just three tries despite...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 17, 2023 | Women's News
After five years at the helm of the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s Rugby Team, Coach JP Lussier (“JP”) has announced that he will not be returning for the following season. The news has come as a shock to many of the players, who have grown to respect and admire JP for his dedication and hard work in building the team into a competitive force. Co-Captain Natalie Nguyen says, “JP has been an integral part of our success over the past five years. He’s helped us to develop our skills and our teamwork and has always been there to support us both on and off the field. We’re going to miss him, and we’re not sure what the future holds at this point in time.” Despite the uncertainty, the players are determined to continue building on the progress that has been made. “We’ve got a strong team, and we’re all committed to continuing to improve,” says Nguyen. “We are sad to see JP go, but we will work hard to find a new coach this offseason who can help us grow and achieve our goals.” JP himself has expressed mixed feelings about leaving the team. “It’s been an amazing five years with the team, and I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved together,” he says. “I will remain involved with the club as Treasurer of the Executive Committee, but I also feel that it’s time for me to move on from coaching to new challenges.” As the Kickers Women’s Rugby Team looks ahead to the future, there is no doubt that they will face some challenges. But the players are...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 16, 2023 | Game Reports
In a thrilling quarterfinal playoff match, the Comox Valley Kickers Men’s Rugby Team emerged victorious over Brit Lions RFC from Delta, BC with a final score of 80-24. Tries were scored by Brandon Hudson (3), Stephen Hextall (2), Will Perry (2), Nate Bice (2), JB Nikkel (2) and Devon Moore. Kyle Hall made 7 converts with Nikkel adding 3. The match was played at Cumberland Village Park in front of many fans, who were treated to an exciting display of skill, strategy, and determination from both teams. From the opening kickoff, the Kickers looked confident and assured. They immediately began to impose their will on the visitors, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their possession. The early lead seemed to galvanize the Kickers, and they continued to press forward with wave after wave of attack. The visitors simply had no answer to their relentless pressure, and it wasn’t long before the score began to climb. The scoreline was 54-12 at halftime. Despite falling behind, Brit Lions refused to give up, and continued to be aggressive in their set pieces. In the second half, the Kickers continued to build on their momentum, putting pressure on the Brit Lions and controlling the pace of play. Their defense was particularly impressive, as they repeatedly shut down Brit Lions’ attempts to mount a comeback. Time and time again, they held firm on their own goal line, denying their opponents any chance to score. With their forwards providing a steady stream of ball, the backs began to exploit gaps in the defense, creating several scoring opportunities; victory was assured. After the match, Comox Valley...
