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...
by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 30, 2024 | Club Events
For the second consecutive year, the Comox Valley Kickers RFC has proudly secured Comox Valley Record’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Award for Local Sports Team. This community accolade celebrates the Kickers’ dedication to athletic excellence and unwavering community involvement. The Kickers’ recent successes on the field and their deep-rooted community engagement reflect a banner year for the club. Both the women’s and men’s teams had a historic year last season winning both the Women’s Division 2 and Men’s Division 3 provincial titles. Off the field, the Kickers have made it a priority to foster connections within the Comox Valley. Their involvement extends beyond rugby, with members volunteering at local events, raising funds for various causes, and supporting initiatives such as blood donation drives. Receiving the Comox Valley Record’s Reader’s Choice Award for the second year is a testament to the impact the Kickers have had on the community. The award highlights the club’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for players, developing rugby talent, and championing the values of teamwork, inclusivity, and community spirit. The Comox Valley Kickers RFC is immensely grateful for the continued support from fans, sponsors, and volunteers. Their dedication propels the club forward and fosters a thriving rugby community in the Comox...
by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 28, 2024 | Men's News
November 2, 2024 marks the first-ever ‘Konny’s Axes’ Memorial Shield Challenge between Westshore RFC (formerly Velox Valhallians RFC) and the Comox Valley Kickers RFC. This will be a two-game aggregate between these two clubs. Nov. 2, 2024 – Comox v Westshore @ 12:45pm at Cumberland Park Mar. 29, 2025 - Westshore v Comox @ 12:45pm at Juan de Fuca Velodrome Konrad Nikkel started his rugby playing career with the Comox Valley Kickers RFC in the 1990’s until the early 2000’s. Konrad then headed south in 2002 to link up with the Velox Valhallians 1st Division team, now Westshore RFC. Konrad played in many Vancouver Island Finals for both the Kickers and Westshore (Velox) and also made several appearances in the BC Provincial Championship Games. Konrad loved playing for both of these clubs, sometimes even playing 3 games in one weekend as he could never get enough rugby. “He would play for Velox 1st division on a Saturday, bench, and play for the premier team right after. Then he’d wake up on a Sunday and drive up to Comox with a couple of Velox players in tow to help with numbers at a 3rd division Kickers game.” Konrad was instrumental in Westshore’s return to the premier league in 2004, representing the club across all levels in both the 9 and 10 jerseys. A true club rugby man, he contributed in many ways— as both a 7’s and 15’s player, as a coach to the junior team, and socially, proudly joining the legendary “three buckle” squads at the notorious Williams Lake Stampede tournament. Westshore RFC and the Comox Valley Kickers RFC...
