by Natalie Ramsay | Dec 11, 2024 | Club Events
L-R: Comox Valley Kickers RFC Vice President Jessica Leck, Chantelle Lambert, Comox Valley Kickers RFC Director of Sponsorships Jess Nikkel We are thrilled to highlight an incredible collaboration between the Comox Valley Kickers and our gold sponsor, The Buddery House. Through this partnership, we are able to provide $1,000 to Chantelle Lambert, an inspiring Indigenous rugby player, to support her upcoming Thunder Rugby tour to New Zealand in August 2025. Chantelle’s dedication to rugby and her passion for representing her culture on and off the field make her a role model in the sport and within her community. This contribution recognizes the importance of supporting Indigenous youth in rugby—a step toward fostering inclusion and providing opportunities for players to pursue their athletic dreams. This is just the beginning. The Comox Valley Kickers are hopeful to be able to offer more financial and mentorship opportunities through future collaborations with sponsors and the wider community to ensure rugby remains accessible and empowering for all players—especially those from Indigenous and underrepresented backgrounds. We extend our deepest gratitude to The Buddery House for sharing this vision and helping make it a reality. Together, we’re not just supporting the sport of rugby; we’re investing in a brighter rugby future. Let’s cheer Chantelle on as she takes on this exciting journey to New Zealand, representing the Comox Valley and inspiring so many young players to follow in her footsteps! ...
by Natalie Ramsay | Dec 5, 2024 | Club Events
The Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Club made their festive debut in the Downtown Courtenay Holiday Parade, adding a touch of sport and cheer to the seasonal celebration. The parade began at Harmston Avenue and traveled down the vibrant 5th Street, finishing at Cliffe Avenue. Members from both the men’s and women’s rugby teams, along with their families, took part in the parade, adding to the fun festivities. A special thanks goes to Billy from Pilon Tools, who generously provided the decorated truck and trailer that served as the Kickers’ parade float. Not only did Billy contribute the beautiful setup, but he also volunteered as the driver, ensuring that the float made its way smoothly through the festive streets. The float itself was a creative and charming display – a mini rugby field complete with posts, capturing the fun and spirit of the sport. Parade-goers were delighted as players passed rugby balls to spectators along the route, while Kickers members handed out brochures and candy canes, spreading holiday cheer to all. It was a festive good time for everyone, as the Kickers were able to share their love for rugby while connecting with the community and spreading the joy of the holiday season. The event was a wonderful reminder of the Comox Valley Kickers’ commitment to both sport and community, making this inaugural parade participation one to remember. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and best wishes for the new...
by Natalie Ramsay | Dec 1, 2024 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers men’s rugby team wrapped up the first half of their season with a hard-fought match against the Castaway Wanderers (“CW”) at Cumberland Village Park this past weekend. Despite battling fiercely for 70 minutes, the game ultimately slipped away in the final stages, with CW securing a 22-10 victory. The Kickers showed grit throughout the match, keeping the score close and making CW work for every point. Nick Gilmour and Trevor McGuire crossed the try line for the Kickers. The game was marked by strong defensive stands and hard running from both sides, with supporters treated to a physical and competitive display of rugby. “We left everything on the field today,” said Kickers Captain Brandon Hudson. “It was a hard-fought match, and we stayed in it until the last few minutes. Credit to CW for capitalizing late, but I’m proud of the effort our team showed. We’ll use this break to recharge and come back stronger in January.” As the final whistle blew, the Kickers reflected on a challenging but promising first half of the season. All teams Both will now head into a well-earned winter break, with matches set to resume on January 25. The Kickers will use this time to regroup, train, and focus on refining their game for the second half of the season. For up-to-date information on schedules, results, and upcoming events, be sure to visit the Comox Valley Kickers’ website at www.comoxvalleyrugby.ca or follow them on Facebook at Comox Valley Kickers Rugby...
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...
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...
