by Natalie Ramsay | Jun 8, 2023 | Club Events
Last month the Comox Valley Kickers RFC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at the Cumberland Masonic Hall with over 30 members in attendance. The AGM commenced by acknowledging the achievements and milestones of the past year and included reports about the club’s operations and finances. Looking forward to the next season, there was open dialogue, collaborative decision-making and voting to set the path to come. A big portion of the evening was the nomination process for the new members of the Executive Committee. All club members had the opportunity to nominate individuals who they believed possessed the skills, dedication, and passion to guide the team forward. With gratitude, the club expressed their appreciation for the outgoing executive committee members as they welcome the 2023/2024 Comox Valley Kickers RFC Executive Committee: President: Aaron L’ArriveeVice-President: Jenn LundTreasurer: JP LussierSecretary: Jessica LeckDirector of Rugby Operations: Joe GoldesDirector of Socials & Fundraising: Lauren SargentDirector of Sponsorships: Aaron Kitto There were a lot of good ideas put forth during this meeting with renewed enthusiasm to collaborate with the newly elected Executive Committee to achieve the club’s aspirations for the coming year. The AGM reinforced the team’s sense of unity, purpose, and determination to excel. Everyone is excited for the next...
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...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 3, 2023 | Club Events
Both Comox Valley Kickers Rugby teams had a bye this past weekend, which only meant one thing: CLUB SOCIAL! Players and supporters all flocked the Cumberland Masonic Hall in their best Olympics-inspired outfits for Beer Olympics. Many disciplines and countries were represented in what was an evening filled with friendly competition consisting of Flip Cup, Beer Pong and Musical Chairs. There was also a powerful rendition of the Rugby Days of the Week. DJ services were provided courtesy of Ben Bekk and photography by Kaitlyn Card Photography, both active Comox Valley Kickers RFC players. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the evening a great...
by Natalie Ramsay | Mar 26, 2023 | Game Reports
Both Comox Valley Kickers Rugby teams were on the road to Nanaimo this past Saturday. The Comox Valley Kickers Men’s team won 64-25 against the Hornets. Stephen Hextall had a standout game scoring four tries, with Devon Moore notching two tries and Nate Bice, Kai Mills, Sebastian Lambert, and Raffael Tonazzi adding one a piece. Converts were made by Kyle Hall (5) and JB Nikkel (2). “The players embodied the ‘next man up’ mentality. We were missing some key players this game, but it didn’t show. Nanaimo was a strong side, but we were able to follow our game plan of making our tackles, quick rucks and making plays,” says Coach Dan Mills. “Next week is a bye for us, which will allow our players to rest up and prepare for playoffs which start the weekend after Easter.” Playing against the Nanaimo Hornets, on their celebration of 25 years of women’s rugby, the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s team lost 5-50. The lone try was scored by Daris Forberg. “It was a tough game. We couldn’t build any chemistry or momentum. We would work hard to advance the ball just to turn it over on the next play. Nanaimo capitalized on our errors to our detriment,” says Coach JP Lussier. “Division 2 is a developmental league and we played several versions of rugby throughout the season from 10- to 12- to 15-a-side rugby. We have a core of very talented and skilled players but need the consistency of numbers. I am hopeful that next season most of our players will return and we will be a more competitive side, building...
by Natalie Ramsay | Mar 19, 2023 | Game Reports
It was another doubleheader at Cumberland Village Park this past Saturday with both Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Teams hosting two teams from the mainland. The Comox Valley Kickers Men’s team faced off against Langley RFC and won 52-7. Tries were scored by Stephen Hextall, Ben Bekk, Raffael Tonazzi, Brandon Hudson, Justin Thomson, Derek McCubbin, Kai Mills and Jimmy Robertson with converts made by Nate Bice (3), JB Nikkel (2) and Kyle Hall. “Langley started off hot and scored on the opening kickoff. We were able to refocus and did not let them score again in the game. We played strong defense and made use of our opportunities to break free and go for some runs,” says Captain Brandon Hudson. “We have been improving every week. We are excited to face Nanaimo Hornets next week and finish the regular season on a high note.” The Comox Valley Kickers Women’s team hosted United and lost 15-32. Tries were scored by Sienna Stigant, Tyra Schaad and Lauren Sargent. “It was a vast improvement from last week’s game. We were able to play 15-a-side and looked more cohesive. United were strong in the sets but we held our own. We had a few unforced errors that United capitalized on but all in all, we were in it for the whole game,” says Coach JP Lussier. “With this loss, our record is 2-3 and we have a chance to go to .500 when we head to Nanaimo to play our last regular season game next week.” Next week both the men and women travel to face off against the Nanaimo Hornets at May Bennett...
by Natalie Ramsay | Mar 13, 2023 | Club Events
Comox Valley Kickers RFC (“Kickers”), a grassroots rugby club consisting of Senior Men and Women’s teams, unveiled their new jerseys this past weekend – their first in over 5 years. The new jerseys were custom designed through Lionheart Sports, a reputable multi-sport and lifestyle apparel brand based in Vancouver, BC and unite the club in black and maroon. The old jerseys are being sold with the proceeds going towards operating expenses with any additional leftover being used for tournament/practice jerseys. “It is great that both Kickers teams now have the same jerseys, in the same colors. It really showcases the camaraderie between the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the pride of being a Kicker. The club has a long history, but it was imperative to create a fresh narrative for the years to come,” says Natalie Nguyen, Co-Captain of the Kickers Women’s Team. The Kickers are passionate about promoting and developing the sport of rugby in the Comox Valley area with a focus on player development. Whether it be at the club level or representative honours at either the BC or Team Canada level, members of all skills and abilities are supported and an accepting and encouraging environment is provided for all to thrive in. The Kickers goal is to eliminate barriers for individuals to engage in sport, with rugby being one of the more affordable sports to play. All members pay annual fees which are used primarily to provide player insurance and medical coverage and to cover dues to the British Columbia Rugby Union and Rugby Canada. The Kickers would like to take the time to...
