by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 15, 2022 | Game Reports, Men's News, Women's News
In their first match on the mainland this season, the Comox Valley Kickers Men’s team travelled to Surrey this past Saturday to face off against the Beavers, winning 46-20. Devon Moore (2), Craig Whiley (2), Brandon Hudson (2), Raffael Tonazzi and Derek McCubbin scored tries with Kyle Hall adding three successful conversions. “It was a very tough initial first 15 minutes. We found ourselves on our back foot often during this time and didn’t really have a chance to possess the ball. After that first 15 minutes, we were able to get into our groove and score a few quick tries with one right before the end of the half, which shifted the momentum of the game,” said Outside Centre Devon Moore. “We worked hard at the breakdowns and were able to run some plays which resulted in more scoring opportunities. Overall, we were successful at executing our game plan.” The Comox Valley Kickers Women hosted a combined side from Cowichan/Westshore. With the visiting team travelling light, the game had to be modified to 10-a-side rugby at Cumberland Village Park. The Kickers lost 33-10 with Kaitlyn Hazelman and Chloë Speed scoring a try each. “Playing 10’s is tough. There is a lot more open space on the field. One missed tackle can result in a big breakaway. The game was more fast paced, and we were caught out of place on defense a few times which hurt us,” says Co-Captain Natalie Nguyen. “The end result wasn’t what we wanted but there were still good takeaways from this game. We were better at jackaling the ball and had some...
by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 1, 2022 | Game Reports, Women's News
This past Saturday, the Comox Valley Kickers Women hosted the Castaway Wanderers (“CW”) at Cumberland Village Park. This was the second time both teams have played each other this season, but with a different result this time around. The Kickers won 29-26 with Dara DeMarce, Lauren Sargent, Lisa Korcsmaros, Jessica Nikkel and Daris Tendler Forberg scoring a try each. Christina Green-Speck added two converts. “We came back from an early deficit to take the lead and worked hard at the end of the second half to secure the win. There was a bigger focus on teamwork this game. As the saying goes, you can go faster alone but can go further together,” says Coach Jean-Pierre Lussier. “We ran better support lines, were strong in the scrums and improved with our rucking. Things are really coming along for the team.” Regretfully, there was no men’s game as CW Men’s defaulted. There is a league wide bye over Thanksgiving weekend with the league resuming on October 15. The Kickers Men’s Team will travel to the mainland to play against the Surrey Beavers while the Kickers Women’s Team will host a combined side from Cowichan/Westshore. Both the men’s and the women’s teams are continually recruiting players. No experience necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Village Park. Everyone welcome. For more information, please visit...
by Natalie Ramsay | Sep 26, 2022 | Game Reports, Women's News
The Comox Valley Kickers Women were on the road again, this time to Nanaimo to face off against the Hornets at May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park. The Kickers lost 10-36 with Yui Okada and Lauren Sargent scoring a try each. “There are positive takeaways from this game, despite the end result. The score was 5-10 at the half, but Nanaimo’s experience made the difference in the second half, and they were able to score a few quick ones. We’ve made improvements from our last game and will continue to build momentum,” says Coach Jean-Pierre Lussier. “I’m proud of our team. The most important thing was that we never gave up.” On Saturday, October 1st, there will be a doubleheader at Cumberland Village Park where both the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s and Men’s will host the Castaway Wanderers. Kickoff will be at 11:30AM for the women and 12:45PM for the men. Both the men’s and the women’s teams are continually recruiting players. No experience necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Village Park. Everyone welcome. For more information, please visit...
by Natalie Ramsay | Sep 19, 2022 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers Men hosted Simon Fraser University RFC (“SFU”) at Cumberland Village Park this past Saturday, winning 50–10. Devon Moore (2), Brandon Hudson, Jesse Ramsay, Justin Thomson, Kyle Hall, Nick Gilmour and Tosh Wilmott scored for the Kickers with Hall adding successful 5 converts. “SFU had experienced players but travelled light, so we were able to take advantage of the lack of numbers. We had a game plan of testing their defense with our forward pack while our strong back line were able to execute on plays. Defensively, we were able to shut them down out wide. We are building momentum and things are looking up from here,” says Hook Jesse Ramsay. The Comox Valley Kickers Women travelled to Victoria to face off against the Castaway Wanderers II (“CW”) at Windsor Park, losing 22-91. Yui Okada (2), Tyra Schaad and Jenn Lund scored for the Kickers with Lauren Sargent adding 1 convert. “The score doesn’t reflect it, but it was a great game. We played well with minimal subs, but CW had a few speedsters that we could not stop. We have a few key areas that need improvement, but we will continue to build on this game. We will look for redemption when CW I travels to us in two weeks,” says Co-Captain Lauren Sargent. On Saturday, September 24th, the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s team travel to Nanaimo to play against the Hornets at May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park; the Comox Valley Kickers Men’s have a bye. Both the men’s and the women’s teams are continually recruiting players. No experience necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and...
by Natalie Ramsay | Sep 12, 2022 | Game Reports, Men's News, Women's News
A new rugby season kicked off this past weekend! The Comox Valley Kickers Men play in the BCRU Division III League and traveled to Victoria to face off against the Castaway Wanderers RFC (“CW”), winning 51-35. Jesse Ramsay, Kyle Hall, Nick Gilmour, Craig Whiley (2), Devon Moore (2), Derek McCubbin (2) scored for the Kickers, with Hall adding 3 conversions. “It was truly a team effort in our victory this weekend. Our field coverage and support lines were the difference maker in this game,” says Scrumhalf Kyle Hall. “We maintained possession for most of the first half, though CW was trying to mount comeback early in the second half which we nipped by being quick to the breakdowns. Our rucking was sound and when a player had a breakaway, there was great support. With so many options provided, it is very tough to defend.” The Comox Valley Kickers Women play in the BCRU Island League this fall and started off the rugby season with a mini tournament held at the Cowichan Rugby Club. Teams in attendance included James Bay Athletic Association, Nanaimo RFC, Cowichan RFC, and Castaway Wanderers I and II. “There was some rust in the first game, and it took a bit to get going. Our defense was not as tight as it could be, and we were beat out wide in the first game we played. A highlight was that we were strong in the breakdowns and continued building momentum going into our other three games. We were able to execute more attacking plays which resulted in some big gains. We improve greatly from our first...
by Natalie Ramsay | Aug 26, 2022 | Club Events, News
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by Natalie Ramsay | Jun 11, 2022 | Club Events
Four members of the Comox Valley Kickers RFC participated in the 2022 Comox Valley Strength Festival. Coinciding with the Strongman & Strongwoman competition at Lewis Park, Natalie Nguyen, Brandon Hudson, Danelle Campbell and Ben Bekk took part in the Courtenay Crossfit Challenge which was hosted by Stronghearts Fitness: School of Movement. The event consisted of three workouts in a co-ed partner format going head-to-head with another team. The pairs were Natalie and Brandon (PYG) and Danelle and Ben (Fun times with Ben & Nelle). Workout 1 (5 min time cap): Wheelbarrow your partner 100m, switch positions, and wheelbarrow back. Deadlift (225lb for men/155lb for women) for reps while partner does burpees. Workout 2 (20 min time cap): One partner rows for 400m; both partners have to carry the rower 400m x 4 rounds. Workout 3 (5 min time cap): One partner had to flip a tire, jump in and run around while the other partner had to hold a plank. Once the form went on the plank, partners had to switch positions. PYG won all 3 of their matchups, taking home 1st place and Fun times with Ben & Nelle were on the podium in 3rd place. It was a tough but fun experience. Thanks to everyone who came and cheered. We hope that more ruggers will sign up next...
by Natalie Ramsay | May 31, 2022 | Club Events
Summer Co-Ed Touch Rugby is back! We are running on Tuesdays at 6:30PM and Saturdays at 10:00AM at Lake Trail Middle School Lower Field. Everyone welcomed. No experience needed. Please follow us on Facebook (Comox Valley Kickers RFC) for the latest...
by Natalie Ramsay | May 28, 2022 | Club Events
The Comox Valley Kickers RFC celebrated the end of a great season this past Saturday at the year-end awards banquet held at the Dove Creek Hall. There were more than 50 people in attendance and the evening comprised of socializing, dinner, speeches, a musical performance to Enrique Iglesias’ Hero from the men’s team and the presentation of awards. Kickers Women’s Award Winners: MVP: Natalie NguyenBack of the Year: Natalie NguyenForward of the Year: Dara DeMarceRookie of the Year: Christina Green-SpeckMost Improved: Erin RautenbergMost Tenacious: Chloe SpeedMost Sportsmanlike: Jessica LeckCoach’s Award: Lauren Sargent Kickers Men’s Award Winners: MVP: Kyle HallBack of the Year: Kyle HallForward of the Year: Kyle ChristensenRookie of the Year: Craig WhileyMost Improved: Raffael TonazziMost Tenacious: Justin ThomsonMost Sportsmanlike: Joe Goldes & Scott WellsCoach’s Award: Trevor McGuire For outstanding contribution to the Comox Valley Kicker RFC, Natalie Nguyen was awarded the Phil Koester Award. It was a fun evening had by all and we look forward to the 2022-2023 rugby...
by Natalie Ramsay | May 9, 2022 | Community Involvement, Women's News
Natalie Nguyen, Captain of the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s Rugby Team is a 2022 Gilbert Champion! From Gilbert Rugby Canada: “These incredible folks are working to grow the game of rugby in Canada. We have a diverse group of athletes, coaches and community builders who are inspiring the next generation of rugby players. At Gilbert we truly believe that rugby makes your life better - through not only the team work, fitness and confidence grown by playing, but by the community and support that rugby is uniquely known for.” Please check out her biography and the other champions here:...
