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 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 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 27, 2024 | Game Reports
This past weekend, rugby fans gathered at Cumberland Village Park to celebrate the Comox Valley Kickers RFC’s only home doubleheader of the season. The event was filled with excitement both on and off the field, featuring a beer garden, BBQ, merchandise sales, and a sponsor appreciation celebration to honor the club’s 2024/2025 supporters. The Kickers extended special thanks to their generous sponsors: Courtenay Nissan, The Buddery House, RLR Lawyers, Beaufort Ave Pub, Nelson Roofing & Sheet Metal, and Mowi, whose backing plays an essential role in the club’s ongoing success. “Sponsorship is the backbone of our club; it allows us to grow, improve, and keep rugby accessible to our community. Our sponsors’ support enables us to provide opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels, build meaningful connections, and foster a love for the game, says Kickers Director of Sponsorship Jess Nikkel. “We are so grateful for their support.” The Kickers women kicked off the day with an impressive 82-12 win against the James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA), showing a strong return to form after their previous matchup. Cali McKay racked up five tries with remarkable agility and strength, while Sophia Julien followed closely behind, adding four tries of her own, showing excellent field awareness and speed. Lauren Sargent, Kristin Johnson, Amelia Gallow, Daris Forberg, and Lillian Hart each contributed with one try, reflecting the depth and cohesion across the team. McKay added 6 successful conversions. The Kickers showcased a strengthened scrum, holding their own against the opposition and gaining valuable territory. Line speed was notably sharper this game, allowing them to shut down JBAA’s offensive attempts early...
by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 21, 2024 | Game Reports
This past Saturday, the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s rugby team faced a tough Westshore side falling 15-74. After an atmospheric river briefly gave way, standing puddles marked the field, making it a wet and wild affair. Despite the conditions, both teams put on an exciting rugby display. The Kickers fought valiantly, with tries scored by Natalie Nguyen, Daris Forberg, and Sienna Stigant. Although the scoreboard heavily favored Westshore, the Comox Valley team showed tremendous heart throughout the game, never letting up. Coach JB Nikkel praised the team’s effort, offering words of encouragement after the match. “We have only started the season, and with the team I see in front of me, we can do anything,” he said. “We got to play against some pretty amazing athletes today, and our players matched that level. We just fell short today with our execution. Sometimes a loss brings out the win. We will continue to build on our weaknesses and grow stronger.” With the season still in its early stages, the Kickers remain optimistic about the future. Saturday’s game, though challenging, was a stepping stone toward stronger performances in the matches to come. The Kickers will have another shot at Westshore in their final regular-season game. “It will be exciting to compare our team at the beginning of the season to the end of the season,” Coach Nikkel added. The Comox Valley Kickers RFC invite the community to an exciting day of rugby action next Saturday, October 26 as they host a thrilling home doubleheader at Cumberland Village Park - the only one all season, making it a must-attend event. The Comox...
by Natalie Ramsay | Oct 6, 2024 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers women’s rugby team made a powerful statement in their season opener at home, delivering a dominant 88-0 victory over Castaway Wanderers (CW), who travelled up island from Oak Bay. The Kickers showcased impressive teamwork, with quick hands and blistering speed contributing to their overwhelming performance. Leading the charge was Cali McKay, who powered through the defense for an impressive four tries. Sophia Julien added three of her own, while Amelia Gallow, Sienna Stigant, and Natalie Nguyen each contributed two tries. Daris Forberg rounded off the scoring with a try of her own, showcasing the depth and versatility across the team. McKay was in top form, converting nine of the tries. The women displayed exceptional skill, with quick hands and explosive speed propelling them across the pitch. It was a complete team performance that sets a strong tone for the rest of the season. With this victory, the team also retains the Gudmundseth Shield which is only defended on home field against other Vancouver Island teams. Captain Dara DeMarce said, “We came out strong and utilized the game plan we’ve been practicing. It’s a great way to start the season, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team’s effort. We’re excited to keep this momentum going.” Meanwhile, the Comox Valley Kickers men’s team faced a challenging rematch on the road against James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA). This time, the Kickers showed significant improvement, despite falling short with a score of 22-55. Tries came from Brandon Hudson, Andy Hextall, Jesse Ramsay, and Nick Gilmour with Kyle Hall adding one conversion. Though the final scoreline was not in...
