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 @ 2:30pm 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 lost a club stalwart on November 1, 2022 with the passing of Konrad Nikkel. He will be forever missed.
Memory Eternal Konny 