Local Sports

Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria, Island football players take their game to the next level

National showcase games coming up for Vancouver Island high school standouts

Mount Douglas Rams offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald hopes to showcase his skills at a couple of upcoming football events, including the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa on May 27. (Black Press Media file photo)
Lucas Ricci playing for Pacific FC during a warm-up game at Starlight Stadium. (Courtesy of Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)

Pacific FC signs draft pick Ricci to pro deal

The Montreal midfielder won a U Sports Championship with the University of Montreal in 2021

Lucas Ricci playing for Pacific FC during a warm-up game at Starlight Stadium. (Courtesy of Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Canada’s Karen Paquin, center, is pursued by Brazil’s, from left, Mariana Nicolau, Luiza Campos, and Thalita da Silva Costa, as she runs on her way to scoring a try, in their women’s rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Shuji Kajiyama

Island strong in Canadian women’s rugby roster chosen for New Zealand showdown

Two Cowichan and two Victoria players on Langford-picked squad headed to Pacific Four Series

Canada’s Karen Paquin, center, is pursued by Brazil’s, from left, Mariana Nicolau, Luiza Campos, and Thalita da Silva Costa, as she runs on her way to scoring a try, in their women’s rugby sevens match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Shuji Kajiyama
Greater Victoria player Rio Schaefer (in white) returns a volley during an under-19 boys match against Joseph Toth in the Canadian Junior Squash Championships, at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. Schaefer wound up tied for ninth while Toth placed sixth. The tournament ran Thursday through Sunday. See story on page A29. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

PHOTOS: National junior tournament in Saanich boosts squash profile locally

Cedar Hill club’s head pro hopes exposure will boost numbers down the road

Greater Victoria player Rio Schaefer (in white) returns a volley during an under-19 boys match against Joseph Toth in the Canadian Junior Squash Championships, at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. Schaefer wound up tied for ninth while Toth placed sixth. The tournament ran Thursday through Sunday. See story on page A29. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Canadian rowers Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee in action on the water. (Courtesy Greater Victoria Hall of Fame)

Full class of inductees heading into Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame

Olympic medallists, golf and football pros, ice and outdoor track specialists on list

Canadian rowers Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee in action on the water. (Courtesy Greater Victoria Hall of Fame)
Cedar Hill Squash Club head pro Benjamin Uliana invites the community down to watch top-level Canadian junior squash played inside the glass court behind him. The nationals get underway Thursday (May 5) and run through Sunday at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Squash talent will be clear to spectators at Jr. nationals in Saanich

Nation’s tops teens battling on Cedar Hill Squash Club courts for Canadian crowns

Cedar Hill Squash Club head pro Benjamin Uliana invites the community down to watch top-level Canadian junior squash played inside the glass court behind him. The nationals get underway Thursday (May 5) and run through Sunday at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Krissy Scurfield greets young fans after a game during the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series tournament in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Late call-up Krissy Scurfield makes her mark at women’s sevens event in Langford

Scurfield wasn’t in the original lineup for this HSBC Women’s Sevens Series stop

Krissy Scurfield greets young fans after a game during the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series tournament in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Jayah Niedoba, Paige Hall and Elly Martin (centre three) from Inspire Sports Victoria celebrate their victories with Team B.C. teammates Sanne-Lise Garbe and Makayla Roy at the Western Canadian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Winnipeg in late April. (Photo courtesy of Darcie Niedoba)

Western Canadian gymnastics gold comes to Greater Victoria athletes

Trio of gymnasts from Saanich club shine in Winnipeg, help Team B.C. win gold

Jayah Niedoba, Paige Hall and Elly Martin (centre three) from Inspire Sports Victoria celebrate their victories with Team B.C. teammates Sanne-Lise Garbe and Makayla Roy at the Western Canadian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Winnipeg in late April. (Photo courtesy of Darcie Niedoba)
Norm Wilcox in the #1 car. (Courtesy Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame)

Speedway legends establish Victoria Auto Racers Hall of Fame

Norm Wilcox looks back at his start in racing, establishment of hall of fame

Norm Wilcox in the #1 car. (Courtesy Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame)
Canada’s Keyara Wardley smiles as she scores a try against Spain during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium Saturday, April 30, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Canada tops Spain in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series’ return to Langford

The women’s squad won 19-10 in their first match of the two-day tournament at Starlight Stadium

Canada’s Keyara Wardley smiles as she scores a try against Spain during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium Saturday, April 30, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Team Canada captain Breanne Nicholas stands atop the Malahat Skywalk on Thursday following the traditional captain’s photo ahead of the two-day HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Reaching for the sky: Rugby sevens captains gather before Langford tournament

Canada’s Breanne Nicholas looks forward to having home field advantage this weekend

Team Canada captain Breanne Nicholas stands atop the Malahat Skywalk on Thursday following the traditional captain’s photo ahead of the two-day HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Darren Berrecloth rides through the red ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Jordie Lunn Bike Park in June 2021. The park is set to host the first-ever Langford Bikefest this summer, featuring world cup pump track racing, enduro racing, and skills sessions. (Black Press Media file photo)

World cup qualifier coming to inaugural Langford Bikefest this summer

The festival runs July 2 to 3 and will feature races, skills sessions and more

Darren Berrecloth rides through the red ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Jordie Lunn Bike Park in June 2021. The park is set to host the first-ever Langford Bikefest this summer, featuring world cup pump track racing, enduro racing, and skills sessions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Friends 11 batsman Sandeep Chamba heads for the wicket against Incogs/Cowichan during cricket play at Beacon Hill Park, April 25. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria pre-season cricket finale pulls record crowd, opens city conversation on improved facilities

Vancouver Island should do more for Canada’s fastest-growing and oldest national sport; Haynes

Friends 11 batsman Sandeep Chamba heads for the wicket against Incogs/Cowichan during cricket play at Beacon Hill Park, April 25. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Anglers with questions about salmon fishing are invited to attend one of a series of meetings on the coast this week. Dates are April 26 in Richmond, April 27 in Langford and April 29 in Campbell River. (Sound Publishing file photo)

Sport Fishing Institute of B.C. looking for angler input at community meetings

Gatherings April 26 in Richmond, April 27 in Langford, April 29 in Campbell River

Anglers with questions about salmon fishing are invited to attend one of a series of meetings on the coast this week. Dates are April 26 in Richmond, April 27 in Langford and April 29 in Campbell River. (Sound Publishing file photo)
Newly announced Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys, who takes on the job this summer, has held several executive positions with rugby organizations in the UK. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)

Rugby Canada chooses experienced executive as new CEO to navigate challenges

Nathan Bombrys joins organization this summer after years of management in the UK

Newly announced Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys, who takes on the job this summer, has held several executive positions with rugby organizations in the UK. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)
Western Speedway legend Dave Cooper holds one of the many trophies from his racing days. (Black Press Media file photo)

Western Speedway racing legend ‘The Flying Plumber’ had all the tools

Dave Cooper recalls car crashes, his first win, and more in Langford

Western Speedway legend Dave Cooper holds one of the many trophies from his racing days. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals lost 4-3 in overtime against the Peninsula Panthers in Game 6 of their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League best-of-seven series final at the Peninsula Recreation Centre on Friday, April 1. (Michael Briones photo)

Bet-losing Parksville, Qualicum Beach mayors get their North Saanich hockey jerseys

After losing friendly wager, Ed Mayne sported a Peninsula Panthers jersey on April 20

The Quality Foods Oceanside Generals lost 4-3 in overtime against the Peninsula Panthers in Game 6 of their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League best-of-seven series final at the Peninsula Recreation Centre on Friday, April 1. (Michael Briones photo)
Canada’s Elissa Alarie takes advantage of an opening to head upfield during previous women’s rugby sevens action. The Langford-based national team program is gearing up to host the next stop on the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens series, April 30 and May 1 at Starlight Stadium. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)

Canada’s women’s sevens gearing up for home rugby show in Langford

Women’s, men’s sevens look to cement 2022 World Cup berth this weekend in Bahamas

Canada’s Elissa Alarie takes advantage of an opening to head upfield during previous women’s rugby sevens action. The Langford-based national team program is gearing up to host the next stop on the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens series, April 30 and May 1 at Starlight Stadium. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)
Victoria Royals players Gannon Laroque, left, Bailey Peach and Tarun Fizer received divisional honours for their Western Hockey League play this past season. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals miss WHL playoffs, but set to pick third in annual prospect draft

Post-season B.C. Division honours given to Bailey Peach, Gannon Laroque, Tarun Fizer

Victoria Royals players Gannon Laroque, left, Bailey Peach and Tarun Fizer received divisional honours for their Western Hockey League play this past season. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)
Newly acquired coach Anthony Pluta tours the Island Training Centre in Langford. The multisport centre offers off-season training and more to baseball and softball players. (Photo by Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)

Former pro baseball pitcher training next generation in Langford

Anthony Pluta reunited with teammate Charlie Strandlund at Island Training Centre

Newly acquired coach Anthony Pluta tours the Island Training Centre in Langford. The multisport centre offers off-season training and more to baseball and softball players. (Photo by Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Pop-up banner image