Local Sports

Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to before game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers on Wednesday at Oceanside Place. The Panthers won 2-1 and host game 2 on Friday (March 25). (Michael Briones/Black Press Media)

Peninsula Panthers grab early VIJHL final lead with 2-1 win in Parksville

Riley Braun scores winner late against Oceanside; Panthers host game 2 Friday

Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to before game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers on Wednesday at Oceanside Place. The Panthers won 2-1 and host game 2 on Friday (March 25). (Michael Briones/Black Press Media)
Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Independent review paints damning, dysfunctional picture of Rugby Canada

‘Culture of Rugby Canada and the high-performance program is described as ‘empty’ or ‘non-existent”

Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Saanich’s Maki Jenner, right, here in action for the Concordia University (St. Paul) Golden Bears women’s field lacrosse team in 2021, is bringing her knowledge of the sport to a national audience with her LAX Facts clips on TSN. (Photo by Hannah Schwartz/CSP Athletics)

Young Saanich lacrosse player showcases knowledge, broadcast skills in TSN clips

Maki Jenner has strong pedigree in the sport, is pursuing goal of sportscasting

Saanich’s Maki Jenner, right, here in action for the Concordia University (St. Paul) Golden Bears women’s field lacrosse team in 2021, is bringing her knowledge of the sport to a national audience with her LAX Facts clips on TSN. (Photo by Hannah Schwartz/CSP Athletics)
The UVic Vikes men’s basketball team defeated the top-seeded University of Alberta 70-64 in Saturday’s Canada West gold medal final in Edmonton. The Vikes return for the U SPORTS National Championships in two weeks time. (Courtesy of Vikes Athletics and Recreation)

UVic Vikes capture Canada West men’s basketball gold

Vikes win first regional crown since 2014-15 season, head to nationals April 1 to 3

The UVic Vikes men’s basketball team defeated the top-seeded University of Alberta 70-64 in Saturday’s Canada West gold medal final in Edmonton. The Vikes return for the U SPORTS National Championships in two weeks time. (Courtesy of Vikes Athletics and Recreation)
Royals defenceman Devin Aubin celebrates one of his two goals during Victoria’s 6-2 win over the Prince George Cougars on March 18. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals leapfrog into playoff spot after two wins against Prince George

The local team now sits in seventh place in the Western Conference

Royals defenceman Devin Aubin celebrates one of his two goals during Victoria’s 6-2 win over the Prince George Cougars on March 18. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)
The fun-oriented World Cups Youth Festival soccer tournament is returning to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April. (Photo by Kelly Wallace/courtesy of Dom Butcher)

World Cups soccer festival returns to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April

Youth 5 to 18 can register for fun-oriented event, founded in 1986 by Frank Leversedge

The fun-oriented World Cups Youth Festival soccer tournament is returning to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April. (Photo by Kelly Wallace/courtesy of Dom Butcher)
The Royal Colwood Golf Club is hosting a Toyota Junior Golf World Cup qualifying tournament April 11 to 14. (Photo courtesy Royal Colwood Golf Club)

Royal Colwood set to host to Toyota Junior Golf World Cup qualifyng tournament

Players from 6 countries compete April 11 to 14 for spots in World Cup event in Japan

The Royal Colwood Golf Club is hosting a Toyota Junior Golf World Cup qualifying tournament April 11 to 14. (Photo courtesy Royal Colwood Golf Club)
Some Williams Lake U11 hockey players enjoyed a game wearing NHL jerseys at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Back row from left, Callum Peterson - Dallas, Kalen Surette - Vegas, Mike Palmantier - Seattle, Kloey Spence - Vancouver, Tryan Rivet - Pittsburgh, Gavin Francis - Carolina, Cole Olsen - Nashville, Henry Larsson-Allan - Philadelphia, third= row from left, Deklan Fraser - Calgary, Landon Galisky - Buffalo, Matthew Boyd-Gilbert - Detroit, Easton Neuner - St. Louis, Jackson Sache - Anaheim, Flynn Kinley - Edmonton, Lane Judd - Winnipeg, second row from left, Carter McLennan - Arizona, Luc Harrison - Columbus, Sophie Johnson - New Jersey, Jayda Frizzi - New York Islanders, Parker Cook - Colorado, front row from left Zion Campbell - Toronto and Wade Hansen - Montreal. (Clay Palmantier photo)

22 NHL jerseys = fun game on ice

Williams Lake hockey dad Clay Palmantier organized the event

Some Williams Lake U11 hockey players enjoyed a game wearing NHL jerseys at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Back row from left, Callum Peterson - Dallas, Kalen Surette - Vegas, Mike Palmantier - Seattle, Kloey Spence - Vancouver, Tryan Rivet - Pittsburgh, Gavin Francis - Carolina, Cole Olsen - Nashville, Henry Larsson-Allan - Philadelphia, third= row from left, Deklan Fraser - Calgary, Landon Galisky - Buffalo, Matthew Boyd-Gilbert - Detroit, Easton Neuner - St. Louis, Jackson Sache - Anaheim, Flynn Kinley - Edmonton, Lane Judd - Winnipeg, second row from left, Carter McLennan - Arizona, Luc Harrison - Columbus, Sophie Johnson - New Jersey, Jayda Frizzi - New York Islanders, Parker Cook - Colorado, front row from left Zion Campbell - Toronto and Wade Hansen - Montreal. (Clay Palmantier photo)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair plays a pass during first half Celebration Tour soccer action against New Zealand, in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced that the country’s gold medal-winning women’s soccer team will face Nigeria in a pair of games in British Columbia next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Langford gets its chance to give soccer golden girls a heroes’ welcome

Olympic champion women’s soccer squad bringing celebration tour to Starlight Stadium April 11

Canada’s Christine Sinclair plays a pass during first half Celebration Tour soccer action against New Zealand, in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced that the country’s gold medal-winning women’s soccer team will face Nigeria in a pair of games in British Columbia next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Victoria Royals forward Anthony Wilson in action during a Western Hockey League game against the Cougars in Prince George on March 12. The Royals, 5-3 winners Friday, were denied the sweep as the Cougars rolled to a 9-1 win on the Saturday. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)

9-1 loss Saturday prevents Victoria Royals from gaining ground on Prince George

Royals, Cougars to play 5 times down the stretch, fighting for final playoff spots

Victoria Royals forward Anthony Wilson in action during a Western Hockey League game against the Cougars in Prince George on March 12. The Royals, 5-3 winners Friday, were denied the sweep as the Cougars rolled to a 9-1 win on the Saturday. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)
Sebastian Sibbald stands out among his Rams football teammates at Mount Douglas Secondary. The six-foot-seven, 340-pound lineman is already highly rated among his peers, despite still being in Grade 11. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich high school football star combines size, athleticism

6-7, 340-pound offensive lineman Sebastian Sibbald turns heads on and off the field

Sebastian Sibbald stands out among his Rams football teammates at Mount Douglas Secondary. The six-foot-seven, 340-pound lineman is already highly rated among his peers, despite still being in Grade 11. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Heath Taylor takes a shot as Oak Bay faces Semiahmoo in the 2022 B.C. High School Boys 4A Basketball Tournament March 9 to 12. (Gary Ahuja/Langley Events Centre)

Saanich’s Lambrick Park Lions score silver at high school basketball provincials

Championships see Greater Victoria teams place in top 10

Heath Taylor takes a shot as Oak Bay faces Semiahmoo in the 2022 B.C. High School Boys 4A Basketball Tournament March 9 to 12. (Gary Ahuja/Langley Events Centre)
UVic’s Ethan Hager leaps to corral the ball in action against Westshore RFC at Wallace Field on March 12. (Photo courtesy University of Victoria varsity athletics)

Vikes rugby men find win column in a big way on home turf in Saanich

UVic’s 60-5 win over Westshore RFC largest offensive outburst since 2021 nationals

UVic’s Ethan Hager leaps to corral the ball in action against Westshore RFC at Wallace Field on March 12. (Photo courtesy University of Victoria varsity athletics)
Peninsula Panther Owen Cox weaves his way across the ice during last Friday’s game against the Kerry Park Islanders at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre. Cox scored the winning goal less than five minutes into the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie. The victory gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the series. Cox then scored his second goal of the playoffs some 24 hours later to break another 2-2 tie in favour of the Panthers, who now lead their series three games to one with a chance to win VIJHL’s South Division Friday night. (Courtesy of Christian J. Stewart Photography)

VIJHL finals within reach for Peninsula Panthers after weekend victories

First two playoffs goals from Owen Cox turn out to be game-winners against Kerry Park Islanders

Peninsula Panther Owen Cox weaves his way across the ice during last Friday’s game against the Kerry Park Islanders at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre. Cox scored the winning goal less than five minutes into the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie. The victory gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the series. Cox then scored his second goal of the playoffs some 24 hours later to break another 2-2 tie in favour of the Panthers, who now lead their series three games to one with a chance to win VIJHL’s South Division Friday night. (Courtesy of Christian J. Stewart Photography)
Kyle Besler, president of the Greater Victoria BMX Association, said the upcoming season is especially exciting as it will mark the return of large provincial and national-level events which have been on pause during the pandemic. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

National races to return this season to Colwood BMX track

Greater Victoria BMX Association season set to launch in early April

Kyle Besler, president of the Greater Victoria BMX Association, said the upcoming season is especially exciting as it will mark the return of large provincial and national-level events which have been on pause during the pandemic. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Royals captain Tarun Fizer had four points in Victoria’s Western Hockey League win over Portland on March 8 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals split games with Portland, face big weekend in Prince George

Royals chasing Cougars for final playoff spot, sit three points back

Royals captain Tarun Fizer had four points in Victoria’s Western Hockey League win over Portland on March 8 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)
Teams from Greater Victoria face off in a snake in the grass format at the Carnarvon Park croquet court on March 5. (Courtesy Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club)

Wicked case of wickets hits Oak Bay park for interclub croquet tournament

Greater Victoria croquet teams converge on Carnarvon court

Teams from Greater Victoria face off in a snake in the grass format at the Carnarvon Park croquet court on March 5. (Courtesy Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club)
Peninsula Panthers’ Logan Speirs (21) and Payton Braun (11) find themselves in a squeeze Monday against the Kerry Park Islanders at Panorama Recreation Centre. The visitors tied the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League South Division final with a 3-2 game 2 win. The series resumes Friday in North Saanich. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Panthers look to regain lead in VIJHL South Division final in North Saanich

Peninsula drops a narrow 3-2 decision to Kerry Park after lopsided win in opener

Peninsula Panthers’ Logan Speirs (21) and Payton Braun (11) find themselves in a squeeze Monday against the Kerry Park Islanders at Panorama Recreation Centre. The visitors tied the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League South Division final with a 3-2 game 2 win. The series resumes Friday in North Saanich. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart Photography)
Victoria Royals forward Tarun Fizer, left, is checked by the Rockets’ Colton Dach during Western Hockey League action in Kelowna on March 4. The Royals lost 5-4 in overtime. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)

WHL Royals look to gain ground in Victoria against powerful Portland squad

Weekend losses, combined with 2 Spokane wins, leave Royals three points out of playoff spot

Victoria Royals forward Tarun Fizer, left, is checked by the Rockets’ Colton Dach during Western Hockey League action in Kelowna on March 4. The Royals lost 5-4 in overtime. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)
Outrigger racers make a turn during the Kan-U-Hakit sprint event March 6 in front of the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.(Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Hundreds of outrigger paddlers bring excitement back to Victoria harbour

Kan-U-Hakit sprints the first major crew-boat race held since pandemic halted such gatherings

Outrigger racers make a turn during the Kan-U-Hakit sprint event March 6 in front of the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.(Bailey Moreton/News Staff)