Local Sports

Lynne Beecroft said she focused on connecting with the players one-on-one to get her message across during her coaching days. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria)

Full circle fairytale for UVic’s field hockey legend

Lynne Beecroft never imagined herself coaching. 39 years later, she’s won 15 nationals

Lynne Beecroft said she focused on connecting with the players one-on-one to get her message across during her coaching days. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria)
Oak Bay High swimmer Lauren Threlfall competes in freestyle at the Island competition in Nanaimo. (Courtesy Oak Bay High)

PHOTOS: Oak Bay swim team sends relays to provincial competition

12 young athletes compete at Richmond swim meet Nov. 18 and 19

Oak Bay High swimmer Lauren Threlfall competes in freestyle at the Island competition in Nanaimo. (Courtesy Oak Bay High)
Alphonso Franco is the new manager of the men’s national cricket team. (Courtesy of Marie Zirk)

Victoria resident Alphonso Franco takes over management of national cricket team

The owner of the Victoria Patriots will take Canada’s national cricket team to compete in Malaysia

Alphonso Franco is the new manager of the men’s national cricket team. (Courtesy of Marie Zirk)
The University of Victoria Vikes women’s rowing team displays the national championship banner. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria)

UVic women’s rowing team wins national title and Jane Gumley named coach of the year

Vikes women’s rowing team head coach is the first female coach to win the national banner

The University of Victoria Vikes women’s rowing team displays the national championship banner. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria)
Oak Bay High School’s Charli Mlotshwa runs Saturday (Nov. 5) during the B.C. High School Cross-Country Championships, held at Royal Roads University. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Boys bring home banner for Oak Bay cross-country team

Two young athletes win on stunning Royal Roads course

Oak Bay High School’s Charli Mlotshwa runs Saturday (Nov. 5) during the B.C. High School Cross-Country Championships, held at Royal Roads University. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Sooke Celtic hosts Cowichan Oak Friday at 7 p.m. at Fred Milne Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Celtic storms into first place in VISL play

Celtic host Cowichan Oak on Friday

Sooke Celtic hosts Cowichan Oak Friday at 7 p.m. at Fred Milne Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Victoria lost in overtime to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Nov. 4 to cap the Royals’ first eastern conference road in over two years. (Courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals trudge through first eastern conference road trip in years

Local team goes 1-5 against Central Divison opponents

Victoria lost in overtime to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Nov. 4 to cap the Royals’ first eastern conference road in over two years. (Courtesy of Victoria Royals)
Members of the University of Victoria women’s field hockey team celebrating their national championship win on Saturday. (Courtesy AP Shutter)

Dynastic duo earns fitting field hockey swansong

Lynne Beecroft started and ended her career as a coach with Mollenhauers on the team

Members of the University of Victoria women’s field hockey team celebrating their national championship win on Saturday. (Courtesy AP Shutter)
Junior girls run past Hatley Castle Saturday (Nov. 5) during the B.C. High School Cross Country Championships, held at Royal Roads University. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: High School cross country champions crowned in Colwood

Royal Roads University provided scenic setting for B.C. High School Cross Country Championships

Junior girls run past Hatley Castle Saturday (Nov. 5) during the B.C. High School Cross Country Championships, held at Royal Roads University. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Katalyna Low and sister Allegra line up with the Esquimalt Speed Skating Club during a training session at Archie Browning Sports Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Regional speed skaters to compete in Esquimalt this weekend

Speed skaters are gathering for a meet in Esquimalt Saturday

Katalyna Low and sister Allegra line up with the Esquimalt Speed Skating Club during a training session at Archie Browning Sports Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Basketball legend Steve Nash fired as Nets coach after poor start, more controversy

Plagued with controversy surrounding their stars, Brooklyn started the season 2-5 under Nash

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Sooke Celtic hosts games on Nov. 4 and 11 at Fred Milne Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Celtic poised for first-place push

VISL club plays to 1-1 draw against Juan de Fuca

Sooke Celtic hosts games on Nov. 4 and 11 at Fred Milne Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Vancouver Island University’s soccer program won two provincial championships in one day as the women and men both won Pacific Western Athletic Association titles on Sunday, Oct. 30, in West Vancouver. (News Bulletin file photo)

VIU Mariners soccer teams both win provincial championships

Women beat Douglas 5-1, men shut out Langara 2-0

Vancouver Island University’s soccer program won two provincial championships in one day as the women and men both won Pacific Western Athletic Association titles on Sunday, Oct. 30, in West Vancouver. (News Bulletin file photo)
Victoria Shamrocks players salute the crowd at The Q Centre in Colwood after being eliminated from the Western Lacrosse Association semifinals with a 15-10 loss in game 6 to the Langley Thunder during the 2022 post season. (Victoria Shamrocks/Twitter)

71 seasons and still going strong: Community key to Victoria Shamrocks success

Much has changed since 1950, but the team’s core values and community support have been a constant

Victoria Shamrocks players salute the crowd at The Q Centre in Colwood after being eliminated from the Western Lacrosse Association semifinals with a 15-10 loss in game 6 to the Langley Thunder during the 2022 post season. (Victoria Shamrocks/Twitter)
Jordan River kite surfer Frances Kelly placed second at the GKA Kite World Tour stop in Morocco, her first ever final event in the sport. (Courtesy of Romantsovaphoto)

Jordan River kite surfer finishes second in world tour stop in Morocco

Frances Kelly earned her best-ever finish despite two years of no competition during COVID

Jordan River kite surfer Frances Kelly placed second at the GKA Kite World Tour stop in Morocco, her first ever final event in the sport. (Courtesy of Romantsovaphoto)
Hannah Steven, RVYC sailing staff, and her companion sailor, a DSA client, cruise in Cadboro Bay aboard Freedom a Martin 16 sailboat. (Courtesy Disabled Sailing Association Victoria)

Oak Bay yacht club rescues swamped Victoria adaptive sailing program

Victoria Disabled Sailing Association sees successful summer programming

Hannah Steven, RVYC sailing staff, and her companion sailor, a DSA client, cruise in Cadboro Bay aboard Freedom a Martin 16 sailboat. (Courtesy Disabled Sailing Association Victoria)
The Victoria Royals are going further east for a road trip, starting on Oct. 26, than they’ve gone since the pandemic hit. Goaltender Tyler Palmer made 40 stops in the Victoria Royals’ 5-2 win over Kelowna in the capital city on Oct. 13. (Courtesy of the Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals set off on first eastern conference road trip since COVID hit

Royals coming off two close losses but overall better play of late

The Victoria Royals are going further east for a road trip, starting on Oct. 26, than they’ve gone since the pandemic hit. Goaltender Tyler Palmer made 40 stops in the Victoria Royals’ 5-2 win over Kelowna in the capital city on Oct. 13. (Courtesy of the Victoria Royals)
The University of Victoria’s field hockey team was awarded its fourth straight Canada West title after earning the best regular season record in 2022. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria/ Gibi Saini)

Vikes field hockey owns Canada West title for fourth straight year

UVic will host the national championship from Nov. 3 to 7

The University of Victoria’s field hockey team was awarded its fourth straight Canada West title after earning the best regular season record in 2022. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria/ Gibi Saini)
The University of Victoria’s women’s rugby team took home the silver medal after falling to UBC in the Canada West championship on Oct. 23. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria/Don Voaklander)

UVic hosting women’s rugby national championships

Vikes are ranked sixth in the country coming off a Canada West silver medal

The University of Victoria’s women’s rugby team took home the silver medal after falling to UBC in the Canada West championship on Oct. 23. (Courtesy of the University of Victoria/Don Voaklander)
Pacific FC head coach James Merriman hugs Gianni dos Santos after the game. Merriman is up for Coach of the Year in his first season leading PFC. (Simon Fearn/Black Press)

Pacific FC coach, three players up for end-of-season awards

James Merriman, Manny Aparicio, Callum Irving and Amer Didic all nominated

Pacific FC head coach James Merriman hugs Gianni dos Santos after the game. Merriman is up for Coach of the Year in his first season leading PFC. (Simon Fearn/Black Press)