By Devon Gall
Saanich Minor Hockey’s top team, the Saanich Braves Midget AAs, won two back-to-back playoff games over Campbell River to clinch the Island Championship Sunday... and a berth to the Provincial Championships in Trail.
To help offset expenses associated with the trip, the team is hosting a bottle drive this Saturday (March 7) at the Bottle Depot on Glanford Avenue. Stop by from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to cheer the boys on and lend your support for their quest for a BC title. Go Braves!
With spring just around the corner, so is the high school rugby season. With the public schools in the middle of Spring Break, just one game is on the calendar this week, when Glenlyon Norfolk School visits home team Saint Michaels University School, Wednesday, March 11 at 3:45 p.m.
More games will take place in late March when the schools return from the break.
Also on the rugby pitch, this Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, will see some of the country’s top rugby talent come to Langford’s Westhills Stadium for the National University 7s Rugby Championship. The University of Victoria men kick off play against the University of Calgary today (Friday, March 6) at 9 a.m. Additional preliminary Vikes games are scheduled for 11:34 a.m. and 2:08 p.m. March 6.
On the women’s side, UVic has two teams participating, with the yellow team kicking things off at 10:06 a.m. March 6 versus York. Victoria Blue opens against Calgary at 10:50 a.m.
Crossover play continues on Saturday with the Cup Final set for 6 p.m. and the Plate Final slated for 3:18 p.m. Tickets for all games will be available at the stadium. For more information and the full schedule, visit www.canadianuniversity7s.com/
Also on the Vikes calendar this weekend is the 41st Elk Lake Spring Regatta for the Men’s and Women’s Rowing, Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, and with this weekend’s predicted weather, it will be the perfect opportunity to cheer on the local rowers. For more details, visit govikesgo.com/regattainfo
Victoria Junior Field Hockey returns to the pitch with a “Try field hockey for free” camp this Sunday, March 8, from 10 to 11 a.m. on the UVic turf. A great way for young athletes from ages four to 18 to try out the sport for no cost, upon arrival, they’ll be treated to free gear for the session, plus experienced coaching and plenty of fun!
Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association opens play March 7 with the Renegades and Ravens at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Lynx 2 and Sailors at 11 a.m. and the Cardinals and Blue Jays at 2 p.m.
Rounding out the day will be the hellish match-up of the Devils and Demons at 3:30 p.m., before Lynx 3 and Pirates end the day off at 5 p.m. All games will be played at the UVic turf.
Lake Hill Little League and SVI Softball are still taking registrations for the 2015 ball season. Children can start as early as the age of three up until 18 years old. In person registrations are over, however you can still register online at lakehillball.com
Want to join the boys (and girls) of summer...behind the plate? Victoria’s umpire clinics for both new and returning umpires are coming up later this month. New prospective umps (pee wee age and older) should register for the Level 1 clinic. Returning Level 1 umpires can register for the Level 2 clinic.
Level 1 runs at Central Middle School March 23 and 25 at 7 p.m., March 26 and April 2 at 6 p.m. Each sessions is expected to run 1.5 to 2 hours. The day-long Level 2 course is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Pacific Institute of Sports Excellence (by Camosun College Interurban campus).
Additional clinics are also scheduled in Duncan and Nanaimo.
- Devon Gall is an avid sports fan and athlete, and Grade 12 student at Mount Douglas secondary.