Local Sports

Meliah Motchman has a snack while completing a five-kilometre swim at Thetis Lake. The Victoria Special Olympics open water swimmer is nominated for an international award. (Photo courtesy of Susan Simmons)

Victoria Special Olympics swimmer nominated for international open water award

Distance swimming specialist Meliah Motchman has broken new ground

Victoria’s Pacific FC has promoted James Merriman as head coach of the Canadian Premier League club. (Photo courtesy Pacific FC)

Vancouver Island soccer coach promoted to lead Victoria’s Pacific FC

James Merriman named as head coach of defending Canadian Premier League champions

Aaron Trotter said his parents never pressured him into hockey, which kept his love for the game going. (Courtesy of Michael Trotter)

Langford goalie working toward NCAA, NHL dreams

Aaron Trotter overcame a number of challenges to earn Division I scholarship

The Victoria Royals kept it close for much of the game but lost 4-1 to the Prince George Cougars on Jan. 19. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)

Ziemmer’s two-goal games give Prince George doubleheader sweep of Victoria Royals

Royals gear up for home games against Vancouver and Everett this Friday and Saturday night

The Victoria Royals kept it close for much of the game but lost 4-1 to the Prince George Cougars on Jan. 19. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Royals)
Justin Geddie, 20, made it National Lacrosse League debut with the San Diego Seals Jan. 14. (Courtesy of San Diego Seals)

Greater Victoria goalie helps seal win for San Diego in National Lacrosse League debut

Justin Geddie, 20, promoted to active roster after 2 others placed on COVID protocol list

Justin Geddie, 20, made it National Lacrosse League debut with the San Diego Seals Jan. 14. (Courtesy of San Diego Seals)
Victoria Royals defenceman Luke Shipley scored a highlight-reel goal seconds after being tripped late in a game against the Prince George Cougars on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy of the Western Hockey League)

Highlight-worthy goal in final seconds not enough for Victoria Royals to top Prince George

Royals remain winless in 2022 after 5-3 loss in Prince George

Victoria Royals defenceman Luke Shipley scored a highlight-reel goal seconds after being tripped late in a game against the Prince George Cougars on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy of the Western Hockey League)
A participant takes part in para-rowing with Rowing Canada. It’s one of seven para-sports being offered in a new free program for Greater Victoria youth with disabilities. (Courtesy of Rowing Canada Aviron)

Free multi-sport para program launching for Greater Victoria youth with disabilities

Those aged 15 to 25 can try out 7 different para-sports beginning in February

A participant takes part in para-rowing with Rowing Canada. It’s one of seven para-sports being offered in a new free program for Greater Victoria youth with disabilities. (Courtesy of Rowing Canada Aviron)
Captain Riley Braun weaves his way past multiple defenders as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Lake Cowichan Kraken 8-1 Friday night at North Saanich Panorama Recreation Centre. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Lake Cowichan Kraken, Saanich Predators fall victim to Peninsula Panthers

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey team won weekend games 8-1 and 4-2

Captain Riley Braun weaves his way past multiple defenders as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Lake Cowichan Kraken 8-1 Friday night at North Saanich Panorama Recreation Centre. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)

BC’s first ever Major League Rugby Match coming to Langford

10 Canadian national teamers on Toronto squad; Arrows play reigning champ L.A. on Feb. 11

Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)
Victoria Grizzlies forward Connor Eddy brought victory in overtime for the team and earned a hat trick in the process Friday against the Powell River Kings. (Photo Courtesy of Victoria Grizzlies/Twitter)

Hat trick pushes Victoria Grizzlies to victory over Powell River Kings

Connor Eddy scored his third and the game-winner just 19 seconds into overtime

Victoria Grizzlies forward Connor Eddy brought victory in overtime for the team and earned a hat trick in the process Friday against the Powell River Kings. (Photo Courtesy of Victoria Grizzlies/Twitter)
The Victoria Royals are set to face off against the Rockets in Kelowna this weekend as they resume the Western Hockey League season. The Royals paused all hockey operations Jan. 7 due to players and staff entering COVID protocols. (Photo by Paige Bednorz/Kelowna Rockets)

Victoria Royals to resume WHL play on the road this weekend

Team paused its season on Jan. 7 due to players and staff entering COVID protocols

The Victoria Royals are set to face off against the Rockets in Kelowna this weekend as they resume the Western Hockey League season. The Royals paused all hockey operations Jan. 7 due to players and staff entering COVID protocols. (Photo by Paige Bednorz/Kelowna Rockets)
Ava-Marie Jaeger, 11, finished first all-around in tryouts for the Vancouver Island Zone 6 artistic gymnastics team and will compete in the BC Winter Games in Vernon in February. (Photo courtesy Sheila Jaeger)

VIDEO: 11-year-old Langford gymnast leads Island team into the 2022 BC Winter Games

Ava-Marie Jaeger finished first all-around in Vancouver Island Zone 6 tryouts

Ava-Marie Jaeger, 11, finished first all-around in tryouts for the Vancouver Island Zone 6 artistic gymnastics team and will compete in the BC Winter Games in Vernon in February. (Photo courtesy Sheila Jaeger)
Peninsula Panthers and Victoria Cougars players link arms around centre ice for a moment of silence in memory of Panthers player Grant Gilbertson Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Peninsula Panthers honour fallen teammate as VIJHL season moves forward

Panthers drop first game back 5-2 after the death of player

Peninsula Panthers and Victoria Cougars players link arms around centre ice for a moment of silence in memory of Panthers player Grant Gilbertson Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Of the top 100 golf professionals in B.C. last year, 14 work Greater Victoria greens, nine of them at the Victoria Golf Club in Oak Bay. (Victoria Golf Club/Facebook)

14 of top 100 golf pros in the province work Greater Victoria greens

Victoria Golf Club, Highland Pacific, Royal Colwood, Cordova Bay boast top teaching pros

Of the top 100 golf professionals in B.C. last year, 14 work Greater Victoria greens, nine of them at the Victoria Golf Club in Oak Bay. (Victoria Golf Club/Facebook)
The Saanich Lacrosse Association has created affordable registration for players in its mini-tyke division (age five and six) to create greater accessibility to the sport for newcomers and families in financial need. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stuart)

Saanich lacrosse club opens affordable registration to spur participation

$46 insurance fee the lone cost for five and six year old players

The Saanich Lacrosse Association has created affordable registration for players in its mini-tyke division (age five and six) to create greater accessibility to the sport for newcomers and families in financial need. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stuart)
The Victoria Royals have signed 15-year-old goalie prospect Jayden Kraus. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals sign young netminder out of Saskatchewan

Royals picked 15-year-old Jayden Kraus 46th overall in 2021 WHL Prospects Draft

The Victoria Royals have signed 15-year-old goalie prospect Jayden Kraus. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Royals)
Evan Patrician (12) and the Victoria Royals, in action in November against the Vancouver Giants, are on pause for the Western Hockey League season. The Royals announced Friday (Jan. 7) their upcoming games against Spokane Jan. 11 and 12 are cancelled due to players and staff being added to the WHL’s COVID protocols list. (Gary Ahuja, Langley Events Centre/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Victoria Royals pause WHL activities season due to COVID protocols

Team said multiple players, staff are displaying symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19

Evan Patrician (12) and the Victoria Royals, in action in November against the Vancouver Giants, are on pause for the Western Hockey League season. The Royals announced Friday (Jan. 7) their upcoming games against Spokane Jan. 11 and 12 are cancelled due to players and staff being added to the WHL’s COVID protocols list. (Gary Ahuja, Langley Events Centre/Special to Langley Advance Times)
The Saanich Predators of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League paused practice this week and cancelled a Jan. 7 home game against the Westshore Wolves due to COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Predators cancel Friday game out of precaution around COVID-19

Many players from hockey team sick this week; only one positive COVID test result received

The Saanich Predators of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League paused practice this week and cancelled a Jan. 7 home game against the Westshore Wolves due to COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb (inset) has been part of the junior ‘A’ league since 2018. (Garrett James photo)

Overcoming COVID-19, other barriers ‘a wild ride’ says BCHL commissioner

Chris Hebb has dealt with a pandemic, cancelled games and travel issues since joining league

BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb (inset) has been part of the junior ‘A’ league since 2018. (Garrett James photo)
The EMCS Wolverines are facing many challenges as they make their way through the high school basketball season. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke high school basketball coach committing to future

Cancellation of tournaments stresses schedule, says Trevor Bligh

The EMCS Wolverines are facing many challenges as they make their way through the high school basketball season. (File - Sooke News Mirror)