The next month promises to be a particularly good time to be a West Shore sports fan.
With the Victoria Shamrocks nearing what should be an exciting playoff run, the Westshore Rebels embarking on their quest to defend last year’s Cullen Cup and the Victoria Grizzlies and Westshore Wolves beginning to prepare for training camps, there’s no shortage of action to whet your sporting appetite.
The Shamrocks should remain the focus of the local sports scene for the forseeable future. Expected to contend for the right to host this year’s Mann Cup, the Western Lacrosse Association club hasn’t disappointed with a 10-5-1 record through 16 games, good enough for second place.
That record, which puts them just a point back of the leading Maple Ridge Burrards, has come largely without the contributions of Rhys Duch, last year’s league MVP.
Duch is expected to be available for the stretch run and the playoffs, and the addition of star goaltender Aaron Bold will give fans confidence that they can make it past their B.C. competition.
On the turf, the Westshore Rebels have three road games to start their B.C. Football Conference season beginning this weekend in Kelowna, meaning local fans will have to wait to welcome last year’s Canadian Bowl runner-up squad back to Westhills Stadium.
Key returnees such as quarterback Scott Borden and running back Trey Campbell have the coaching staff optimistic for a repeat. Challenges should come from the Okanagan Sun, the rival Vancouver Island Raiders and the Langley Rams, who the Rebels will host in their home opener on Aug. 19.
Hockey might seem like a long way away in the heat of summer, but both the Grizzlies and Wolves will host open training camps in less than a month’s time. Fans should keep an eye out for Jacson Alexander, a homegrown newcomer to the Grizzlies’ blueline who head coach Craig Didmon compared to former Grizzly and current Colorado Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie.
Whatever your favourite sport happens to be, the West Shore is spoiled with great options for fun (and inexpensive) family entertainment. And best of all, all teams are filled with Greater Victoria talent.
Game on!
