With spring break now just a memory, high school spring sports ramp up.
The high school badminton season opens Tuesday, April 5 when Glenlyon Norfolk School heads to St. Andrews to tip off the first day of league play. Later in the week, GNS hosts Reynolds and Oak Bay hosts Mt. Doug Thursday, April 7. All games start at 3:45 p.m.
From one court to another, AAA and AA tennis also starts this week with GNS facing Lambrick at Carnarvon at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 and St. Michaels University School taking on Oak Bay in an exhibition match at Henderson at 3:30 p.m.
On the high school rugby pitch, the Oak Bay junior boys visit Belmont at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 6.
The GNS senior boys welcome Belmont at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, April 7 while Oak Bay hosts SMUS at 3:45 p.m.
The Bays United Div. 1 men are coming off a hard-fought semi-final win to advance to the Jackson Cup finals against long-time rivals Cowichan FC this Sunday, April 3. Come cheer on the Bays at Royal Athletic Park, with kick-off at 2:30 p.m.
Oak Bay rugby returns to the pitch when the Div. 3 men host Westshore at Windsor Park at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. After the Premier men return from this weekend’s trip to Seattle, they host the University of BC Thunderbirds at Windsor Park at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, April 9.
The University of Victoria men’s rugby team has a single home game this week, hosting Vancouver Capilanos at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, April 2 on Wallace Field. Looking ahead, the Vikes return to Vancouver to take on the Rowers April 9.
The Henderson Park-based Victoria Mariners continue pre-season play this week, hosting Nanaimo at Layritz Field on Saturday, April 2 before hitting the road to Parksville Sunday, April 3 to take on the Royals. The local boys head to the Best of the West tournament in Kamloops April 7 to 10.
Pacific Athletics and Victoria Track and Field Club co-host one more “try it out” session at Centennial Stadium this Sunday, April 3. From 10 to 11 a.m. athletes looking to participate in a track club environment can get an idea of how it works, with coaches on hand to take the athletes through practices. For more information about the two clubs and their programs visit pacifathletics.ca and victrack.ca.
With the Victoria Cougars’ Island playoff run finished – with another Island title – the team hosts the Cyclone Taylor Cup this Wednesday, April 7 to 10 at Archie Browning Sports Centre. The event welcomes the champions from the KIJHL, PJHL and the VIJHL, plus Campbell River, competing for this prestigious award; the winners move on to the Keystone Cup.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 11 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net
