Those shopping for their Christmas tree can spread a little holiday cheer at the University of Victoria Vikes men’s and women’s cross country teams’ annual Christmas tree sale. The popular annual campaign supports one of UVic’s most successful varsity programs. Athletes will be at Centennial Stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 22. After the holidays, the Vikes will also host tree chipping at Centennial Stadium, scheduled for Jan. 2 to 3.
The Saanich Braves Junior B host the Kerry Park Islanders at Pearkes Rec Centre tonight, with the first face-off at 6:30 p.m.
In high school sports, the 2015-16 basketball season is underway. In senior girls action, Tuesday has the Spectrum Thunder hosting Belmont, and Claremont visiting Stelly’s, with both games tipping off at 5:45 p.m. Also Tuesday, Reynolds faces Oak Bay, with the game beginning at 7:30 p.m.
On the senior boys’ court, Claremont hosts Lambrick Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. while St. Michaels University School visits Belmont, also at 7:30 p.m.
The Vancouver Island Soccer League men’s teams are busy this Friday, when the Cordova Bay Bobcats host Vantreights MB at 6 p.m. at Lochside Turf, and Gorge FC 1 hosts Cowichan FC 1 at Gorge Field at 7 p.m. Bays United FC MC hosts the PLSC Lakers MB at UVic at 7:15 p.m., Lakehill FC 1 takes on Saanich Fusion Div. 1 at Braefoot Park at 8 p.m., and finally Lakehill United 2 heads to Sooke to face the Sooke Joggers 2 at 8:30 p.m.
The women’s pitch is even busier this weekend. The Lower Island Women’s Soccer League starts Premier play on Friday, when Gorge FC plays Prospect Lake at Layritz, and Victoria Athletics face the Castaway Wanderers FC at PISE at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Saanich Fusion FC hosts the Vancouver Island Wave at 8 p.m. at Tyndall Field.
Division 1 play is also busy, kicking off Friday when the Lakehill Reds host Vic West United at Braefoot at 6 p.m. Come Sunday, Bays United FC hosts Vic West FC at UVic at 7 p.m.
In Division 2 play all games take place on Sunday, when the Castaway Wanderers play the Victoria Athletics at UVic at 9 a.m., the Lakehill Reds take on Peninsula at Blue Heron Field at noon and Gorge FC plays Bays United FC at Henderson at 10 a.m.
Vancouver Island Women’s field hockey has a quieter weekend, playing all their games on Saturday. Starting the day at 9 a.m. the Renegades take on the Lynx 3, at 11 a.m. the Ravens play the Pirates, at 12:30 p.m. the Cardinals play the Sailors, at 2 p.m. the Lynx 2 play the Blue Jays, and at 3:30 p.m. the Flickers play Lynx 1.
In men’s field hockey action Sunday, the Rebels 2 start play at 10:30 a.m. taking on the Tigers, followed by the Rebels 1 and the Hawks at noon, and at 1:30 p.m. Oak Bay takes on the Mutineers.
Rugby fans, mark your calendars: Americas Rugby Championship has announced the dates and cities for the 2016 updated competition featuring six of North and South America’s top-ranked international rugby union teams. Canada will host Uruguay on Feb. 6 and Brazil on Feb. 20. Both games will be played at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
Colin Gall is a Saanich athlete, avid sports fan and Grade 11 student at Mt. Doug Secondary.
