This past 2015/16 season the U16 Riptide girls worked hard to win a berth at the BC provincial games.
In doing so, they also qualified to play in the 63rd BC Coastal Cup 2016 championship finals. In order to reach the finals they had to win their way into the tournament, and then keep winning. On April 9 they beat North Shore, 1-0, and on April 16, they defeated the Vancouver Football Club by the same score. April 30, they traveled by school bus with a group of ardent supporters all the way to the coastal city of Aldergrove to play against the West Vancouver Rangers.
Once again, the girls pulled together, and worked hard as a team to achieve gold, and to bring the Coastal Cup home to the Comox Valley. Although the team is based in the Valley, its members are girls from Port Hardy, Campbell River, Powell River and the Comox Valley, with a sub for this game from Nanaimo. West Vancouver was a strong team, but goalie Avarie (CV) gave a top performance and managed a shut-out. Alongside her, as defence, were Maddy (CR), Toni (CV), Tommylia (CR), Jodi (N), Jill (CV) and Jenna (CV). Strong in midfield were Olivia (CV), Sophia (PR), Elysa (CV), Emily (CV) scoring the first goal, Rowan (CV), Emma (CR) and Breanna (CV). Scoring the second goal was Carsyn (PR), working with the other forwards Kaleigh (PH) and Cameron (CV). Tanisha (CR) was unable to play due to an injury.
The weather was great, the traffic terrible, but the cheers on the ferry were unmistakably those of some very happy girls, and proud supporters.
Thanks again to coaches Scott Harris and Ernie Selentin, and manager Johanne Moreau for getting it all organized.
