It’s a busy weekend on the local rugby pitch.At the Westshore Velodrome, the Westshore premier women open play against Bayside with an 11:30 a.m. kick-off Saturday, March 19, while the Westshore Div. 2 women host United Div. 2.
The Westshore 1 Div. 1 men’s rugby team follows, hosting the Port Alberni Black Sheep Saturday at 1 p.m. at the velodrome. Across town, the Westshore 2 Div. 1 team also plays Saturday, facing the UVic Saxons at 11:30 a.m. at Wallace Field.
Local soccer championships continue this week with Westcastle Div. 1 facing Bays Liquor Plus in the semifinal of the Jackson Cup. Kick-off is at 8:30 p.m. tonight (March 18) at the University of Victoria’s turf No. 3.
The Juan de Fuca Division 3B men’s soccer team also competes in the semifinals of the 2016 George Pearkes Cup against the Vic West Casuals on the Royal Bay Turf, Sunday, March 20 at 7 p.m.
Looking forward to lacrosse season, the Victoria Shamrocks join McDonald’s restaurants in the Westshore, Esquimalt and Sooke areas to bring a little green to their fans. Until March 21 with every purchase of a “Shamrocks Shake” at any of five McDonald’s locations, you’ll receive an entry to win one of five Victoria Shamrocks jerseys.
In youth lacrosse, the Juan de Fuca Whalers’ regular registration deadline is March 31. For more information and to register visit www.jdflacrosse.com.
Local runners are lacing up for the second event in the MEC Victoria race series, “The Pace Setter,” 5K/10K on Sunday, March 27. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and both routes start and finish at the main beach of Thetis Lake Regional Park. For details, see http://events.mec.ca.
The Westshore Rebels football organization is planning a gala fundraiser on May 13 at the Olympic View Golf Course to support scholarships and player development efforts. In addition to dinner, an auction, prizes and give-aways, high-profile speakers include 2015 Grey Cup champions Mike Reilly and Brian Ramsay of the Edmonton Eskimos, 2015 CFL Defensive Player of the Year Adam Bighill of the BC Lions, CFL Hall of Famer Dave Cutler, sports reporter Farhan Lalji, and former Rebel and BC Lions centre Tim O’Neill. CFAX 1070 broadcaster Steve Duffy will handle MC duties and Langford Mayor Stew Young will be the auctioneer for the event. Single tickets are $99, or purchase a table of eight for $750 at www.westshorerebels.ca.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 11 student at Mt. Douglas High School. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.