Ball hockey tourney hits rinks next week
Next week promises to be a busy one for kids who chase around a little orange ball inside a hockey rink.
The Canada Ball Hockey Association’s Western Challenge Cup will run from July 11-15 at arenas around Greater Victoria.
Teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. will compete in championship tournaments ranging from U-11 to U-19 age groups.
The action will take place at Archie Browning Sports Centre, Panorama Recreation Centre, Naden Arena and Eagleridge Recreation Centre in Langford.
The host Victoria Vipers will be represented in all divisions.
For information and the full schedule, see wccballhockey.com.
O’Kell qualifies for SCAA run-offs
It wasn’t pretty, but Victoria race car driver Bill O’Kell got the job done last weekend.
At Sonoma Raceway in California, Okell was looking for strong finishes in the final Sports Car Club of America Western Conference Majors Tour races to qualify for the season-ending SCAA run-offs in late October.
His results weren’t strong, but they were enough. Okell finished fifth in the opening race, after a collision with Ben Valentine of Los Angeles left Okell’s Huffaker Engineering’s Austin Healey with a bent rear axle. The second race was a slightly better fourth-place finish, and the two combined were just enough to give Okell a spot in this fall’s national championships, also at Sonoma Raceway.
Reaume keeps on trucking on circuit
Victoria’s Josh Reaume continues his climb up the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ladder.
After starting in the 22nd spot at last weekend’s Overton’s 225 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, Reaume would finish one spot better, driving his Reaume Bros. Racing Colonial Countertops Chevrolet Silverado to a 21stplace finish.
Next up for Reaume is next week’s stop at Kentucky Speedway.
B.C. women gear for rugby battles
B.C. has dipped into Island talent to form an impressive team for the Canadian U-20 Women’s Rugby Championship in Saskatoon.
Five players from the Island will sport B.C. colours at the XVs event, scheduled for July 16-22 in the Saskatchewan city.
Former national junior team player Shaye Tudor, who plays for the University of Victoria Vikes, leads the way for the Island contingent.
Louise Eriksson of Denman Island and Erin Geddie, a University of Alberta Panda from Victoria, Duncan’s Syan Johnson and Sooke’s Rori Wood round out the Island lineup.
B.C. opens play in Saskatoon on July 16 against Ontario Blue.