Sports

Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association held a special ceremony last month with all the teams to mark the 30th anniversary of Rotary Park, the association’s current home. The ceremony, held April 9, saw former North Saanich mayor and former Sidney councillor Ted Daly throw the ceremonial first pitch. (Courtesy Kyle Robinson Photography)

Community spirit hits a home run at North Saanich’s Rotary Park

Many volunteers consider the facility a second home

Iranian soccer player Omid Nor Afkan carries his national flag as he celebrates qualifying for 2022 World Cup after defeating Iraq, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 27, 2022. Canada is set to host Iran in a friendly match in Vancouver on June 5, but controversy about the game has swirled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Vahid Salemi

Trudeau says CBSA will decide whether Iran soccer team can enter Canada

Prime minister reiterated how he thinks scheduled World Cup tuneup game in Vancouver was a bad idea

Canada’s Brock Webster runs for his second try against Scotland during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian women finish sixth in Toulouse in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series finale

The Canadian men tied for 15th after falling 27-7 to Wales

Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court for sentencing on two sexual assault convictions in Vancouver, B.C., on July 26, 2012. Boden is scheduled to be sentenced today for the murder of a woman in 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

UPDATED: Former CFL wide receiver’s sentencing rescheduled in B.C. for 2009 murder

Joshua Boden played for the B.C. Lions in 2007 but was released by the team in 2008

Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court for sentencing on two sexual assault convictions in Vancouver, B.C., on July 26, 2012. Boden is scheduled to be sentenced today for the murder of a woman in 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

CFL players report to work after rejecting tentative agreement

Source: CFL has tabled a new offer to the players that reportedly included ratification bonus

CFL football seen during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opening day training camp at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, May 19, 2022. CFL players have rejected the new collective bargaining agreement with the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 5, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Haskins was legally drunk and had taken drugs before he was fatally struck by a dump truck while walking on a Florida interstate highway last month, an autopsy report released Monday, May 23, 2022, concluded. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Autopsy: Steelers QB Haskins was drunk when fatally struck

Quarterback hit by dump truck on Florida highway

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins warms up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 5, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Haskins was legally drunk and had taken drugs before he was fatally struck by a dump truck while walking on a Florida interstate highway last month, an autopsy report released Monday, May 23, 2022, concluded. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
John Korobanik is seen here on May 18 at the Nelson and District Community Complex during the launch of his book Visionary: The Ernie Gare Story. Photo: Tyler Harper

New book profiles Nelson man behind Canada’s first student-athlete scholarship

Ernie Gare was athletic director at the former Notre Dame University

John Korobanik is seen here on May 18 at the Nelson and District Community Complex during the launch of his book Visionary: The Ernie Gare Story. Photo: Tyler Harper
Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane skates amongst hats thrown onto the ice after his hat-trick during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Sunday, May 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Kane nets hat trick as Oilers thump Flames 4-1 to take 2-1 playoff series lead

Connor McDavid has three assists for Edmonton in key win

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane skates amongst hats thrown onto the ice after his hat-trick during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Sunday, May 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alejandro Diaz hurdles a challenge from York United’s Diyaeddine Abzi during the Pacific FC versus York United match at Starlight Stadium on May 20, 2022. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)

Pacific FC remain top despite dropped points versus York

The home team could not break down York’s stout defence in Langford

Alejandro Diaz hurdles a challenge from York United’s Diyaeddine Abzi during the Pacific FC versus York United match at Starlight Stadium on May 20, 2022. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)
Amesbury pre-game with the Tulsa Oilers. (Special to The News)

VIDEO: B.C. enforcer wins ‘King of the Rink’ battle

Maple Ridge’s Daniel Amesbury won competition with a TKO

Amesbury pre-game with the Tulsa Oilers. (Special to The News)
Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith, left, lets in a goal as Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm looks on during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Flames looking for ‘foundation’ after Game 2 loss: ‘We’re playing into their hands’

Calgary could be in big trouble against its high-flying provincial rival

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith, left, lets in a goal as Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm looks on during first period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, right, scores on Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Battle of Alberta deadlocked after Oilers dump Flames 5-3 to even playoff series

Draisaitl, Keith have 3 points apiece for Edmonton; Game 3 goes Sunday

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, right, scores on Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom during second period NHL second round playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Saanich driver Bill Okell rolls into the pits after winning the sprint race at the Sports Car Club of America US Majors Tour event at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway on May 14. (Photo by Leigh Urquhart)

Saanich racer moves up in national standings, despite more mechanical woes

Bill Okell drives to a first and second in SCCA races in Portland

Saanich driver Bill Okell rolls into the pits after winning the sprint race at the Sports Car Club of America US Majors Tour event at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway on May 14. (Photo by Leigh Urquhart)
Boardworks diver and 2020 Tokyo Olympian for Canada, Celina Toth is pictured during the Olympic trials. She is among the local athletes competing in the 2022 Summer National Diving Championships at Saanich Commonwealth Place pool May 27 to 29. (Photo courtesy of Boardworks)

Canadian Olympian glad to be home, diving in front of family, friends in Saanich

Past year tumultuous for Celina Toth, at 30 the ‘mom’ on the Boardworks crew

Boardworks diver and 2020 Tokyo Olympian for Canada, Celina Toth is pictured during the Olympic trials. She is among the local athletes competing in the 2022 Summer National Diving Championships at Saanich Commonwealth Place pool May 27 to 29. (Photo courtesy of Boardworks)
Doug Allin is the head coach for the Canadian Men’s U23 softball team, and an assistant coach for the men’s national team too. Contributed photo

Vancouver Island native leading Canada’s U23 softball program

Doug Allin helped Team Canada win Silver at Pan Am tourney in Argentina

Doug Allin is the head coach for the Canadian Men’s U23 softball team, and an assistant coach for the men’s national team too. Contributed photo
Former Brazilian player Kaká, left, and former Spanish player Iker Casillas present the Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy during the Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

FIFA plans to announce 2026 World Cup sites on June 16

Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto all in the running to host games

Former Brazilian player Kaká, left, and former Spanish player Iker Casillas present the Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy during the Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Calgary Flames’ Joel Otto (left) jousts with Edmonton Oilers’ Steve Smith during NHL playoff action in Calgary, Apr.16, 1991. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE-Mike Ridewood)

‘A lot of hate’: Oilers, Flames alumni look back at last playoff Battle of Alberta

‘The most physical, aggressive, emotional series I’ve ever been part of’

Calgary Flames’ Joel Otto (left) jousts with Edmonton Oilers’ Steve Smith during NHL playoff action in Calgary, Apr.16, 1991. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE-Mike Ridewood)
The Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association regularly uses the dedicated pickleball courts off Birch Road in North Saanich, but expressed frustration with the pace of the search for other purpose-built facilities. (Black Press Media File)

North Saanich’s Blue Heron Park could host pickleball courts

Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association repeats call for dedicated facilities

The Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association regularly uses the dedicated pickleball courts off Birch Road in North Saanich, but expressed frustration with the pace of the search for other purpose-built facilities. (Black Press Media File)
The Subaru Ironman 70.3 Victoria is taking place on May 29 in Greater Victoria with much of the cycling course on the Saanich Peninsula. (Black Press Media file photo)

Subaru Ironman 70.3 Victoria triathlon showcases Saanich Peninsula

Close to 2,300 athletes set to compete in first edition of race since 2019

The Subaru Ironman 70.3 Victoria is taking place on May 29 in Greater Victoria with much of the cycling course on the Saanich Peninsula. (Black Press Media file photo)
West Coast Wonder Women founder Ellen Connor, seen here coaching members of the Sooke Boxing Club, is pumped about the return of WCWW Tournament May 20-22 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Wonder Women boxing tournament returns to Sooke this weekend

80 boxer from across North America will compete

West Coast Wonder Women founder Ellen Connor, seen here coaching members of the Sooke Boxing Club, is pumped about the return of WCWW Tournament May 20-22 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)