Kamloops Raiders’ women reach B.C. final, aim to end 13-year provincial championship drought

Kamloops will square off against Capilano of North Vancouver in the women’s Division 1 provincial title tilt on Saturday (May 9) in South Surrey.

“A lot of the women, they’ve been playing for longer than I’ve been alive. Don’t tell them I said that,” Chambers said with a laugh. “To be able to win something like this and not only for themselves, but for all of the women who played before them and everyone who worked so hard to make the club what it is today, it would mean so much to all of us.”

Longtime Raiders’ stalwart Jess Oldenburger noted four players who appear in a photo of the 2013 championship-winning team remain with the squad.

The Kamloops women have not reached a B.C. final since 2014.

Mel Davies, happy to play anywhere in the backs, said avoiding costly penalties in the final will be key, along with handling the pressure that comes along with chasing such a meaningful victory.

“We had a session on dealing with that and how different people deal with that differently,” Davies said. “Some people need to come down and some people need to bring themselves up based on levels before games. I think we’ve all taken different things away from that and developed our own strategies.”

The Raiders placed second in league regular-season standings, with a record of 11 wins, one loss and one tie.

One of those victories and the tie came against Capilano, which placed third with a record of 8-1-4.

Adding to the allure of the weekend is the potential for a club double.

The Raiders will square off against the Kelowna Crows for the Division 2 men’s B.C. title on Saturday at South Surrey Athletic Park.

“I can just imagine what that bus ride’s going to be like on the way home when we inevitably, hopefully, both win,” Chambers said. “A double championship would be everything we’ve hoped for all season and all the hard work would culminate to what we’ve been looking for.”

CFJC will have a story on the Kamloops men on Thursday.

The finals will be livestreamed on the B.C. Rugby YouTube page.

by Marty Hastings

Kamloops Raiders’ women reach B.C. final, aim to end 13-year provincial championship drought

Our Community