Local Sports

Victoria’s Pacific FC has promoted James Merriman as head coach of the Canadian Premier League club. (Photo courtesy Pacific FC)

Nanaimo soccer coach promoted to lead Victoria’s Pacific FC

James Merriman will coach defending Canadian Premier League champions

The Nanaimo Track and Field Club is putting together a bid seeking the 2024 Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic and Paralympic trials. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo supporting bid to host 2024 track and field nationals

Event would also serve as Olympic and Paralympic trials

Nanaimo Clippers forward Kai Daniells gets past two Langley Rivermen opponents during a rush in the first period of a game Friday, Jan. 14, at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Clippers make trade deadline moves to contend in Coastal Conference

Team scheduled to play three games in five days starting Wednesday, Jan. 19, on the road

Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers basketball player Jackson Tonsi set a school record with 61 points in a 95-75 road win at Duncan Christian School on Thursday, Jan. 13. (Photos submitted)

Nanaimo basketball player smashes his school’s record with 61 points

Jackson Tonsi of Nanaimo Christian School leads team to 95-75 win

Nanaimo Christian School Trail Blazers basketball player Jackson Tonsi set a school record with 61 points in a 95-75 road win at Duncan Christian School on Thursday, Jan. 13. (Photos submitted)
The Nanaimo Clippers have had two more games postposed after the team entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols on Saturday, Jan. 8. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Clippers enter league’s COVID-19 protocols, postpone another game

Clippers suspending all team activities for five days

The Nanaimo Clippers have had two more games postposed after the team entered the league’s COVID-19 protocols on Saturday, Jan. 8. (News Bulletin file photo)
Nanaimo’s Leila Sadeghi won the teen, novice, open and overall categories in the bikini division of Canadian Physique Alliance regionals at the Vancouver Pro-Am last month. (Twixpix Photography)

Nanaimo woman wins four titles at bodybuilding regionals

Leila Sadeghi, 19, sweeps her classes in bikini division at Vancouver Pro-Am

Nanaimo’s Leila Sadeghi won the teen, novice, open and overall categories in the bikini division of Canadian Physique Alliance regionals at the Vancouver Pro-Am last month. (Twixpix Photography)
The Nanaimo NightOwls are building their roster for the coming West Coast League baseball season. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo NightOwls building their first roster

Baseball team announced a dozen player signings in December

The Nanaimo NightOwls are building their roster for the coming West Coast League baseball season. (News Bulletin file photo)
An article about former Nanaimo Clippers star Sheldon Rempal signing with the Vancouver Canucks organization was the News Bulletin’s most-clicked sports story in 2021. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo News Bulletin’s top 10 most-read sports stories of 2021

Fans rooting for former Clippers star Sheldon Rempal, who joined the Vancouver Canucks organization

An article about former Nanaimo Clippers star Sheldon Rempal signing with the Vancouver Canucks organization was the News Bulletin’s most-clicked sports story in 2021. (News Bulletin file photo)
Nanaimo Clippers forward Tristan Fraser looks to take the puck toward the net during a game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Dec. 17 at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Clippers close to the top of their conference at holiday break

Nanaimo three points out of first place in BCHL’s Coastal Conference

Nanaimo Clippers forward Tristan Fraser looks to take the puck toward the net during a game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Dec. 17 at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Santa Claus meets seven-year-old Madisyn Stewart at a Skate With Santa event hosted by the City of Nanaimo at the Nanaimo Ice Centre on Dec. 16. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

’Tis the week before Christmas…

Columnist Ian Thorpe presents his 40th annual sports-themed Christmas poem

  • Dec 22, 2021
Santa Claus meets seven-year-old Madisyn Stewart at a Skate With Santa event hosted by the City of Nanaimo at the Nanaimo Ice Centre on Dec. 16. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Nanaimo United players celebrate a last-minute goal against Lakehill FC in Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 1 action Friday, Dec. 10, at Merle Logan Field. (Mike Brown image)

Nanaimo United defeats previously unbeaten foe in Div. 1 soccer action

Nanaimo scores tie-breaking goal in 90th minute to edge Lakehill by 3-2 score

Nanaimo United players celebrate a last-minute goal against Lakehill FC in Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 1 action Friday, Dec. 10, at Merle Logan Field. (Mike Brown image)
BCHL

Forty BCHL stars to skate in Top Prospects Game

The all-star showcase will be part of the junior A league’s 60th anniversary weekend in January

BCHL
Nanaimo Clippers player Jérémie Payant, left, tries to get the puck away from Alberni Valley Bulldogs opponent Nicholas Beneteau during Sunday’s BCHL game at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Clippers win three games in three nights

BCHL team climbs to one point out of first in conference standings

Nanaimo Clippers player Jérémie Payant, left, tries to get the puck away from Alberni Valley Bulldogs opponent Nicholas Beneteau during Sunday’s BCHL game at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
The Riverside Rapids take a championship selfie after winning the senior AAAA girls’ B.C. final at Dover Bay Secondary School on Saturday, Dec. 11. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Riverside wins senior AAAA girls’ provincial volleyball championship in Nanaimo

Riverside beats South Delta in five sets, NDSS places fourth

The Riverside Rapids take a championship selfie after winning the senior AAAA girls’ B.C. final at Dover Bay Secondary School on Saturday, Dec. 11. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Dover Bay Dolphins setter Kaitlyn Carlson bumps the ball during a match at provincial championships Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Dover Bay Secondary School gym. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Volleyball provincials served up at Nanaimo gyms

Dover Bay Dolphins hosting senior AAAA girls’ B.C. championships Dec. 9-11

Dover Bay Dolphins setter Kaitlyn Carlson bumps the ball during a match at provincial championships Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Dover Bay Secondary School gym. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
BCHL

BCHL adopts use of Sporfie video review system

The junior A league experimented with the system at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack in October

BCHL
Nanaimo Clippers forward Charles Tardif directs a puck toward Surrey Eagles goalie Max Prazma during Sunday’s BCHL game at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Clippers will be hoping for a win and lots of toys

Junior A hockey team hosting ‘Stuff the Bus’ initiative Dec. 10

Nanaimo Clippers forward Charles Tardif directs a puck toward Surrey Eagles goalie Max Prazma during Sunday’s BCHL game at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
The John Barsby Bulldogs AA junior varsity team celebrates winning the Coastal championship at the Subway Bowl at B.C. Place on Saturday, Dec. 4. (B.C. High School Football image)

Barsby Bulldogs juniors end season with championship at Subway Bowl

John Barsby defeats Carson Graham 34-28 in AA junior varsity Coastal final

The John Barsby Bulldogs AA junior varsity team celebrates winning the Coastal championship at the Subway Bowl at B.C. Place on Saturday, Dec. 4. (B.C. High School Football image)
BCHL

BCHL taking out-of-conference games off the schedule for rest of 2021-22 season

The league is shifting to regional matchups with travel still hindered province wide

BCHL
Liiza Hall goes for a pin during past Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling action in Nanaimo. Hall is slated to face Haviko at the VIPW Blood Runs Cold card Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Snuneymuxw gym. (News Bulletin file photo)

Pro wrestling action will fill Snuneymuxw gym

Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling event happens Saturday, Dec. 4

Liiza Hall goes for a pin during past Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling action in Nanaimo. Hall is slated to face Haviko at the VIPW Blood Runs Cold card Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Snuneymuxw gym. (News Bulletin file photo)