CapU Blues Aiming High in 2025–26

It’s the early days of the university sports calendar, and optimism abounds for the Capilano Blues and the athletics and recreation department.

Novell Thomas is the department’s new director. While learning the names, faces and functions of the folks around him, he’s been able to evaluate each varsity team’s prospects and looks forward to seeing the athletes in action.

“I love sport and it’s been a big part of my development and life, so this time of year is always exciting for me,” says Thomas, who joined CapU Aug. 25 from Simon Fraser University, where he was director of operations in SFU’s athletics and recreation department.

“The coaches here are excited and optimistic for their seasons, so naturally, I am too. I hope our teams will continue to reach new heights and have a banner year.”

For women’s soccer, the Blues capped last season with a bronze medal as hosts of the 2024 CCAA National Championship at CapU Squamish. Last year’s leading scorer Sophie Pather is back, ready to offer her versatility, while fellow veteran Isabella Bolognese brings needed grit to the back line.

New head coach Charlotte Ring, a native of Germany who was a Blues assistant coach last season, thinks last year’s lessons will give the team a boost.

“Our experience at nationals last year, playing against the best teams in Canada, is going to be a big help to our team because we had to persevere to earn the bronze,” says Ring. “Getting to know the team last year as an assistant coach has helped get prepared for this season.”

“I think we can build on what we accomplished.”

On the men’s side of the soccer pitch, the Blues start their third season under Steve Millar, who has seen his team improve each of the last two seasons, returning to the PACWEST playoffs last year for the first time since 2019.

Team captain Tommy Millar, Steve’s son, has been a conference all-star each of the last two seasons and will again be relied upon to set the tone and lead the attack as he moves to forward from midfield.

“Our goal is to go to nationals, but we have to get through our regular season and the playoffs first,” notes Tommy. “We’ve got a lot of new key players coming in, and a lot of our guys that are coming back are just a bit older now, so it’s going to make us that much better.”

“I think pretty much anything we set our sights on is possible.”

Blues indoor sports get started in October with the basketball home opener on Halloween against Camosun College and the volleyball home opener Nov. 7, also against Camosun.

Men’s basketball enters the 2025-26 campaign as the defending PACWEST champions. They claimed the title on home court on March 1 with a thrilling upset win over Vancouver Island University.

Under new head coach TJ Klim, the Blues will count on veteran 6-foot-4 guard and two-time conference all-star Kash Lang as well as 6-foot-11 centre Zach Klim.

For the Blues hardwood women, international talent will be key with Czech product Barcha Hnizdilova and Australian import Mia Parkin coming off a Rookie of the Year season. Hnizdilova is entering her third year after a summer spent with her home country’s U20 national team, while Parkin played semi-professional hoops in her home city of Adelaide.

Local North Vancouver product Maddy Coffin goes into her final Blues season aiming to help the team get back to CCAA nationals for the first time since 2018.

Blues women’s volleyball has steadily climbed the PACWEST over the last two seasons. Boasting a roster laden with proven fifth-year athletes, including two-time PACWEST all-star and CCAA Academic All-Canadian Nnya Mbaoma, there is a legitimate chance to win their way to CCAA nationals.

“We have seven graduating players this year, including myself, so I think we can achieve a lot,” says Mbaoma. “We’ve gone through a lot together, and we’re motivated to make this season our best.”

For the men, first-year head coach Irvan Brar, an assistant on last year’s team, has remade the roster with transfers including Luke Tiegen and Shub Wander.

At the same time, talent from Down Under will feature prominently with New Zealand imports Kameo Wagner and Cameron Douglas joining returning outside hitter and Australian Xavier Masztak, who was a second-team all-star last season.

The Blues also achieved a milestone year in the classroom in 2024-25, with a CapU record nine student-athletes earning CCAA Academic All-Canadian status, awarded to players named conference All-Stars in their sport while maintaining a grade-point average of 3.50 or above.

There were also 43 Blues earning CCAA National Scholar status for keeping a 3.50-plus GPA for the academic year.

The bar was set high last season, especially in the classroom, giving this year’s Blues a lofty spot to aim for but coaches and players are preparing to meet expectations with preparation.