The rivalry gets its annual moment in the spotlight this weekend as Kamloops United FC makes the trip to Nanaimo for Leg 1 of the 3rd Annual Reid Davidson Charity Shield, and with the men's and women's sides both yet to register a point in 2025, Saturday represents exactly the kind of occasion this club needs to turn things around.
The Charity Shield was established to honour Reid Davidson, a Kamloops Youth Soccer alumnus who went on to build his life and career in Nanaimo. What began as a meaningful tribute has quickly grown into one of the more anticipated fixtures on the BC Premier League calendar, bringing a cup tie atmosphere to a league format. Nanaimo lifted the inaugural Shield, but KUFC answered last year in emphatic fashion, claiming the club's first piece of silverware in their League1 BC (BCPL) history across the two-legged tie. That made Kamloops the defending champions heading into this edition, and defending is exactly what this group will need to prove it can do.
Both the men's and women's sides enter Saturday sitting at 0-2 on the BC Premier League season. Points have been hard to come by, and this Shield opener doubles as a must-respond moment for a club that knows what it means to win this particular trophy. Cup football has a way of cutting through a rough patch of league form, and with the two-legged format giving Kamloops a second bite at Hillside Stadium on July 5th, Saturday is about keeping the tie very much alive.
Beyond the Shield itself, there is something to be said for what a result in Nanaimo could do for the confidence of both squads. A strong road showing, or even a tight loss that keeps the aggregate tie within reach, sets up what could be a defining home occasion to close out the season. For two groups still searching for their first wins of 2026, a Shield run is exactly the kind of catalyst this club needs right now.
Leg 1 of the Reid Davidson Charity Shield goes Saturday in Nanaimo. Leg 2 returns to Hillside Stadium on July 5th.