SportsXpress Chatham/Kent Mar/Apr 2015

YOUR COMMUNITY SPORTS CONNECTION

Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

March/April 2015 Volume 2 Issue 2

Southpoint Sun Stars work ethic shows in EXCELLENT our...

AUDRA VANROBOYS is Athlete of the Month

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Owner/Publisher Isaak Fehr 226.996.9100 isaakf@sportsxpress.ca

General Manager Bernice Leslie 226.996.9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

Community Coach Rebecca Reimer 226.996.9100 rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca

letterfromthepublisher Hurry up Spring! In each edition we strived to highlight teams and people from all over Chatham-Kent. We are a locally owned and operated magazine publishing and distributing 10,000 copies in over 150 locations six times a year.

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We are all about the community: sports, players, athletes, families, volunteers, coaches, schools and fans.

We publish real life stories about people in our Chatham-Kent communities including all ages and skill levels. We invite anyone to submit stories, ideas, comments, articles or photos to us, so we can better serve our community.

We look forward to providing you with interesting reading throughout the entire year. Check us out online at www.chathamkent.sportsxpress.ca, on Facebook at Chatham Kent SportsXpress, and on Twitter @CKSportsxpress.

Thank you, Isaak Fehr, Owner/Publisher and Your Chatham-Kent SportsXpress Team!

teamprofiles

sportsfiles

Profiling community sports

Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams 05 | Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame 06 | Emma Gorski – Extraordinaire!

10 | Brendan Johnston 11 | Athlete of the Month – Audra Vanroboys 12 | Melinda’s School of Dance 13 | Maple City Squash Club 14 | Chatham-Kent Table Tennis 15 | Chatham is Hockeyville 17 | Breanne Nicholas Interview 24 | The Dresden Skating Club

07 | Wallaceburg Lacrosse 16 | CK Golden Hawks Girls Hockey 20 | Bleinheim Blades Celebrate 50 Years 23 | Southpoint Sun Stars Work Ethic Pays Off

fromthesidelines 18 | Gary Patterson – “That’s Sports!”

19 | 4-H 100 Years – Old But New Again!

26 | The W.I.S.H. Centre

health&fitness 06 | Biomechanics of a Golf Swing

sports@school

12 | The 411 on Tennis Elbow

09 | Torrie Handsor

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Chatham-Kent

Your Community

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Sports Connection

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MARCH/APRIL 2015

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress Read Us Online OWNER/PUBLISHER

Isaak Fehr 226.996.9100 isaakf@sportsxpress.ca

GENERAL MANAGER

Bernice Leslie 226.996.9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca

SPONSORS AND ADVERTISING

Bernice Leslie 226.996.9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca Rebecca Reimer 226.996.9100 rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca

EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Evan Novak Debbie Dunmall SportsXpress Team, Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame, Jordan Gorski, Jason Nantais, Steven Peach & Dr. Matthew McCabe, Gina Vanroboys, Dr. Brian Sides & Dr. Sarah Ytsma, Melinda Holmes, Maple City Dan Vanmoorsel, Rory Goulding, Rebecca Reimer, Ian Kennedy, Gary Patterson, Anne Verhallen, Bill Saunders, Sarah Pumfrey, Jaimie Ireland and other sports enthusiasts SportsXpress Team, Torrie Handsor, RJ Photography, Tim Corneet, Trish Gylnn, Rory Goulding, Wyatt Williams, Janet Campbell, Brad Hyatt and members of various local sports organizations and community sports fans

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Mailing Address 50 Ottawa St. South, Unit 110, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3S7 519.208.9302 or 1.877.588.8856 Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for the publication of photos and content prior to submission. All submissions may not be used. We may edit, publish, reproduce, distribute and archive submissions in any form or medium without any compensation. We are not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. Contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction or transmission of any article, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited. SportsXpress is published six times per year. For detailed circulation information, contact Sports Express Media Inc. Sports Express Media Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for Sports Express Media Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary.

However, the editors, contributors and Sports Express Media Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided. view & upload Photos • Video • Articles TM

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sportsfiles

Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame Written by SportsXpress & the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame This year’s Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony was held at the U.A.W. hall.

Catered by Mark Childs of The Black Goose, guests enjoyed an evening of delicious food, laughter and memories. It was a reminder that great things come from small towns, a legacy that our younger generation continues to carry on!

Shane Outridge

Shane Outridge – Ray Aarsson Scholarship A recent graduate of WDSS, he was heavily involved in Student Council, the Student Athletic Association, and the Tinman Triathalon Committee. He was on the Tartan swim team, making it to OFSSA four years in a row. Shane was well known as a good student, a role

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model even, capturing the Tartan spirit.

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Ian Leggat PGA Golfer/Speaker

Taylor McArthur

Taylor McArthur – Athlete of the Year.

Taylor is a member of the University of Windsor Lances 4x800 Mens Relay team that broke the Canadian record by winning Gold at the Canadian Interuniversity Games in Edmonton. His other accomplishments include 6th place in 1000 metres and 6th in 1500 metres, helping the Lancers to win the Mens OUA title.

Congrats on your award Taylor!

Ian Leggat PGA Golfer/Speaker

Wendy (Shaw) Ursel – Ladies’ Inductee Wendy has played every sport in the book. Her achievements include playing in the Lipstick Ladies hockey tournament in 1979-80, playing lacrosse and baseball for the K of P ladies, and many more. When she moved to Manitoba, she discovered her love for curling. She likes to say that if sports were happening, she was there. Congrats Wendy!

Wendy Shaw Ursel

Jason Fox with his brother Dr. Jeff Fox

Jason Fox – Coach of the Year Jason Fox says he got into coaching because of his brother. In 2014 he led the Wallaceburg Griffins Intermediate C Boy Lacrosse team to an Ontario Championship. Other achievements include two silver medals in lacrosse, one for the Intermediate boys and the other for the Intermediate girls. Keep up the good work Jason!

Thank you to Kim Thomas of Port Lambton for the photos.

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sportsfiles

Emma Gorski 13 year old extraordinaire!

Submitted by Jordan Gorski

13 year old Wallaceburg athlete Emma Gorski will be returning to Europe in May to play hockey at an international level.

Last year, Emma took to the international stage for the first time as a goaltender for the West Coast Selects hockey team.

As a team comprised of the best female hockey players from North America, Emma was selected for the roster by head coach Manon Rhéaume, an Olympic silver medalist and the first and only woman to ever play in a National Hockey League exhibition game.

“It feels really good to know that I was selected by such an accomplished athlete who is a goalie herself,” Emma said.

Emma has enjoyed her time playing for the Selects. “Playing for the West Coast

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

Selects has been such a great learning experience. Through these tournaments, I’ve gotten to work with amazing coaches and see so many different styles of hockey; it has given me a new perspective of the game.”

Last season the team travelled to Sherbrook, Chicago, Buffalo, and overseas to Sweden and Finland to compete against teams from all over the globe. This season they will travel to Bolzano, Italy to compete once again in the European tour.

While in Italy, the team will experience great hockey and a new culture through educational tours and events.

Emma is very appreciative of all the support she has received during her time with the Selects.

“My family and friends have given me lots of support and motivation; I would also like to thank everyone in the community who has sponsored, held fundraisers, and donated their time towards making all of this possible.”

She would like to extend a special thanks to the Wallaceburg radio station 99.1 and James Street Eatery for their outstanding support.

The young athlete is striving to earn herself a scholarship and hopes to one day represent Canada in the Olympic Games. She is excited to be returning to the Selects and can’t wait to “continue to show the world what small town girls are capable of.”

teamprofiles

Wallaceburg Lacrosse Submitted by Jason Nantais Wallaceburg Lacrosse consists of several different lacrosse programs that work together to help each other bring lacrosse programs to as many people as we possibly can in Chatham-Kent. The Wallaceburg Griffins play box lacrosse in the Ontario Lacrosse Leagues Zone 7, which consists of Wallaceburg, London, Leamington, Windsor & Sarnia.

We have a great group of teachers and volunteers that volunteer their time to offer the following box lacrosse programs, all of these programs are operated out of the Wallaceburg Memorial Arena from April to August.

Wallaceburg Lacrosse offers off season youth camps. We offer a weekly Winter Lacrosse program that runs from January to March. We rotate the venue we hold this camp in to bring it to as many kids as possible. We also offer a weekly Fall Ball Lacrosse program in September & October, designed to introduce kids to field lacrosse and provide a way to keep kids playing lacrosse in the off season.

Wallaceburg Lacrosse also has the Jr B Red Devils Box Lacrosse team for kids who want to keep playing box lacrosse at the highest level possible. Jr B lacrosse is available to kids aged 16 to 21.

Wallaceburg Lacrosse has also added the Sr B Thrashers Box Lacrosse team to

our lacrosse family. Sr B Box Lacrosse is offered to players 18 and up, and it is one step below the National Lacrosse League, so if you want to keep playing at a high level you can.

Wallaceburg Lacrosse is one of the smallest centers in the Ontario Lacrosse Association but we have had many teams compete and win at the highest levels.

Little know fact – Seth Griffith of the Boston Bruins was also a Wallaceburg Griffin and was the captain of the 2007 Griffins Bantam B Onatrio Championship Team. Seth was also the captain of team Ontario in 2007 and won a Bantam Lacrosse National Championship with Team Ontario.

Windsor Spitfire Goalie Brendan Johnson (pg 10) was also a Wallaceburg Griffin and a Jr B Red Devil.

Emily VanDamme is also a Wallaceburg Griffin and has been the goalie for Team Ontario for the past 4 years winning 2 National Championships.

Many of the players listed above come back to coach teams at all levels within the Wallaceburg Lacrosse organization.

You can find information about all of our programs on Facebook or on our website at www.wallaceburglacrosse.com.

Corson Langs, Ta ylor Mader & Land on Allaer at Ontario Lacrosse Festival

Peewee Griffin Field Lacrosse

2013 Peewee B Ontario Cha

mpions

Red Devils teaching lacrosse at the Pines High School in Chatham

Matt Marsh

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health&fitness

Biomechanics of a golf swing Submitted by Steven Peach & Dr. Matthew McCabe Looking at it biomechanically, the golf swing is a chaotic movement. Almost every joint in your body is moving, all while you try to keep good balance and hit a tiny ball with a 40 inch long golf club. Now add in that you are trying to hit the ball to a target yards away…it’s a complicated movement to say the least.

and stability perspective to rid their swing of nasty habits and prevent injuries.

as comfortably possible (up and back).

Your range of motion will fall into one of three categories: Less than spine angle (limited shoulder mobility), equal to spine angle (good) or more than spine angle (great).

The next of thisUnit test will 463 St.portion Clair Street 3, be to complete the same process in your Chatham, Ontario 5-iron set-up posture.

Do you have T: 519.358.7342 F: 519.358.7524 less, the same or more range of motion? If E: info@peachphysio.ca you have less, you may lack scapular W: www.peachphysio.ca stability. Limited scapular stability can cause a golfer to stand up in their Patient’s Name: _____________________________________downswing, Date: __________________ possibly leading to the dreaded “coming over the top” motion Golf Movement Assessments Address: ___________________________________________________________________ with the longer clubs.

A proper assessment breaks the ___________________________________________________________________ There are a lot of ways to try to swing down into chunks, using a fix swing flaws from a mechanical series of physical screens to identify standpoint, but for long-term Phone: _____________________________________________________________________ inadequate mobility and stability that improvement, you need to get to the can be linked to specific swing faults.

Watching professionalIsgolf onPatient: TV, source of the problem. A golf movement this Once restrictions have been identified, the commentators are constantly assessment can help you find where a customized prescription of stretches, highlighting the golfers’ athleticism. your limitations are and formulate a plan Private MVA insured WSIB stability training, and functional drills Wide, long, repeatable golf swings with to correct them. Come in to the clinic to can be designed to eliminate the 115+ miles per hour clubServices head speed find out how our individualized exercise Requested: player’s limitations and elevate their that hits the ball 300+ yards is every programs and hands-on techniques can game. amateur’s dream. We have all spent you achieve your best swing!

Physiotherapy RMT Custom Foothelp Orthotics endless hours on the range, trying Test yourself If you would like to to find the secret that will unlock our One screening technique used to Other: ______________________________________________________________ perfect swing. But for some golfers – look at shoulder mobility is called the contribute to our likely most – it’s not their swing that’s 90-90. To perform the test, stand tall Diagnosis: “Ask The Expert” column, holding them back, but their physical and hold your arm out to your side with limitations. That’s where movement 90° of elbow flexion. Without letting please contact Bernice or assessments come in to play. It tells your upper body bend backwards, Rebecca at 226-996-9100 golfers what they can do from a mobility externally rotate your shoulder as far

A golf movement assessment can help you find where your limitations are and formulate a plan to correct them.

Precautions:

www.peachphysio.ca info@peachphysio.ca

Contraindications:

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

sports@school

Torrie Handsor Torri Handsor is in her rookie year on the St. Clair College Saints women’s basketball team. The 18 year old has been playing since she was 11, starting with the Wallaceburg AirHawks. She has also played for Wallaceburg District Secondary School and is currently on the St. Clair College Saints basketball team.

If she could play with any athlete, it would be LeBron James.

“In LeBron’s rookie season at the age of 19, he was the youngest player ever to score 40 points in a game. He was also rookie of the year, and has been invited to play in All-Star Games for 10 years.

I think it would be a dream come true to be playing with him since he is the Michael Jordan of this era,” said Torrie.

Her dreams include continuing to play college ball and eventually playing basketball in Europe.

In order to do so, she is working on cardio and strength training in order to be able to perform well for all 35-40 minutes of playing time.

Her hobbies – other than basketball – are what you would expect any teenager’s hobbies to be.

She loves hanging out with friends, working out,

Interview by SportsXpress, Photo submitted by Torrie Handsor

playing any other sports. She loves the outdoors; playing lawn games with her family is a highlight of summer.

Torrie is currently in a pre-nursing program but is hoping to move to cardiovascular technology next year.

As for her future plans, Torrie said, “I plan to continue to train hard and never give up… I was about to give up after not making my grade nine travel team, but then I decided to go to basketball camps and come back the next year better than ever!”

Torrie realizes that she wouldn’t be where she is today without her support system. “I would like to thank my family, and especially my parents because they were always travelling with me for basketball tournaments and late practices. They also are the ones who encourage me to do my best and to never give up, no matter how much I’ve wanted to.”

Want to see Torrie in action? Check out the St. Clair Athletics at www.saintsathletics.ca for upcoming games, articles, opportunities and Torrie makes a shot more.

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Brendan Johnston Interview by SportsXpress, Photos by Tim Corneet/WindsorSpitfires.com BIOGRAPHY Date of birth: January 30th, 1997 – currently in his NHL draft year.

Hometown: 10 minutes from Wallaceburg Position: goalie Number: 35 – in honor of Andy Moog, Boston Bruins goalie.

Team: Windsor Spitfires

Wallaceburg Minor Hockey

GOALS AND INSPIRATION:

Inspiration: “Dad – I always watched him play in net and fell in love with it.”

Long term: play professional hockey whether in Europe or the NHL This year: bring home the Memorial Cup Dream team: Boston Bruins Thank you: CK for support, all my coaches growing up: Triple A, CK Cyclones,

Support system: “My parents will drive up to four hours to watch a game.”

Encouragement to readers: “Never give up! There are a lot of people who got passed over on Draft day and they’re the best players in the NHL.”

sportsfiles

Audra Vanroboys

Chatham-Kent Ministries

Submitted by Gina Vanroboys, Photo Credit Trish Gylnn Audra Vanroboys is a 14 year old competitive hockey player, currently playing on the 1st Girls hockey team at Ridley College in St. Catharines, ON. Audra played the past four years with the London Devilette association, winning two provincial silver medals and being awarded the 2nd annual Randie Tuffin Spirit Award in 2011.

She is currently one of two grade nine students playing on the 1st Girls varsity hockey team.

She played in her first U19 university showcase in September 2014 at the age of 13.

Audra maintains an A average, taking eight classes while boarding at Ridley College and traveling most weekends on the team bus to New York, Washington,

Toronto area and Vermont, missing many Thursday, Friday and Saturday classes.

She trains hard when home with local Chatham-Kent professionals Rafie Protopapas, Lori Gunn, & Todd Warriner, on her skating, shooting and conditioning.

In addition, she is actively part of many community service projects, such as coaching U6 kids in soccer in summer, being a hockey and skating camp assistant, assisting with the Santa Claus parade, and with food can drives.

Audra is a graduate of Thamesville Area Centre School in 2014, where she shared the honour of 2013-2014 school Prime Minister and Class Valedictorian.

She will be working in Guatemala for a week with the Doppenbergs in Guatemala (DIG) building houses, schools, water plants and communities of hope.

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The 411 on tennis elbow Submitted by Dr. Brian Sides & Dr. Sarah Ytsma common treatment recommendations Tendonitis is a common ailment for for tennis elbow, but if more treatment many athletes. In our office, the most is required, ultrasounds, active muscle common tendonitis we see is in the release techniques, acupuncture and lateral forearm, known as “tennis 226-996-1712 elbow”, or lateral epicondylitis.

It is kinesiotape are common interventions.

St.Clair St. Chatham mainly caused by overuse,467 but can If the tendonitis is severe enough, www.ckperformancehealth.com bracing might be recommended. The be caused by blunt trauma to the Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Massage Therapy • Movement Therapy easiest way to prevent overuse injuries area, as well as a muscle strain or joint sprain. It is often described as like this one is to make sure to take adequate time off after strenuous use a pain near the outside of the elbow joint when participating in certain of these muscles, as well as simple strengthening exercises to allow the actions that involve extension of the muscles to withstand greater amounts wrist. In tennis, hitting the backhand of force. places a great deal of force on the wrist extensor muscles. The tendons of these muscles attach to the lateral side or outside of the elbow, which is why the pain 226-996-1712 is felt at the elbow and 467 St.Clair St. Chatham not the wrist. www.ckperformancehealth.com Ice and rest are Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Massage Therapy • Movement Therapy

Giving Hope Today

Every Plate Full • Depending on a food bank for groceries shouldn’t mean eating unhealthily • Help your local food banks • Plant an extra row in your garden • Donate extra produce • Support community gardens

For more information: Chatham 519-354-1430 Ridgetown/Blenheim 519-674-3765 Wallaceburg 519-627-8257 www.cksalvationarmy.org/ Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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Melinda’s School of Dance Submitted by Melinda Holmes

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

We opened our studio on 7 Main Street West, Ridgetown, in June 2006 and have been operating an affordable, warm and safe environment to share our love and passion for dance!

Our goal is to not only teach your children dance but to create friendships, self-esteem and a lifetime of memories.

We offer jazz, hip hop, lyrical, acro, tap, ballet, musical theatre, stretch and strengthen, leaps and turns, and exercise classes. Classes start at 18 months and up to adult. We have classes for beginners up to advanced.

We offer recreational and competitive programs. We believe family is important! Our council is filled with parents of student who help address

concerns as well as organize fundraisers for our students.

Don’t let the small town feel scare you away! Our students have gone on to the National Ballet Company, various movies and music videos. One of our students is currently teaching dance in university.

Dance is a great way to keep your body and mind healthy. Studies show that dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, boost your memory and can help from keep dementia from developing. Dancing lifts your spirits and is known to help with depression. So what are you waiting for? Get your family off the couch! Call 519-365-6074 and give yourself and your child a boost of energy everyone needs!

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Maple City Squash Club Submitted by Maple City Squash Club founder Dan Vanmoorsel I grew up in the Niagara Region, which at that time boasted five clubs, all having thriving junior programs and a strong sense of community. My family of six was able to play, socialize and bond with our many trips to the club over the years. I have been a member of the Chatham-Kent community since 1998.

The Maple City Squash Club was founded in 2012 to fill a void in the community. At that point the Wheels Inn was showing major signs of wear and the YMCA courts were not suitable for long term squash planning. When the Wheels Inn closed and the YMCA relocated, the squash community was left without a home.

I was not prepared to live in a community without my favorite pastime. Squash has been a huge part of my life and has led to many of the friendships I still hold dear to this day.

Running a squash club was a dream of mine as a kid. It took five years to take shape, but here we are! We now have two courts, as well as men’s and women’s change rooms – equipped with saunas and a lounge area.

As a father of three, I know the importance of youth in our community. Running a junior program at the club was a necessity.

Kids need to know there are options out there for them; that is the message we embrace with our program. We want to give the youth of our community an opportunity to gain a life skill, something that will follow them to college, work, and adulthood.

We have programs for every age and skill level. We run our junior program Wednesday nights from 5-8 p.m. depending on skill level.

We also have programs for beginners, adults looking to rejuvenate their love for squash, and a female-specific program. Please check us out on Facebook – search for Maple City Squash Club.

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Chatham-Kent Table Tennis Submitted by Rory Goulding, Photo Credit Rory Goulding

A BATTERY? EEDNEED A BATTERY?

Last spring, Will Saxena mentioned to my sister-in-law about his passion for table tennis. She immediately said, “I have lobal is Wallaceburg’s Battery Source someone you need to meet.”

She gave him my phone number, and within a week he called and we got together to knock the ball around. From QUALITY - GREAT WARRANTY - LOW PRICE • TOP QUALITY that point onward, we met several times • GREAT WARRANTY Batteries for: per week, depending LOW PRICE • Snowmobileson each of our ar • •Tractors o • Golf Carts • Alarm schedules. ooters • ATV’s • Safety Lights During our time torcycles • Lawnmowers • Industrial ats • Semi Trucks and more! at the table, we discussed how we 6850 Baseline, Wallaceburg 519-627-7171 would love to see the (Corner of Old Glass Rd and Baseline) Email: sales@jiyeglobal.com • www.jiyeglobal.com sport grow in this BATTERIES FOR: area, and inquired about community use of schools • Tractors regarding starting a table tennis club.

We were advised to see if Chatham Kent • Golf Carts Sports and Recreation would sponsor the club, and we started the process to start • ATV’s the club.

Our first night was October 1st, 2014; • Lawnmowers we had two people show up.

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Table tennis is very big in the Greater Toronto Area, Quebec, and other larger cities in the country.

Our goal is to build the sport from a grass roots mindset. That goal is down the road, but we think it is possible.

We are fortunate in Canada to have access to plenty of facilities that are capable of hosting a table tennis club.

There are so many things that I enjoy about the sport.

I love coaching beginners, and I have recently started to compete again – it’s always a great feeling when you’re playing and you make a winning shot.

We have a Facebook page: Chatham Kent Table Tennis. People can contact me there if they have any questions. We currently run Wednesday nights at WDSS, in the small gym from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Regarding the benefits of table tennis, they go on and on. Dr. Daniel Amen describes them at www.saef.us/why.html.

“It’s always a great feeling when you’re playing and you make a winning shot.”

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

Table tennis is fun for everyone.

sportsfiles

Chatham is Hockeyville

Submitted by Rebecca Reimer

Chad Peterson is commonly known as the Maroons Super Fan. He wears a hat that lights up every time the Maroons score and donates a box of Kraft Dinner to local food banks for every point.

But Chad wanted to do more for the community than donate Kraft Dinner.

So he started an initiative to bring Kraft Hockeyville to the Chatham Memorial Arena Mark Magnum of Magnum Signs

jumped on board and became the leader of the committee - finding people to help. He utilized his business to help promote KHV by wrapping Chad’s Volkswagen Bug for free to represent KHV in every Christmas parade in CK. Mark also made signs and pamphlets, donating all the time and supplies needed.

Rick Walker of CTV did several promotional videos, which you can see

on Youtube or The KHV2015 website.

Other volunteers include Dennis Parker and Matt Clarke, were a great support system and helped get people out for the rallies. Carrie Dudley worked on the video script, and SportsXpress’ Rebecca Reimer who wrote the submission letter. A thanks also goes to Gerry Peterson for his generous and kind support.

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teamprofiles

CK Golden Hawks Girls Hockey Submitted by Ian Kennedy, CKSN.ca, Photo Credit Wyatt Williams Our team philosophy 100% revolves around developing better people, who act with integrity and respect during competition, and who strive to improve and excel in the community, classroom, and on the ice, in that order.

Our goal has always been to improve each game as individuals and as a team, and to help our girls find success with their club teams away from school. We have some talented young hockey players, with almost our entire team entering this year as grade 9 and 10 student-athletes.

With that much youth, focusing on skill development, and personal improvement, without the pressure of winning, has been our focus.

Luckily for us, the winning came with that as we finished our regular season with a 14-6 record. I think our greatest achievement however, was simply the enjoyment we had as a group, working hard toward common goals. Really, that’s what hockey is about, and we achieved that without question.

Our players have grown by leaps and bounds. They were lucky enough to have 5 dedicated coaches work with them all season, including three CKSS alumni – Hokey Langan who played NCAA hockey for Ohio State, Katrina Protopapas who played NCAA hockey at Wayne State, and Destiny Pailey who played OUA hockey for Windsor. These coaches provided oneon-one instruction, and served as role models for our girls. Each game and practice, you could see our players’ confidence grow. They supported each other, bought in to a team mentality, and developed skills that were once a challenge.

Our captain, Olivia Henry, and one of our assistant captains, Alexa Pugh, are both graduating, and moving on to pursue their post secondary educations. Both players have made immense contributions to the CKSS hockey program over the last four years. They are wonderful people who served as excellent role models and leaders for our younger players this season. Unnecessary information does not flow As for our team in the coming years, we are looking for a willingness to learn, dedication, and potential. We just want girls who love to play hockey, and are willing to work hard on and off the ice, and push themselves to a higher level of play repetitious. We’re trying to build a serious program, where we can help these girls achieve their goals, and become better athletes and citizens.

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

sportsfiles

Interview with Breanne Nicholas How long have you been playing rugby?

7 years. Since grade 9-current.

Which teams have you played for?

Blenheim District High School: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

Kent Havoc Club: summer 2011, 2012, 2013.

2010: Ontario South West 10’s team: 3rd at Ontario summer games, held in Sudbury.

2011: U17’s Ontario 15’s team: 3rd at nationals held in Calgary, Alberta.

2012: U18’s Ontario 15’s team: 2nd at nationals held in Sherwood, Quebec.

2013: U20 Canada 15’s team: 1st at Nationals Cup held in Nottingham, England.

2014: Canada FISU 7’s team: 1st at FISU Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil The University of Western Ontario 2013.

2014 (current): CIS bronze, 2014.

London St Georges Rugby Club: summer 2014 (current).

What are you doing in the rugby world now?

I am currently on the Maple Leaf Canada 7’s East team.

What are your plans for the future?

Take every opportunity that arises for me. I will continue working on improving my skill and knowledge of the game, and just continue playing rugby to the best of my ability How has being from a small community like Chatham Kent shaped you?

I got to play all the sports at school because it was a small community you got that chance to. Playing a wide variety of sports has helped me develop so many skills and qualities that I can apply to other sports and life in general.

Growing up in the country provided me an opportunity to always be outside doing something, staying active, learning a lot of things that are useful to me, even now. Living in small communities, especially where farming is big, you notice the hard work that gets put in, and it makes you appreciate the things you have more.

What encouragement do you have for athletes that want to do well?

You are only the age you are once. Take advantage of that. Do what you love, build skills by doing multiple things.

Listen to what coaches have to say, terramo™ learn from them, apply it, but you know your body better than anyone so don’t forget to be you and do your thing while applying what the coaches teach you.

Interview by SportsXpress

There is a positive and negative in everything, it is up to you as to what you take out of something, so try and find a positive out of everything.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

I’d like to Thank all the coaches’ I’ve ever had for all the sports teams I have ever been a part of. I have learned something from all of you. I also thank all of those who supported my rugby endeavours via sponsors and donations.

I thank my loved ones who were there for me throughout, who showed support ™ terramo whether it be driving me to or attending practices, games, meets, helping with raising money at fundraisers, and showing moral support. And a special thanks to my dad, Mike Nicholas, because I would definitely not have had the opportunities that I am honored to have experienced and continue to experience.

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fromthesidelines

That’s Sports!

Submitted by Gary Patterson It’s been a few years since my fingers have tickled the keyboard for a sports column but I’m back!

For those who don’t know me, my name is Gary Patterson and I’ve been involved in local sports for the last 22 years as a broadcaster.

I started broadcasting with Beaver Communications in Chatham, and then I came up with the bright idea to start a radio station in Wallaceburg and am still broadcasting sports.

I have also been the track announcer at Dresden Raceway for the past 24 years.

I grew up in Thamesville, Ontario, a town I am fiercely proud of.

I was like most other kids way back then…I played baseball in the summer, including three OBA titles (not bad for a town of about 1,000 people) and hockey in the winter.

When it comes to professional sports…I love the Yankees, Dolphins and Leafs.

I bleed maize and blue when it comes to college sports but I am a staunch fan of other Big10 teams when Michigan is not playing.

I still play slo-pitch and probably will until the day they drag me off the diamond…I just love the game and

the teammates…I can be as competitive as I can and still have lots of fun.

Why do I love sports?

That seems like a simple question, but it’s pretty complex.

I started loving sports for the people who played. Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Fergie “Now I love sports for the lessons Jenkins, Dan Marino, Darryl Sitler it teaches kids today, which are the – but my biggest sports hero was Ken Houston. same ones it taught me growing up.”

I emulated these guys – most are ahead of the curve when it comes of all Ken, because he was a local to growing up mentally, because sports guy, but also because he was nice to me help them mature. when I met him and he treated me like I When you move on to national and mattered. That was big. pro sports, that’s where it becomes a Now I love sports for the lessons playground for the mind…a place that it teaches kids today, which are the dreams are made of. same ones it taught me growing up: life Every kid who plays sports has the lessons such as teamwork, work ethic, dream of scoring the game winning goal the value of a good coach and fair play. in game seven of the Stanley Cup Final, The importance of sports in the world or hitting the grand slam homerun in is understated, as it gives true life game seven of the World Series to win lessons that include the best team and the game. hardest worker doesn’t win every game, For the adults, it’s a dreamland, but for but in the long run they will be victorious. the kids, it’s a dream they strive for.

Sports at the minor levels mirror real Remember, if your dream isn’t scary or life so much that it’s scary. seems easily attainable, then it isn’t big The kids who work hard and are great enough! team players usually excel at life and

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

fromthesidelines

4-H at 100 years – old but new again!

Submitted by Anne Verhallen Photo credit Janet Campbell 2015 marks the 100th anniversary for 4-H in Ontario. There will be celebrations across the province but the party has already started in Chatham Kent with a spaghetti dinner and very busy rally night that happened on Feb 7th, 2015.

4-H is alive and well in ChathamKent with over 170 members and more than 60 volunteers. In the past, 4-H was often seen as something farm kids did, but not anymore. 4-H is much more than “cows and cupcakes.” 4-H offers a wide variety of clubs: Financial Fitness, Kite, Community Heritage, Barn Quilts, Bicycling, Engineering (Lego and Robotics) and Video Gaming are just some of the clubs offered in the Chatham-Kent area.

There are also several other activities such as Rally Night, Judging Night and Mini Diagnostic Night that the 4-H

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members can partake in. From a regional and provincial level, opportunities such as Discovery Days, Youth Adventure Camp, Provincial Leadership Camp, Careermania and interprovincial exchanges are available for members and volunteer leaders to participate in.

4-H is an organization that is recognized around the world as a program that teaches essential skills for youth to become proactive members within their communities. Screened, trained volunteer leaders work with youth aged nine to 21 years old. Together, 4-H members and dedicated leaders come together to create a 4-H club and learn about a selected topic through hands on activities. 4-H members take

a “learn to do by doing” approach. The clubs are structured in a manner that develop leadership skills, including public speaking, communication, decision making, parliamentary procedure, meeting management and networking skills ,while educating members about the topic at hand. 4-H’s learning approach, the development of life skills and leadership skills, and a focus on community involvement makes the 4-H program unique.

For more information on 4-H in Chatham-Kent, contact Janet Campbell at 519 352 2950 or paulandjanet. campbell@ sympatico.ca.

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teamprofiles

Blenheim Blades will be celebrating 50 years next season Submitted by Bill Saunders

Blenheim – this season, the Blades 49th, for the first time since they were formed in 1965, finished fourth in the nine team league.

Things have not been easy over the team’s almost five full decades of existence since the club was formed in the summer of 1965 by the late Dave Baldwin.

That team went to the Ontario Hockey Association Junior C finals where they lost out to Bobcaygeon.

Over the years since then, the team has continued to be a place for Chatham-Kent and Essex County players to try their hand at Junior C hockey, with many of them going on to higher levels – including Bob Gryp, Chris Allen, Todd Warriner, Ryan Jones and Martin Martin, who all reached the highest level: the National Hockey League.

Last year, the team made it to the second round of the Great Lakes playoffs for the first time in 19 seasons, and managed to duplicate that feat again this season.

The 2013-14 team did it with a lot of scoring, but this year has been just the opposite as the Blades were second best in goals against thanks to veteran goaltending and a veteran defensive corps that had just one rookie.

There is no question that the team’s 2117-1-1 record was obtained by holding their opposition in check as the scoring was spread out on the club that finished second last in goals scored.

It has been quite a feat to keep a nonprofit team operating for almost half a century as players, coaches, managers and executives have come and gone.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the people we currently have in place,” said

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team secretary Bill Saunders, who has been in that position along with several others since 1998.

“Besides the coaches, trainers, managers and executive, this team could not operate without a group of volunteers who ask for nothing in return for their help. Junior C hockey in Blenheim, just as in every other OHA Junior centre in the province, is a business that is getting tougher and tougher to operate each year what with the rising costs of ice time etc., and we thank all the sponsors who come back year after year, and the new ones as well, for their great support.”

It is a labour of love for all of us,” he continued.

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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teamprofiles

Work ethic pays off for Southpoint Sun Stars Interview by SportsXpress, Photos submitted by Coach Brad Hyatt

Division: Bantam Ages: 13-14 League: WOGHL, Western, Ontario Girls Hockey League

The Southpoint Sun Stars’ philosophy is summed up in the acronym C.A.R.E. Character, the most important part, Attitude, Respect – for players, coaches and other teams – and Effort, which is what Coach Brad Hyatt says is the reason for their success. The coaching staff does their best to teach these qualities so that the girls can have the most positive hockey experience possible.

The Southpoint Sun Stars program was started 2011 and has improved each year. The travel team practices between six to eight times a month and plays several games per week. Brad says that as long as there is interest, the program will continue to grow, and this Bantam team will turn into a Midget team. In fact, he attributes the success of the program to the girls who play on the team.

“The success of this program is a result of their hard work.

We’re fortunate to have the players and parents we do,” he said.

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The girls have had an excellent season, winning two tournaments, the Kitchener Lady Rangers Fall Festival and the Etobicoke Pink the Rink, as well as qualifying for the playoffs. Coach Brad Hyatt cannot say enough about their dedication, “We can depend on all of them, at any time”.

Coaches Brad Hyatt, Scott Hopper, Tom Hyatt, Amy Bell and Steve Wilson are all volunteers – each giving time and effort to help their team be the best they can be.

When asked what the growth of the team has looked like this year, Brad replied, “Off the ice, you see a big improvement in their time management as they mature into their teen years. On the ice, their hockey IQ, their ability to read plays and see the ice, continued to improve.”

The Southpoint Sun Stars hold tryouts in late May and early June. If you want to make the team, you’ll have to work just as hard as the girls already on it. Being a part of the Southpoint Sun Stars requires a willingness to learn, work hard and be a team player.

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sportsfiles

The Dresden Skating Club Submitted by Sarah Pumfrey

Young skaters enjoy the ice.

The Dresden Skating Club has had a very busy skating season both on and off the ice. We offer a variety of skating programs, in addition to our pre-

CanSkate and CanSkate programs, a pre-CanPower program began in January.

In December, the Dresden Skating Club hosted a Christmas Pops concert that showcased many of our solo skaters as well as each of our CanSkate groups, followed by a family skate and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

We have skaters who will be going to Aylmer on March 4th to compete at the high school competition; as well, many of our younger skaters will be competing at the FuturesWest competition on March 7th in Wallaceburg. Our culminating event will be another showcase of our skaters as well as some special guest skaters, in

Young skaters practice skating.

our year end carnival on Sunday, March 29th at 2 P.M. Tickets can be purchased ahead at McKellar’s Flowers and Gifts or the day of at the arena.

Off the ice, we have been busy hosting youth dances for students in grades 4-8, a “Say Yes To The Dress” event, a Valentine’s dinner and dance, and a mid-winter blues quarter auction.

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fromthesidelines

The W.I.S.H. Centre This WISH Centre is a private community centre. Its mission is to offer low cost or no cost programs to our community.

The WISH Centre offers an after school program each and every day there is school. The children, after arrival, are given a snack and help with homework.

Then, they have a safe and fun environment to participate in activities such as basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, board games, and computers.

The after school program averages approximately 45 children per day between the ages of four and 14. Full day programs are offered as well on PA Days, March break and summer time. These programs have all kinds of activities, including bounce castles, group activities like fear factor, Canadian gladiators, as well as arts and crafts, and computers.

Submitted by Jamie Ireland

Summer camp also includes a field trip to a water park, aviary, or beach. Additional groups use the WISH Centre for various activities such as Wildcats for basketball, Chatham Minor Ball Hockey Association for youth ball hockey, and Cubs and Scouts for the annual car rallies. There is one major rule at the WISH Centre and that is “respect.” We at the WISH Centre are trying to provide a safe and structured environment for our children, and our main goal is to teach them respect. To respect each other, respect the leaders who supervise them, and to respect our building and equipment. If we can get the children to understand how to respect each other, they will go a long way in life,” said Jamie Ireland, program manager of the WISH Centre.

March Break Activity Camp March 16-20, 2015 Basketball, dodgeball, hockey, bounce castle, roller racers, arts, jewellery making, colouring contests, computers, much much more…

519-354-5248 It’s also time to start thinking about PA days and summer camps. Camps are 10 full weeks, with tons of fun things like field trips and group activities, such as fear factor, Canadian gladiator, swimming, and time with friends. It’s not just child care; it’s an experience!

For more information, call us or email wishcentre-jamie@mdirect.net.

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26

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

Did you know that there are 1,000,000,000 people hungry worldwide right now? 1 in 7 Canadians are currently living in poverty – unable to provide food for their families.

For more information check out our website at swogleaners.org. Feel free to email or call us at info@swogleaners.org or (519) 326-7687 any time.

Southwestern Ontario Gleaners is trying to do something about that. Located at 40 Industrial Road Leamington, we are a volunteer run organization that provides free dehydrated soup mix and fruit for people who need it, locally and around the world.

Here’s how it works: Produce is brought to a cooler, washed, inspected, then diced or sliced and transported to a dehydrator where its moisture level is brought down to 10%-13% and packaged into 3.5lb plastic bags. Each bag will feed 100 people, and only costs 5-8 cents to produce. This is because Southwestern Ontario Gleaners is a volunteer organization and all the produce is donated by local farmers.

We have been able to provide whole storage containers of food to South East Asia, parts of Africa and much more. But Gleaners doesn’t just make an impact internationally, we also provide food for families right here.

Currently we provide 250,000 servings of apple and squash chips yearly to the VON in 160 schools in Essex and Kent County.

As of 2015, we have partnered with Plentiful Harvest, a non for profit that distributes food to to needy families, schools and institutions in southwestern Ontario. We are also partnering with Forgotten Harvest who distributes their products to food banks.

Want to Help?

Volunteer your time – We need 160 volunteers for 4.5 hours every week to be at full production. Come to our annual fundraiser April 11, 2015 at Colasanti’s for dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $30/adult, $15/children. Invite us to speak at your church, school, or job to raise awareness.Be a part of the organization by becoming a member and helping us make decisions about our future. Growers can donate produce and receive a tax credit.

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