SportsXpress London May/June 2019

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Is tackle football child abuse?

MAY/JUNE 2019 London & Area Edition

thelineup

Submitted by Millars Law

fitness......................................... pgs 4-6 baseball..................................... pgs 7-11 soccer...................................... pgs 12-17 basketball........................pgs 16-17 & 44 volleyball.................................pgs 18-19 aquatics.................................. pgs 22-23 golf......................................... pgs 24-29 karate..................................... pgs 29-30 seniors........................................... pg 32 gymnastics.............................. pgs 33-36 cheerleading........................... pgs 37-38 dance...................................... pgs 39-40 football........................... pgs 13 & 42-43 lacrosse............................... pgs 43 & 45 archery........................................... pg 44 hockey.................................... pgs 45-53

One consequence of my ‘Legally it – even if you love football? Even if you Speaking’ articles in London’s love the old NFL football days, where SportsXpress magazine is that I am freyou saw – in a somewhat foreshadowing quently asked more sports-related legal graphic – two helmets come on to the questions. Recently, I had a concerned screen, crash into each other and then mother ask me explode? about the legality of “... there is scientific, medical proof Little did we putting children into know then that that unequivocally says that tackle football (after smashing one’s brainagainst another that’s precisely having an argument what is actubrain will cause irreparable damage ally happening to with her husband on the issue). the brain matter if done repeatedly.”

Considering what inside the heads we now know about the direct relationof those helmets. Think of how many ship between brain injuries and tackle men pay dearly for the show they put on football, it’s a great question – and we do for College Football fans – and then find not shy away from controversy at Millars themselves with no job and no future due Law! to the brain trauma.

I took a moment to do some research Now, let’s go back to my question: Is on the topic, beyond simply watching the it worth it, even if we love football … the movie ‘Concussion.’ We represent a lot of aggression, the noise, the tradition … is it clients who have suffered brain injuries. worth it to have our children smash their In my travels, I have been exposed to the brains against each other? concussion lawsuit with NFL players and Perhaps the more serious question is the NHLPA, and what strikes as consisthis: Is it negligent to encourage children tent is that, at some level, we know what to play tackle football when we know the causes concussions and we know that risk? Is it child abuse to put your child they are preventable. in a situation where all science tells you Perhaps in the past, we could have that it will very likely lead to a severe – if said that we didn't know that the consenot deadly – brain injury? quences of smashing one’s head against I'm afraid that, despite the controversy the head of another person causes a and the hate mail that I will receive, in my concussion when done a thousand times opinion, tackle football is close to child over a year. But today, there is scienabuse – but not quite there. This is espetific, medical proof that unequivocally cially true if flag football is an option … says that smashing one’s brain against www.millarslaw.com another brain (whether wearing a helmet or not) will cause irreparable damage if done repeatedly – and will likely lead to an early death.

With that in mind, do we think that it is responsible to allow 8, 9 and 10-year-old boys to put on a football helmet (which, no doubt, gives them a false sense of security) and promote maximum aggression and then tell them to launch themselves at each other, knowing that head contact is inevitable in that circumstance?

Let me ask another question: Is it worth

Special thanks to London Mens Baseball League for the Orioles cover photo.

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Camps, fresh look coming soon!

Submitted by CTC Obstacles CTC Obstacles continues to provide great experiences for its members and visitors who have a passion for parkour and ninja warrior style obstacles (or an interest in trying it for the first time!). At its core, CTC is a place where people can come to work out and get healthy in the most fun way possible – by playing!

Open gym, which is great for people of all ages and abilities, allows visitors to try out all sorts of ninja warrior obstacles and parkour-style structures. And CTC is always changing up obstacles and creating new ways to keep you challenged.

Have you tried the newest obstacle? The ‘circuit board’ is sure to challenge you!

Speaking of new, the facility is looking to freshen up the look and aesthetics of the place, with new graffiti on the obstacles. Know an artist who wants some work – with freedom? Tell them to get in touch!

CTC has something for everyone, including private rentals, birthday parties, day camps, kid’s NINJA classes, adult fitness classes, family fitness classes, parkour training sessions, team building, and sports team workouts – all in a fun environment. CTC’s objective is to get people to tap into their potential and their ability to push past the limits they thought they had!

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MAY/JUNE 2019 PUBLISHER: Greg Matthison GregM@SportsXpress.ca, 519 619 6029 London.SportsXpress.ca

OBSTACLES

commit. train. conquer.

Summer Camp ahead!

CTC Obstacles is looking forward to offering Summer Camps this year, and there are many options to choose from!

Camps are held for children and youth aged 6 to 14, and they will feature parkour, warped walls, and American Ninja Warrior activities. The cost is $210 for the week. A one full-day camp fee is $55 or you can purchase a 5 day pass for $245 that can be used on any of the days. The camps run in July and August (excluding the first week of July and the last week of August).

The camp will be filled with open play time, and instructors will work with young athletes on goal-setting in addition to providing ninja, gymnastics, and parkour training (there’s even a bit of boxing and muay thai training as well!).

Campers will also have the opportunity to participate in time trials, workouts and course designs.

For more information about CTC Obstacles, the Summer Camps (including to register), visit www.ctcobstacles.ca, email ctcobstacles@gmail.com, or phone 226-374-8507.

www.ctcobstacles.ca

Greg Matthison and family: Sam, Jack & Kate EDITOR WEB GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Todd Devlin Alyssa MacLeod Britt Cobean

CONTRIBUTORS Roop Chanderdat, Connor Loucks, Devon Snell, Greg Moore, Chris Robinson, Brian Foster, Ismael Ferreira, Donna Bayley, Matt Sanchez, Mari Udarbe, Dave Ferguson, The Little Gym of London, Eager Beaver Baseball Association, Centrefield Sports, Forest City Volleyball Club, Athletic Fluency, Snipe Academy, Pro Function Sports Injury Clinic, Dance Steps, Lambeth Little League Baseball Association, London Gymnastics Academy, London Nationals, CTC Obstacles, SWO Soccer Canada, London Lightning, London Celebrity Sports Dinner, Forest City Diving Club, Western Mustangs, London Junior Golf Development Centre, London 911 Hockey, City of London Municipal Golf, London Mens Baseball League, FC LONDON, London Minor Football Association, Family Karate, Power Cheer Gym, CheerStrike, Olympic Karate, London Aquatic Club, the SportsXpress Team and local sports enthusiasts.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Matt Hiscox Photography, Lee Friesen, Choi David, Peter Kelly, David Leyes, Family Karate, Centrefield Sports, Snipe Academy, London Gymnastics Academy, Byron Optimist Soccer Club, NeuroChangers, Forest City Volleyball Club, FC LONDON, Athletic Fluency, O’tools, Horton Street Seniors’ Centre, , St. Thomas Shock Basketball, SWO Soccer Canada, Great Lake Canadians, Dance Steps, Roy Inch & Sons, London Lightning, Western Mustangs, London Nationals, Dreamland VR, London Junior Golf Development Centre, London 911 Hockey, City of London Municipal Golf, London Knights, , NorWest Soccer, Pro Function Sports Injury Clinic, , CTC Obstacles, The Little Gym of London, Forest City Diving Club, Komoka Kings Hockey Club, , London Mens Baseball League, Olympic Karate, London Minor Football Association, CheerStrike, Power Cheer Gym, London Aquatic Club, the SportsXpress Team, various sports group photographers and community sports fans.

London SportsXpress is an independently owned and operated member of the SportsXpress Network

CTC Obstacles, London’s first (and only) obstacle gym, continues to grow and evolve while providing a whole lot of fun – and fitness – to visitors of all ages!

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Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. Please contact the publisher. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for 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. London SportsXpress is published six times per year. London SportsXpress 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 London SportsXpress attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However the editors, contributors and London SportsXpress cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

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The many benefits of exercise Submitted by Athletic Fluency While the physical benefits of exercise are obvious to most, the potential benefits to one’s mental health from exercising are much less talked about. But they can be just as important. For instance, studies have shown that exercise can help to either prevent mild to moderate depression or help alleviate the mental

health condition.

Specifically, a recent large analysis of 49 studies from around the world (which included 266,000 people on four continents) showed that study participants who exercised for a minimum of 150 minutes per week were less likely to develop depression over nearly eight years of

Exercise can be beneficial not only for one’s physical health, but for one’s mental health as well, as numerous studies have shown

follow-up compared to those who didn’t meet those exercise levels.

But it’s not just depression that exercise can help. Exercise can help prevent or alleviate symptoms of anxiety as well.

Exercise relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and can enhance one’s well-being through the release of endorphins.

Perhaps the most noticed mental health benefit by the general population of exercise is the reduction of stress.

Exercising can be an effective way to break the cycle of the physical discomfort one feels while under stress. As well as releasing endorphins in the brain, physical activity helps to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body.

In other words, exercise can be good not only for your physical health, but for your mental health as well!

www.athleticfluency.com

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International recruits key for club Contributions by Roop Chanderdat and photos by Matt Hiscox Photography The London Majors have once again done a fine recruiting job during the offseason and will carry a few highlytalented import players on their roster as they look to compete for an Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) championship this year – a title that has proved elusive for the ballclub.

With two decades of experience under his belt, Majors’ owner and general manager, Roop Chanderdat, has built up a lot of contacts overseas, and this year he’s brought in some impact players who will play a big role – particularly in the pitching department.

Simon Mercedes, a right-handed pitcher from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, is one of the headliners. A former prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, the 27-year-old is a hardthrower who can reach 95mph on the radar gun. In his last professional season,

The London Majors’ roster in 2019 features some talented International players, including Ismael Pena (left) and Luis Sayol

in 2016, Mercedes struck out 58 batters in 60 innings between the Class-A Salem Red Sox and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.

Fortuitously for the Majors, the righty has a work visa from his time in the Red Sox organization.

Wander Beras, meanwhile, is another ex-pro player who will take the mound for the Majors this season. The lefthanded pitcher, who also hails from the Dominican Republic (born in Elias, Pina), began his pro career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and also played in the Cleveland Indians’ system. In recent years, the 30-year-old has played Independent League baseball.

A third pitcher for the Majors will be Ismael Pena, who was actually born in Montreal, QC. Another player with professional experience, Pena, a 23-yearold, began his career in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and also

Catcher Luis Sayol

played in the Seattle Mariners’ minor league system. At that time, he was strictly a hitter, playing first base and outfield. Last year, Pena transitioned to the mound for the Santa Fe Fuego in the Pecos League, where he struck out 66 batters in 66 2/3 innings (the left-handed batter also hit .323 in 15 games at the plate).

Behind the dish, the Majors welcome Luis Sayol this year. The native of Venezuela is expected to be a leader on the team, as he carries all the qualities necessary to play the role. He’ll also guide a brand new starting pitching staff as the Majors look to improve on last season’s results (Owen Boon, a local player and returnee, rounds out the rotation as the fourth starting pitcher).

Meanwhile, other arms in the Majors’ bullpen include veteran right-hander Braeden Ferrington, righty Sean HoodTidman, Steve Ribas (London), Ayden Hannon (Ancaster), Matt Balkwell (the brother of former Majors catcher Larry Balkwill), and John Fitzsimmons, another local product who has pro experience.

If the Majors hope to enjoy a lengthy playoff run in 2019, the pitching will play a major role. And with a rebuilt staff, filled with potential, the club appears poised to make some noise as the IBL season unfolds.

www.londonmajors.com

Pitcher and first baseman Ismael Pena

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Baseball tradition continues Submitted by Eager Beaver Baseball Association and photo by London Free Press The Eager Beaver Baseball Association (EBBA) is London's longest running youth sports program, due in no small part to the hard work of its dedicated volunteers – both past and present. A collaboration between several dedicated baseball players and fans (among them, Frank Colman, Gordon Berryhill, George 'Mooney' Gibson and Al Marshall) gave EBBA a grand start in 1955 with 12 teams. Sixty-five seasons later, the league is still providing a quality baseball program for over 400 players aged 4 to 22 years old.

In an unending spirit of giving, past volunteers of EBBA continue to provide support to the organization. Al Marshall was EBBA's first secretary and Rita Marshall was the first president of the Beaverettes Women's Auxiliary. Their son, Richard Marshall, continues to support the league with team sponsorships in his parents' memory. Meanwhile,

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Frank Colman Jr. and his children and Marshall and Berryhill families plan to be grandchildren continue to attend the anpresent again this year. For more infornual Colman Day celebrations at Labatt mation, or to volunteer, please visit the Park and throw out the ceremonial first league's website at EBBA.ca. pitch to start the all-star games. And Ed www.ebba.ca Berryhill, the nephew of Gordon Berryhill, also attends the Colman Day festivities and hands out the annual Berryhill Volunteer of the Year award.

Current league president Rick Peters played for EBBA as a child.

He says that the league's success has always been attributed to the drive and determination of its volunteers – and this year is no exception. However, more volunteers are always needed and welcome!

The Colman Day all-star games are scheduled for July 13 at Labatt Park. T-ball players will start the day Beaverettes Aid Eager Beavers August 4 1955: The Eager Beverettes presented the Eager Beaver Baseball Association with a check for $854.33 to help meet expenses of the young at 9am, and games will continue ball players. Left to right: Mrs. George Cavanagh (treasurer of the Beaverettes), Mrs. Al Marshall (president), Frank Colman (president of EBBA) and Alex Park (treasurer of EBBA). until 10pm. Members of the Colman, The money was raised through a draw.

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Top-notch training grounds Submitted by Centrefield Sports With warm weather approaching and the summer months not far away, Centrefield Sports is the place to prepare for all of your upcoming outdoor athletics – and your best space for consistent workouts while the weather remains unpredictable.

Decreased summer hours at the facility will begin after the Victoria Day long weekend, and with them will also come discounted rates, so be sure to book cages and field space early and enjoy all that Centrefield has to offer.

The organization will also host three

outdoor summer camps, with the first taking place from July 8 to 12, the second from July 15 to 19, and the third happening between August 12 and 15.

Summer camps will take place at Byron Optimist Complex, led by instructors with Olympic, professional and Major League Baseball experience.

With summer just ahead, the facility is proud to have been the offseason home for a number of elite programs, teams and players, and has enjoyed hosting baseball, softball, cricket, soccer, bubble soccer, football, and much more.

In April, Centrefield became the home to the inaugural Great Lake Canadians combine, which saw every player from the elite amateur organization take the field to run, field, throw, hit, pitch and take part in agility drills in a showcase environment.

The facility is excited to see how all of the hard work put in through the winter months at Centrefield will translate to the diamonds, fields, pitches and gridirons this summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone again on the turf.

www.centrefieldsports.com

At Centrefield Sports, players and teams have the opportunity to work on their skills – in whatever their chosen sport – during the offseason months in order to return to the field even better when the weather warms up!

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Orioles to ‘Pack the Park’ Submitted by London Mens Baseball League As the London Mens Baseball League enters its 27th season, plans are underway for an exciting event. One of the league's newest members, the Orioles, are getting ready to host their third annual ‘Pack the Park’ game.

Inspired by the London Majors’ annual event of the same name, the Orioles’ Pack the Pack is an effort by the team to attract as many fans as possible to showcase London’s beautiful Labatt Park and the London Mens Baseball League.

“Since we share Labatt Park with the London Majors, we get to see firsthand how exciting the atmosphere is when the park is full of fans,” said Orioles utility

player Jamie Grenier. “We wanted to try to replicate that experience, for at least one game out of the year.”

The Orioles’ Pack the Park occurs when the Orioles play their first afternoon game at Labatt Park in June.

“It’s an opportunity for our family and friends to see us play, but more importantly, it’s a chance for us to re-live the glory days that have long since passed us by,” joked Orioles player Dave Jaques.

The game is also a great way to show off London’s 142-year-old Labatt Park, the world’s oldest continually operating baseball grounds.

“A lot of our friends didn’t even know

that a place like Labatt (Park) even exists,” said Ben Maessen, a catcher for the Orioles. “When they see that we get to play at this historic venue – and the amount of fun we have playing every Sunday in the LMBL – they want to find their old ball glove and sign up.”

The Orioles’ Pack the Park game will take place June 2, 2019 at 2:45 p.m. at Labatt Park. All are welcome to attend, and admission is free. For more information about the LMBL and how to participate, visit:

www.lmblbaseball.ca

The Orioles of the London Mens Baseball League are holding their third annual ‘Pack the Park’ game on June 2, when they invite family, friends and more to come out to historic Labatt Park and catch some LMBL action

Bringing baseball back!

Submitted by Lambeth Little League Baseball Association This spring, the Lambeth Little League Baseball Association (LLLBA) will begin its inaugural season, bringing with it a grassroots-level approach to teaching kids the great game of baseball. Little League baseball teaches a progression of skills while allowing young players to have fun.

The focus is to foster a love for the game by maximizing touches on the ball, player participation, and the value of teamwork.

It is a fun and engaging approach, which helps young people become fans of one of our greatest summer pastimes.

Co-founders Craig Cooper and Jarod Judson have made it their mission to bring

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baseball back to Lambeth, a community where baseball used to thrive, and where kids played with friends in their own backyards. The Lambeth business community has been incredibly supportive of this new venture, with offers for donations, sponsorships and diamonds. Practices and games will be played at the Covenant Christian school, as well as on fields located behind the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Field). If you would like to donate, be a sponsor, or volunteer, please contact Jarod or Craig, or visit lllba.ca.

Three divisions will be offered this

year: Tee-Ball, Minor Baseball, and Minor Softball (Girls). Tee-Ball and minor baseball registration is full for this season, but is accepting names for a waiting list.

Registration for Minor Softball is ongoing, with a few spots open for girls aged 7-10 to complete two teams. Previous baseball experience is not necessary! Our coaches are excited and ready for the season to begin! Be part of bringing baseball back to Lambeth ... remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great! Here’s to a great season!

www.lllba.ca

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Red team looking to repeat Contributions by Chris Robinson, Great Lake Canadians The Great Lake Canadians program is a great place to be if you’re a young baseball player looking to improve your game while playing in an elite league with former professionals as your coaches.

That’s exactly the fortunate situation Noah Grant and his teammates find themselves in as they enter their second year with the Canadians.

Based out of London, the Great Lake Canadians (GLC) play in the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL). The program trains in the offseason at Centrefield Sports, one of the country’s top indoor facilities, and plays its games at the ‘Field of Dreams’ in Dorchester, where the players help maintain the grounds and keep the ballpark beautiful

Playing for the Great Lake Canadians 14U club last year, Noah and his teammates won the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL) championship last July

all season.

Members of the 15U Red team are coming off a very successful 2018 season, as they were one of three Canadians teams to win league championships a year ago – and at the youngest level (14U).

After posting a record of 18-3 during the regular season, the team ran the table in the playoffs, winning four straight – against the Ontario Nationals, GLC Black, and twice against the Ontario Astros – to earn a league championship title.

“They are an exciting group of young players that we enjoyed watching develop through this offseason,” said Chris Robinson, the Director of Baseball Operations with the Canadians. “This group could really hit, and they did so all year. For their age, they were a very advanced offensive ballclub and we expect them to be the same this year as well.”

Managed by Brad McElroy last season (a former pro player with the Toronto Blue Jays organization), the team was fundamentally sound and took a very aggressive approach – both offensively and on the bases. Overall, the coach was thrilled with the play of his team in 2018.

“I was really happy with the team. We played well throughout the year, and they put it together in the playoffs and it worked,” said McElroy after his team captured the U14 championship. “It’s a

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testament to the whole Great Lake coaching staff – the work everybody puts in, indoors, in practices, and throughout the winter … You see the biggest improvements, and Noah Grant, an outfielder with the Great Lake Canadians baseball program, is excited for his second year it’s exciting.” with the club as he joins the 15U Red Noah Grant is team for the 2019 season one member of that 14U team who is back and excited this year to compete for the 15U Red squad. An outfielder from Thorndale, Grant and his teammates are not only looking to repeat as CPBL champions, but also to continue working on their skills and becoming better allaround players.

“We strongly believe in the development of the player within this organization,” said Robinson. “We have been fortunate to have winning teams every year, but we’ve never sacrificed development to do so. And we are as proud of breeding successful, respectful young men as we are producing college and professional baseball players.”

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Ready for new phase Contributions by Brian Foster They’ve been playing together for a number of years, and the NorWest Lightning U21 team is excited for what’s in store throughout the 2019 season as they compete in the Ontario Women’s Soccer League. It’s a new phase for the club, but they’re up for the challenge.

“We’re striving to improve our speed of play, creativity and communication,” says Brian Foster, an assistant coach on

the team. “We worked very hard to be competitive in a very tough Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL), where our players have successfully competed for three consecutive years.”

In addition to their OYSL success, the team also won the New York City Showcase last year, which was a highlight for many of the players – who have formed special bonds over the years.

The core group has been playing together since their U14 days, and many others have played several seasons alongside each other.

“This group is very strong defensively and prides itself on its goals against record,” says Foster.

The NorWest Lightning U21 Provincial OWSL team: Back row (left to right): Brian Foster (Asst Coach), Abby Spriggs, Rayna Plante-Schneider, Corinne Tremblay, Liz Litchfield, Ashley Niville, Trinity deGourville, Sydney Lam, Hannah “The Lightning has Vickers, Victoria Smith, Sam Foster (Head Coach) Front row: Grace Navage, Julia VanNest, Abbey Konopka, Lauryn also found its scoring Soares, Ashley Watson, Emily Hattayer, Savannah Williams, Marin Williams. Goalkeeper: Joy Simpson

groove over the last few years.”

The U21 Lightning team will be traveling to play in various centres as they compete in the OWSL this season, which offers the highest level of women’s soccer play in the province.

But the Lightning is ready. After all, they’re no slouches. A number of the team’s players have – and will be – playing at the university and college level, which in itself is a significant achievement, Foster points out. And they’re a confident bunch, coming off several successful seasons. In other words, OWSL opposition will be in for a challenge when they take on the NorWest’s U21 Lightning squad this spring and summer.

www.norwestsoccer.com

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Eyeing soccer down south Contributions by SWO Soccer Canada A number of local female soccer players are catching the eyes of American college coaches who just might be interested in recruiting the Southwestern Ontario players for their programs south of the border.

Two such players include Vanessa Dredge and Belle Annis, who both play with SWO Soccer Canada, a training program made up of female studentathletes aged U16 to U18 from across Southwestern Ontario (the program helps female soccer players get noticed and possibly receive an athletic scholarship).

Dredge, who hails from Ilderton, is a member of the U17 London Whitecaps team, where she a starting striker. She has played friendly scrimmages against Oakland University, the University of Detroit Mercy (where she scored), Ferris State University, Delta State Jr. College and Madonna University.

“Vanessa is a physical striker who has great control and is deceptively quick with both feet,” says Kevin B. Johnson, the head coach of SWO Soccer Canada.

“She has drawn interest from at least a few junior colleges.”

Belle Annis, meanwhile, has also piqued the interest of a few American college soccer programs. Also a member of the U17 London Whitecaps team, Annis played for the U16 London Marconi club last year.

“Belle is a centre midfielder who has quick feet and good footwork and is an excellent passer,” says Johnson. “She’s Vanessa Dredge, who plays for the U17 London Whitecaps and SWO Soccer Canada, is a talented soccer player who is being scouted by American college programs for potential also a 90% + student-athlete.” scholarship opportunities.

In an effort to showcase (NCAA DI), Gannon University (NCAA DII), their players to American colleges, the Mercyhurst University (NCAA DII) and SWO Soccer Canada program continued Edinboro University (NCAA DII). to scrimmage against several teams in April, including the University of Buffalo

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Back on the pitch for 2019!

Submitted by FC LONDON Now that the snow has subsided, it’s time to shake off the rust and get ready for the 2019 season. With teams from U8 through to semi-pro playing in the top leagues in Ontario, the London TFC Academy and FC LONDON clubs have been busy preparing for games, which started in early May. Former FC LONDON star, Jade Kovacevich, the leading women’s scorer, recent winner of the OCAA athletics award and winner of the League1 Golden Boot award in 2017 and 2018, is now playing in Italy and is continuing to rack up goals on the other side of the ocean.

Kovacevich is now a professional player for Roma Serie B in the Italian National League, living in Italy and continuing to turn heads every time she gets the ball.

FC LONDON is working on a mid-season international transfer so that she can participate in several games throughout the season before heading back to Italy in the fall. Exciting stuff for FC LONDON, for the league, for Canadian soccer, and especially for Jade!

“We talk about players getting to the next level, and seeing Jade in another team’s uniform is bittersweet,” says Michael Marcoccia, FC LONDON’s head

coach. “We’re energized as a club that we’ve been a small part of helping to raise the bar … and we’re hoping that Jade is the first of many who will take it to the next level.”

Both League1 teams started their seasons on the road. Many of the players have come up from the U21 teams from previous years and have created wellrounded squads for the 2019 season.

The men's team will finish their regular season on August 15, at which point they’ll begin an eight-team playoff round and close out the year around September 1. On the women's side, only six teams will make the playoffs, and the season will wrap up by August 15, which will allow for players who are on scholarships to return to school (it will also add an extra level of excitement to the regular season!).

Through its affiliation Toronto FC, the 2017 MLS Champions, FC LONDON continues to bring top-level coaching to the region. Affiliate clubs, such as Strathroy Football Club, St. Thomas Soccer Club and Lambeth Soccer Club, all benefit from an increased level of professional coaching provided by Toronto FC coaches. For more information about the upcoming season, including schedules, rosters and ticket information, visit:

www.fclondon.ca

FC LONDON executive, Matt White, and keeper Emily Gillett celebrate in Italy with Jade Kovacevic

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Top instruction for young team

By SportsXpress Team NorWest Soccer is excited to welcome its youngest representative players this season, as the club has two U8 boys teams that will be competing in the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League (EMDSL). Eighteen players in total are split between a Tier 1 and a Tier 2 team in the league. And in addition to having a solid coaching staff, the team has an ace up their sleeve …

The U8 NorWest boys will be receiving instruction from the one and only Garrincha this year, who is considered by many to be one of the best soccer

coaches in the region. He has signed on to be the team’s Technical Director, and he’s excited to be working with players in this young age group.

The boys, meanwhile, are very much looking forward to enjoying a fun full regular season, during which they’ll be practicing hard to improve their skills and develop as young athletes – both on and off the field. In addition to regular season play, the team will also participate in a number of festivals this summer, including two that they’ll be hosting. In other words, it’s sure to be an exciting season – full of fun as the youngsters play the beautiful game.

Spotlight: Head Referee Jack DaSilva

Back: Jack, Mason, Arthur, Ben, Ryan, Quinn. Front: Ethan, Daniel, Johnny, Elijah, Callum, Luke

The Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association (EMSA) prides itself on recruiting experienced and talented referees for its games, and Jack DaSilva certainly embodies both of those attributes.

He’s a certified OS

Enthusiasm key for Shock ballers

referee and has officiated games in the EMSA district for the past 18 years.

Previously, DaSilva coached for many years with NorWest Soccer, which has further contributed to his depth of knowledge of the game.

Referee Jack DaSilva This year, he’s been named the head referee for NorWest, and his duties, among others, will be to ensure that all Norwest house league games follow OS guidelines.

There are approximately 25 NorWest referees. The goal is to have only OScertified referees officiating all house league games, which will result in a better experience for everyone involved, including players and coaches. Meanwhile, those house league referees are also supported and given the experience they need to hopefully progress to eventually officiate competitive games as well in the future.

Jack DaSilva, with his knowledge and experience, will play a big role in that goal, and he’s the right person for the right job!

www.norwestsoccer.com

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Contributions by Greg Moore By all accounts, it was a highly successful season for the St. Thomas Shock U10 Novice Girls basketball team in 2018-19. Not only did the girls continue their development – both on and off the court – but they achieved some impressive success along the way.

Playing out of St. Thomas and at tournaments throughout Southwestern Ontario, the U10 Novice girls became the

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first team to ever be ranked high enough to play in Division 1 as they competed at the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) final tournament. The first team in 16 years of Shock basketball, across all age groups and both boys and girls teams.

“This was a great accomplishment, and we were very proud of our young athletes,” said coach Greg Moore, who has been involved with the Shock organiza-

tion for the last three years. “One of the things that helped us be so successful this season was the kids’ ability and willingness to listen.”

In fact, the U10 Novice girls players showed up to every and game not only eager and enthusiastic, with smiles on their faces, but also ready and willing to learn and improve their skills in all facets of the game. The effort they put

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Featured Sylvan All-Stars: Eduard Totolici and Julian Mazur

Developing on and off field Contributions by Ismael Ferreira The Byron Optimist Soccer Club offers a and who are motivated to continue their age groups competing in the EMDSL fantastic Development program for U8 to development,” says Ismael Ferreira, the include a Yellow team (Tier 1) and a Green U12 youth who play in the Elgin Middlesex Technical Director of the Byron Optimist (Tier 2) and Black (Tier 2) team. Each Soccer League (EMDSL) throughout the Soccer Club. team has its unique strengths, and each season. Playing is looking forward “This group of players has developed a passion for the sport. their games out of to enjoying a long They display dedication, enthusiasm and a desire to improve.” the Byron Optimist soccer season filled Sports Complex and the North London In addition to Ferreira, who has been with fun.

Athletic Fields, the players learn and grow coaching soccer for 10 years, the coach“This group of players has developed their game while improving both their ing staff includes experienced coaches a passion for the sport,” says Ferreira. individual and teamwork skills. throughout the age groups, including Nils “They display dedication, enthusiasm and “As a club and coaching staff, we want Rankin, Kathleen Rooney, Craig Mazur and a desire to improve.” to develop players who are technically caMark Malerba. Each has been involved To learn more about the Byron Optimist pable of solving game situations, who are with soccer since their youth.

Soccer Club, visit: www.byronsoccer.ca. confident enough to think by themselves, The three Byron youth teams in these

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Sylvanlearning.com Byron Optimist Soccer Club U10 Boys team: Back row (left to right): Coach Mark Malerba, Coach Kathleen Rooney, William Cechetto, Nicholas Lourenco, Harper McLean, Max Pluchowski, Ewan McQueen, Redwan Khalaf, Gary Doda, Landon Birtch, Sam McDermott, Ethan Podesta, Coach Craig Mazur, Coach Nils Rankin. Front row: Eduard Totolici, Carter Fleming, Matthew Morgado, Samuel Calderon, Will Reiniger, Luca Malerba, Julian Mazur, Nicolas D’Amico, Amir Abdulkarim, James Perivolaris, Damian Apolinario, Nicolas Subotic

The St. Thomas Shock Basketball U10 Novice Girls team: Back row (left to right): Coaches Betsy McClure, Greg Moore and Ali Burgess. Middle row: Kaye Burgess, Maeve Balsden, Annalise Verbruggen, Payton Fleming, Kerris Moore, Reese Boundy, Maisie McClure. Front row: Mya Pearson, Melissa Gillies, Ella Ambrose, Allie Johnson, Kennedy Lawrence. Missing from photo: Charlie Giesbrecht

forth, Moore says, was refreshing.

“Our girls were extremely positive, and not only did they give it their all every week at practices, but they did the same during games as well,” the coach said. “We won our share of games, and while it’s easy to stay motivated when you’re winning, these girls kept the same level of intensity and work ethic when they were trailing as well. They played hard and never slowed down.”

Some of the players were not as experienced

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Call us to learn more about Sylvan LEGO® robotics classes! as others, and Moore and his fellow coaches, Betsy McClure and Ali Burgess, made sure that all players experience development – and at their own pace. One way they did this was by having more experienced players take on a leadership role and help their less experienced teammates feel more comfortable on the court.

“This not only helped certain kids develop as players, but it also helped the girls bond nicely over the course of the season,” Moore said. “And a lot of the credit is due to my two wonderful assistant coaches. Without [Betsy and Ali], there’s no way we could have accomplished what we did this season without their amazing contributions.”

www.shockbasketball.com

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Congratulations to FCVC athletes Submitted by Forest City Volleyball Club FCVC would like to congratulate all athletes on a terrific season of competition and wish all teams good luck at Provincials and Nationals! Forest City Volleyball Culture is 27 years strong this wouldn’t be possible without our phenomenal team of athletes, coaches, board members and parent volunteers.

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Thank you for all your hard work in making FCVC a great club. We are a true team and have shown Together Everyone Achieves More. Go FC!

FCVC Elite Skills Camp: Camp with FCVC this summer!

Take your game to the next level this

summer with top FCVC Coaches at the FCVC Elite Skills Camp (July 15-18).

For competitive athletes aged 14 to 18, contact Coach Lloyd Rumble at vp_volleyball@forestcityvolleyball.com.

Cost is $340, and the location is at Fanshawe College.

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Sports stars gather for good cause Submitted by London Sports Celebrity Dinner and photo by Matt Hiscox Photography The 63rd annual Start.ca London Sports Celebrity Dinner & Auction was another HUGE success this year.

The annual fundraising event in support of the Thames Valley Children’s Centre (TVCC) saw a head table that included NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, and Olympic gold medalists and 2019 Sportspeople of the Year Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

Nearly 600 people attended the Dinner & Auction.

During the event, former co-chair Jim Cressman announced the initial donation of $50,000 to the creation of the John

Laporta Bursary. This came just before the event organizing committee paid tribute to the retiring CEO of TVCC, who will be stepping away this summer.

An annual tradition of the event is the naming of the SPECTRA award winners, which recognize the top male and female high school athletes for their achievements in athletics, academics and community involvement. The winners this year were Julia Gosling from Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School and Evan Burke from London South Collegiate.

The winners of the 2018-19 Beyond Disability awards were also announced

– Dylan Hillier & Alexandra Fraser from Mother Teresa.

The committee would like to thank our incredible sponsors for their continued support including Start.ca, Southside Group, Nothers Signs & Recognition, M&T Print Group, Canada Life, CIBC Wood Gundy, PA Shop, Digital Echidna, Robinson Mitsubishi, Finch Auto Group and Rotary Club of London.

www.ldnsportsdinner.com

The winners of the 2018-19 Beyond Disability awards, shown here, were Dylan Hillier and Alexandra Fraser from Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School. Meanwhile, the SPECTRA award winners (for top male and female high school athlete) were Julia Gosling (Mother Teresa) and Evan Burke (London South Collegiate).

This year’s head table at the London Sports Celebrity Dinner & Auction included NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque and former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons

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Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Olympic gold medalists and 2019 Sportspeople of the Year, were on hand at the 63rd annual Sports Dinner & Auction, to the delight of the roughly 600 people in attendance

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Stepping into the future

By SportsXpress Team The writing was on the wall, says Chad ture.’ That could mean doing battle with fantastic for family outings, as well as Boutros, the owner of Cellular Magician aliens on a spaceship, trying to escape birthday parties, team-building outings Limited, the company that founded zombies, walking through temples, or or corporate events.

Dreamland VR, which has been described enjoying an exotic vacation.

Whether it’s the many Holodeck VR as ‘the most realistic virtual reality Up to eight players can participate in game options or the VR Chambers (which experience in Canada.’ Children and a virtual reality game at the same time, offer 60 different experiences in each adults, he says, are tired of the ‘sameand there’s no wires holding anyone chamber), Dreamland VR leaves its visiold entertainment venues.’ And so, he back (people explore the space wiretors with virtual reality experiences that decided to open Dreamland VR and offer lessly). New games are being released all are both fun and memorable. visitors ‘the most realistic’ [virtual reality the time, as Dreamland VR tries to keep www.dreamlandvr.ca experiences] in North America.’ things fresh for visitors. The facility is Dreamland VR, a 2,400-square-foot virtual reality space on Wellington Road, offers visitors the chance to explore new worlds. ‘When you enter Dreamland VR,’ Boutros says, ‘you are going to feel as though you At Dreamland VR, visitors get the opportunity to visit different worlds and open up their imaginations as they take part in a virtual reality experiences that some have described as second-to-none at stepped into the futhe London facility

Community Innovation Awards

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To nominate a candidate, visit pillarnonprofit.ca/communityinnovationawards or call 519-433-7876 Nomination DEADLINE: MAY 24, 2019 Pillar Nonprofit Network

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Club’s top swimmers impress Submitted by the London Aquatic Club In April, LAC sent eight swimmers to the Canadian Swimming Trials in Scarborough and six swimmers to the Eastern Canadian Championships at Laval University in Quebec City.

There were many great performances during the two events, led by LAC alumnus Maggie MacNeil being named to the Canadian World Championship team that will compete in South Korea in July. Meanwhile, Charis Huddle was selected to the FISU Games that will take place in Naples, Italy.

Both David Hickey and Jack Haycock established new club records, with Haycock earning

silver in the 100 breaststroke in Quebec and Hickey achieving his club record at the Canadian Trials in Scarborough.

Carter Buck also won gold and silver

medals in the backstroke events at the Eastern Canadian championships.

www.londonaquaticclub.ca

Eastern Canadian Championship swimmers: Back row (left to right): James, Colin, Carter, Jack. Front row: Katie, Lauren

Canadian Swimming Trials (left to right): Coach Andrew, Carter, David, Maggie, Katie, Ryan, Coach Darda

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National Champion Maggie MacNeil and Coach Andrew

Eastern Canadian silver medalist, Jack

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Eastern Canadian gold medalist, Carter

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Showcasing new skills Submitted by Forest City Diving Club Our successful Learn to Dive (LTD) program is entering its last session of the season. Our dynamic young coaches continue to engage our children in learning the basic fundamentals of diving and building upon their skills. All coaching staff are under the supervision of HighPerformance coaches to ensure that divers gain skills to help progress into potential future stars.

The Forest City Diving Club (FCDC) will be holding its biannual ‘Mini Meet’ on June 8 where participants from our LTD program will showcase with their family and friends what they have learned throughout the season. New for this year, FCDC will host this meet and invite our community partners to participate thanks to a Participaction Grant. The meet will be free to all registered divers.

Does your LTD athlete want to pursue a competitive path? Mark your calendar, as FCDC is holding two tryout dates looking for new rising stars on June 15 and 22.

Not an LTD diver but an athlete from another discipline – like gymnastics, dance or figure skating? These sports share very similar attributes.

Didn’t have a chance to try diving this season? Register for a summer camp week where children will receive twicedaily dive instructions and meet new friends and create memories. Don’t delay, register today on our website at www.forestcitydiving.com for summer programs or send an email to forestcitydivingclub@gmail.com to register for our Mini Meet.

The Forest City Diving Club (FCDC) offers young athletes the chance to learn the sport of diving from experienced and knowledgeable coaches – all while having a fun time. On tap for this summer is the annual ‘Mini Meet’ and Summer Camps!

www.forestcitydiving.com

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The Canada Life Championship SEPTEMBER 10-16 • HIGHLAND COUNTRY CLUB Following the announcement that Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are coming together under one brand in the Canadian market, the formerly named Freedom 55 Financial Championship will now be known as the Canada Life Championship.

Since 2013, the Canada Life Championship has been the flagship event on the Mackenzie Tour - PGA TOUR Canada each September.

The final event of the season is well-known for its closing ceremony where The Five players who earn Web.com Tour status are introduced. Since 2013, 190 Mackenzie Tour alumni have earned status on the Web.com Tour and 31 have earned PGA TOUR status, including 24 with status this season.

The 2019 Canada Life Championship looks to build upon the $172,000 raised for local charities since 2013, with Childcan ChildCan is the official the official charity for the charity of the Canada Life Championship second-straight year.

Alumni Spotlight With Corey Conner’s win at the Valero Texas Open, six Mackenzie Tour alumni have now won a PGA TOUR event since 2013, including; Nick Taylor, Tony Finau, Mackenzie Hughes, Aaron Wise and Adam Long.

Meanwhile on the Web.com Tour, Canadian Michael Gligic is poised to add to the list of Canadians on the PGA TOUR, currently second on the points list. Gligic was recognized as the Canada Life Canadian Player of Year at the Canada Life Championship in 2018 and has played the Canada Life Championship each of the past five seasons.

There are currently 13 alumni inside the top-125 positions in the FedEx Cup standings and nine alumni inside the top-25 on the Web.com Tour points list.

Mackenzie Tour alum/PGA TOUR winner Tony Finau

GET TO KNOW MICHAEL GLIGIC When a fresh-faced Michael Gligic, not even a teenager yet, strolled up the Glen Abbey parking lot in Oakville, Ont. and joined the Elite Junior Program under the guidance of a 24-year-old Sean Foley, neither of the two had any idea the grind they were about to endure for 16 years.

Since 2013, Michael Gligic has been a staple on the Mackenzie Tour, recording 62 starts to go along with his 100 career mini-tour starts on the side.

Though Gligic played at the Canada Life Championship each of the past five seasons, he won’t be there this year. In fact, at the same time that the Mackenzie Tour’s flagship event is taking place, Gligic will likely be prepping for his debut on the PGA TOUR due to his breakthrough win earlier this year at the Panama Championship.

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With the Web.com Tour win, Gligic became the fourth Canadian in the past four years to win on the PGA TOUR’s feeder circuit, joining fellow Mackenzie Tour alumni Mackenzie Hughes, Ben Silverman and Adam Svensson.

In his time on the Mackenzie Tour, Gligic became a favourite to watch accross the country, earning the Canada Life Canadian Player of the Year Award in 2018 at Highland Country Club after a 16th place finish on the year-end Order of Merit.

Gligic currently sits second on the Web.com Tour’s points list, which grants PGA TOUR cards to the top-25 finishers at season’s end.

Follow us on social media: @CanadaLifeChamp

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Many benefits to junior golf Submitted by City of London Municipal Golf Golf is a sport that boys and girls can play at a young age and enjoy for the rest of their lives. When golfing at the City of London Municipal Golf Courses, juniors meet new friends, enjoy the health benefits of physical exercise, learn to manage their emotions, set personal goals, improve their concentration, and learn valuable communication skills – all while having fun outdoors. Golf helps shape the lives of juniors by teaching them the following key life values: • Responsibility and Respect • Honesty and Integrity • Courtesy and Perseverance • Sportsmanship and Confidence Our Municipal Golf System Our Municipal Golf System promotes junior golf through summer camps, free weekly leagues, free Club Championships, free golf at Fanshawe’s Parkside 9, and by offering low, afford

BARCODE 314176 314177 314178 314179

START DATE END DATE July 2 July 5 July 9 July 12 July 16 July 19 July 23 July 26

DAY Tues – Fri Tues – Fri Tues – Fri Tues – Fri

able membership packages and green fee prices for golfers aged 7 to 18.

2019 Junior Camps: This program is designed for juniors who wish to learn the basics of golf so that they can enjoy the game for the rest of their lives.

Instruction will be provided by PGA of Canada Golf Professionals in a fun, stress-free environment. Junior golfers will be introduced to a proper grip, stance, basic swing mechanics, and short game skills (chipping and putting), as well as rules and etiquette. This is a 4-day morning camp taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There will be a 9-hole fun golf tournament followed by a barbecue lunch on the final day. Juniors should provide their own clubs. Proper footwear is required. Cost: $99 Resident.

Golf is a great way for youngsters to learn life skills and lessons that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. Not to mention, it’s a great way to get exercise and meet new friends!

www.london.ca/golf TIME 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm

One Amazing Membership 5 Great Courses

LOCATION Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course

REGISTER TODAY! (Online using Spectrum Interactive at london.ca/golf or call 519-661-5575).

Junior Golf Club Championship – Hosted by Thames Valley Golf Course • Must be a member of the City of London Municipal Golf Courses. Free tournament entry, applicable green fees apply.

• Junior Hickory Club Championship – August 16. Two rounds of 9 holes on The Hickory 9 Golf Course. Ages 7 to 18.

• Junior Classic Club Championship – August 16. One round of 18 holes on The Classic 18 Golf Course. Ages 9 to 18.

Free Saturdays & Sundays! – Any adult golfer paying a guest or member green fee can bring one junior: • Aged 9-14 for a FREE round of 9 holes on the Hickory 9 at Thames Valley on Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August.*† • Aged 13-18 for a FREE round of 18 holes at any Municipal Golf Course on Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August.**† * This promotion runs all day on Thames Valley’s Hickory 9 Course only. ** This promotion runs every Saturday & Sunday after 3 p.m. † Must book tee times in advance to take advantage of this promotion.

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Affordable Team Travel

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Your golf cart rental specialists

By SportsXpress Team They’re embarking on their 14th season, and they’re as eager as ever about continuing to serve their existing clients and connecting with new ones. O’tools Cart & Parts is a certified Club Car dealer, specializing in new, used and custom golf carts and golf cart parts. In fact, O’tools

O’tools is a leader in golf cart rentals for special events throughout the warm weather seasons. That includes weddings, campground weekends, corporate functions and more!

is the only full-service Authorized Dealer west of Toronto for Club Car, the Global Leader in Golf and Utility Vehicles.

And it’s rental season! O’tools is proud to be a supplier of rental carts for special events throughout the warm weather seasons. The company supplies carts for private weddings, campground weekends and corporate functions. Their carts can also be found at family gatherings/ reunions, social functions of all kinds, race tracks, convention centres and more!

Some major clients include Camp Borden in Barrie, the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Moparfest in Hamburg, and the Western Fair in London.

Vehicles are available in either gas or battery power, and come in either fourpassenger or six passenger limos. All have a flip-down rear seat for a cargo bed.

Rentals are always quoted for a 24-hour period (Day Rate). For rentals of 4 hours or less, a discount of 25 percent is offered.

For weekend rentals, which start Fridays after 3pm, the cost is 1 1/2 Day’s Rate.

Sunday rentals start on Saturday at noon and cost a 1 Day Rate. Meanwhile, quotes for rentals can be customized to fit a renter’s needs.

O’tools is fully insured and provides pickup and delivery.

Located in Forest, Ontario, between Grand Bend and Sarnia (the heart of Southwestern Ontario's vacationland), O’tools maintains a summer staff of 10.

The company was founded by Donald Brooks, the owner and general manager, who previously spent years in manufacturing, wholesale distribution and retailing in the automotive, motorcycle and snowmobile industries. Brooks knows his stuff, and he goes out of his way to provide excellent customer service.

Looking to rent golf carts for a special event? O’tools has what you’re looking for.

www.otools.ca

BEST. GIFT. EVER! Road Trips from London and Area to watch Pro Sports Toronto Blue Jays vs ($99) Jun 8 Arizona Diamondbacks Jun 29 Kansas City Royals Jul 6 Baltimore Orioles Jul 27 Tampa Bay Rays Aug 10 New York Yankees Aug 31 Houston Astros Sep 14 New York Yankees

Detroit Lions vs Sep 15 LA Chargers - $259 Sep 29 Kansas CIty Chiefs - $279 Oct 20 Minnesota Vikings - $259 Oct 27 New York Giants - $259 Nov 17 Dallas Cowboy - $299 Nov 28 Chicago Bears - $279 Dec 29 Green Bay Packers - $279

Detroit Tiger vs ($139) Jul 6 Boston Red Sox Jul 21 Toronto Blue Jays

Buffalo Bills vs Sep 29 New England Patriots - $299 Oct 27 Philadelphia Eagles - $299 Nov 3 Washington Redskins - $279 Nov 24 Denver Broncos - $279

Includes game ticket, transportation and more.

NFL includes all you can eat/drink tailgate party. Group rates for 10+ people.

Hst to be added (13% for Canadian games and partial 4% for US games).

Additional road trips may be available.

Book Now! Space may be limited and prices may be subject to change.

Road Trip Partners BBQ food, drinks & games. Order a tailgate party for your next local social event.

Jim Ross • info@BigGameRoadTrips • 519 870 9249 • @BigGameRoadTrips Use #LondonSportsXpress and get FEATURED!

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The best youth golf experience Submitted by London Junior Golf Development Centre The 2019 golf season has arrived, and our junior golf programs are in full swing!

Juniors in the London and surrounding area are filling up two programs provided by the London Junior Golf Development Centre for the golf season.

They include …

Learn to Golf The Learn to Golf program is an innovative program that allows young players to learn the game in a safe and fun environ-

ment. The early stage of this program focuses on the fundamentals (developing physical literacy and an introduction to golf-specific skills). As the program progresses, players have the opportunity to learn and master the fine motor skills in combination with other skills (ie. balance and swinging the club at the same time).

Juniors can participate for the entire season or for the months that fit into their schedule.

league allows youngsters to experience the ups and downs of the game in the company of other children (typically friends) under the supervision of an experienced coach.

Junior Golf League

How do I register my child or find out more information?

This junior league provides an experience that involves ‘game-like’ situations in practice along with on-course play.

The first introduction to the game of golf for most kids involves either a golf clinic at a range or going to the driving range.

And although it may be fun to whack balls as hard as you can into a big field, this first experience with golf has very little to do with the game itself. Our junior

The London Junior Golf Development Centre welcomes you and your family, regardless of experience or equipment, to start golfing this season. For more information or to register, visit us at www. londonjuniorgolf.com.

www.londonjuniorgolf.com

Senseis and self defence Submitted by Olympic Karate Olympic Karate will be starting a new cost. The fee for this 4-class program is Donovan, both 5th degree black belts, women’s self defence seminar course this $20 total so that cost will not be a barrier while our final session will be run by spring and summer. The purpose of our for any woman interested.

Professor Mike Donovan again to conprogram is to make women more aware Our first seminar will be led by clude the self defence series. of current strategies and maneuvers Professor Mike Donovan, our senior inAll women who would like to enroll, available for neutralizing aggressive or structor who has 48 years of experience please call 519-473-5444 or e-mail us at dangerous behaviours directed against as a self-defence instructor. Sessions sensei@olympickarate.on.ca. them. number two and three will be directed by www.olympickarate.on.ca The instructors of our seminars will be Master Tim McMillan and Master Stephen our most experienced and knowledgeable master senseis. Seminars will be organized into four sessions – offered on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm and Saturdays at 1:30pm. All able participants will also be eligible to participate in our cardio kickboxing class on Saturdays offered from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at no additional This spring and summer, Olympic Karate will offer a women’s self defence course, taught by its most experienced and knowledgeable instructors Use #LondonSportsXpress and get FEATURED!

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Thriving on the dojo Submitted by Family Karate The Family Karate Competition Team has been busy in recent months, training and competing in various events as the athletes continue to grow and excel – individually and as teammates.

In early March at the Ilderton tourna-

ment, Family Karate team members earned numerous top 4 finishes on the dojo. Colin and Nel led the way with firstplace finishes in both kata and sparring.

Meanwhile, Ashley also placed first at the event in sparring. Other results included:

Iain - 4th kata, 2nd sparring; Jack C. 3rd sparring; Jack S - 2nd weapons, 3rd sparring, 3rd kata; Brody - 4th kata, 3rd sparring; Nathan - 4th weapons; Blake 2nd weapons, 2nd sparring; Maiev - 3rd sparring; Antonio - 4th kata, 1st sparring; Kai - 3rd kata and sparring; Fahad – 3rd kata; Jess - 2nd kata, 2nd weapons, 2nd sparring; Simon - 4th katas, 4th weapons - 2nd sparring; Kathryn - 3rd kata; Addison - 3rd weapons, 3ed sparring, 2nd kata; Natalie - 2nd kata; Caleb - 3ed sparring; and Declan - 4th sparring.

Meanwhile, the Competition Team also enjoyed a strong showing at the WKC Regional Competition, led by Jake who earned three first-place finishes (traditional kata, hard kata and sparring).

Nathan was 1st in sparring, while Athena was 1st in sparring, 2nd in classical kata, and 3rd in hard kata. Nicole H. and Nicole K. each placed 2nd in sparring in their respective divisions. Congratulations to all competitors! The team is now training hard for the WKC Nationals this fall.

At Family Karate, martial artists have the opportunity to learn and compete as part of an award-winning program (since 1993) with highly-experienced and talented coaches who always have their athletes’ best interests in mind. The Family Karate Competition Team believes in helping to grow and shape children as martial artists – and as individuals – by teaching and fostering skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

www.familykarate.ca

Family Karate competitive athletes in action: (Clockwise from top right): Nicole Keeri-Szanto, Jake Lindsay, Alyssa Dumont, Antonio DiCesare

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Bentley Hearing recognizes Sporting Seniors Horton Street Seniors’ Centre

Activities aplenty at Seniors’ Centre

By SportsXpress Team Change is a good thing, and members of the Horton Street Seniors’ Centre (HSSC) can attest to that. The recreational facility, which operates out of the Boys & Girls (BGC) of London and serves adults aged 55 years and up, is filled with fun and engaging activities and events for Londoners – many of which are new to the Centre.

There are popular new social groups, for instance, including yoga, zumba, tap dancing, music, drama, darts and chair hockey, among others. In other words, the Centre isn’t just about bingo and cards (although those fun activities are still on offer!). But the face of the Centre is changing as new members continue to join, and the activities are always evolving.

The Horton Street Seniors’ Centre has around 300 members, and the Club’s ‘extended family’ has increased to more than 1,400 members. The Centre is open during weekdays, and activities are scheduled between 7am and 3pm.

The selection is vast, including recreational activities, aquatics programs and fitness programs, in addition to special events, luncheons and day trips.

Members of the Centre have access to recreational programs like … art classes, crafts, book club, knitting, quilting, wood carving and singing.

Interested in fitness activities? There’s badminton, carpetball, line dancing, pickleball, ping pong and Tai Chi – not to mention the fully-equipped fitness room which is staffed by a certified coordinator with more than 20 years of experience.

Into aquatics? There are plenty of opportunities to get in the water – for both recThere are lots of new activities being offered at the Horton Street Seniors’ Centre reational and fitness (including darts!), which continues to evolve as new members join

swims – throughout the week. Aquatic exercise classes are held daily. The Aquaplex Pool is 25 metres in length, has six lanes, and is fully accessible.

The Wellness Pool is a therapy pool with water jets that is also full accessible. Gentle Fit classes are held in that pool for members looking to improve their balance, strength and mobility.

Perhaps the best part about the HSSC? It’s affordable. Membership is based on income (and starts as low as $75 per year). A parking pass costs $40 per calendar year. Meanwhile, a visitors fee is $3 per day (including parking), which allows access to activity programs and afternoon open swim. And an activity pass is $35 per year, which allows access to one regular program per week (pool programs and fitness room not included).

In other words, it’s all there at the Horton Street Seniors’ Centre, where seniors have the opportunity to enjoy affordable recreational and social events, helping optimized their health along the way!

bgclondon.ca/seniors-programs

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Peak performance at Provincials Submitted by the London Gymnastics Academy It was a highly-successful year for the London Gymnastics Academy (LGA), and the club started out the 2018-2019 competition season on top! Congratulations to LGA’s Provincial athletes for qualifying in the Top 8 All Around to represent Team Ontario at the California Grand Invitational Tour Competition in Anaheim, CA back on January 10-14. We are so proud of Chloe Burridge (Level 10), Shayla Kellett (Level 9), Mia Sellars (Level 8), and Alison Brown (Level 7) for your amazing performances representing LGA and Team Ontario!

Then, months later, LGA rocked the house to finish off the season with a bang! Congratulations to every one of LGA’s Optional Level 6-10 Competitive Provincial athletes for qualifying for the Ontario Championships! The Level 7-10 athletes did an outstanding job with their amazing performances at this year’s Ontario Championships, held at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg on April 5-7 (and so did the Level 6 athletes who competed at the Dorchester Arena in Dorchester on April 13-14!).

We are so proud of these superstars and commend them for their hard work and dedication! A special shout out to the athletes that medaled and placed in the Top 3 Overall at Championships: • Cadence Denney: 2nd Overall, 1st Bars, 3rd Beam • Mia Sellars: 1st Overall, 1st Vault, 1st Bars, 2nd Beam, 1st Floor • Shayla Kellett: 2nd Overall, 2nd Bars, 2nd Beam • Alison Brown: 1st Overall, 3rd Vault, 1st Bars, 1st Beam • Saige Sommerfreund: 2nd Overall, 1st Bars, 3rd Floor

At the Ontario Championships, LGA gymnasts earned numerous medals and enjoyed some fantastic performances

LGA athletes represented the club well at the California Grand Invitational Tour Competition

• Madilyn Ferreira: 3rd Overall, 2nd Vault, 3rd Bars, 2nd Beam • Chloe Burridge: 2nd Vault Meanwhile, LGA had some very special and exciting news with Chloe Burridge, Shayla Kellett, Mia Sellars, Alison Brown, and Saige Sommerfreund, who placed in the Top 4 All Around at the Ontario Championships in their respected level and age divisions and thus qualified to compete at the 2019 Eastern Canadian Championships in Prince Edward Island on May 9-11. Congratulations to these athletes on all your hard work this season!

LGA ALL THE WAY!

Our coaches are experienced, highlytrained and NCCP certified. We are offering 9 weeks of camp starting July 2 and running through August 30 for children and youth aged 4 to 15. Camps include: 1.5 to 2 hours of structured gymnastics or cheerleading (morning & afternoon), thematic activities and games, crafts, outdoor activities with water-play (weather permitting) and pizza Fridays!

Last summer, our camps were very popular. To join the fun, register online.

londongymnasticsacademy.com londonheatcheerleading.com

LGA Summer Camps The London Gymnastics Academy and London Heat Cheerleading offer funfilled, full and half-day summer camps at our new, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned facility. Athletes have an opportunity to bounce and tumble on our trampolines, play in the foam pits, swing on the bars, and test their balance on the beam.

The London Gymnastics Academy offers fun-filled summer camps in July and August for children and youth aged 4 to 15. Join the fun this summer!

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Star ‘Stangs honoured at Gala Submitted by the Western Mustangs After a decorated year of success for Mustangs was highlighted by a recordand white to their second straight Yates Western University’s Athletic Program, breaking achievement, as she became Cup, the Mitchell Bowl, and their second the Mustangs celebrated an incredible the first player in school history to be straight trip to the Vanier Cup. year at the 2019 Athletic Awards Gala named a First Team OUA All-Star in all five In her fourth season with the team, this spring. of her eligibility years.

Clark earned nearly every possible indiOn a night spent recognizing the Fraser Sopik (football) and April Clark vidual award, as she was named the OUA dedication of Western's athletes and (hockey) were named the Men's and Player of the Year, OUA Forward of the coaches, a variety of awards were preWomen's Athletes of the Year, respecYear, First Team OUA All-Star, and scored sented, including the Bronze ‘W’ Award, tively, as both athletes enjoyed dominant 33 points during the season to lead the team MVP Awards, the illustrious Purple seasons with their respective teams.

OUA. Blanket, the Claude Brown Trophy, the Throughout the season, Sopik was After a season filled with an array of FWP Jones Trophy, and the Athlete of the named OUA First Team All-Defence, Allindividual and team accomplishments, Year Awards.

Canadian First Team, U Sports Defensive the Gala served as the perfect way to Twelve athletes were awarded Player of the Year, and led the Mustangs’ celebrate the dedication and success of Western's Purple Blanket this year, as dominant defence in total tackles. all our student-athletes.

David Brown, Matthew Hooker, Jeff Sopik's efforts ultimately led the purple www.westernmustangs.ca Martin, Manraj Nijjar, Jack Sheffar, Dan Gleason, Helen He, Charis Huddle, Kristina Popadich, Julie Steffler, Caroline Stricelj, and Kelsey Veltman were honoured. The Purple Blanket has remained one of Western's most established athletic honours since 1949, as the award is reserved for student-athletes who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, achieved superior distinction at the Provincial/National level of competition during their careers at Western.

Sheffar and Veltman were Kelsey Veltman (Women's Volleyball) April Clarke (Women's Hockey) - Female Jack Sheffar (Cross Country / Track & Field) Fraser Sopik (Football) - Male Athlete honoured once again later in the F.W.P. Jones Trophy Winner Athlete of the Year Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy Winner of the Year evening with a pair of awards.

Sheffar took home the prestigious Claude Brown Trophy, which is presented to the Western male student-athlete who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, has made the greatest contribution to Intercollegiate Athletics within the University. Sheffar (cross country and track & field) earned the award due to a dominant senior season with the purple and white, as he earned a pair of OUA Championships before winning another two gold medals at the U Sports Championships.

Veltman (volleyball) was awarded the FWP Jones Trophy, presented to the athlete who made the greatest contribution to women's athletics during their years spent at Western.

Back Row ( Left to Right): Jeff Martin - Baseball, Jack Sheffar - Cross Country/Track & Field, Kelsey Veltman - Women's Volleyball, David Brown - Football, Matthew Hooker - Men's Volleyball and Caroline Stricelj - Track & Field. Front Row (Left to Right): Kristina Popadich - Cross Country/Track & Field, Veltman's final season with the Manraj Nijjar - Men's Lacrosse, Charis Huddle - Swimming, Daniel Gleason - Track & Field and Julie Steffler - Wrestling. Missing: Helen He - Tennis.

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Well-rounded learning Submitted by The Little Gym of London At the Little Gym, our efforts have always been to teach more than just a physical skill, like gymnastics, or learning a sport or some dance steps. One way we do this is to divide our school-year or summer lesson plans into ‘learning units.’ Each learning unit is three to four weeks, and it focuses on a certain skill or sets of skills so that students get time to master the skill. The learning unit is also theme-based to make the learning fun for the students (and each theme is age-appropriate).

An example of a Learning Unit for our PReK-1 (3yrs old) gymnastics program is ‘Healthy Chores For You And Yours,’ (weeks 27-30 in our season). During these particular four weeks of our season, we are teaching springboard and vault usage, backwards rolls, and introducing tumbling skills on the balance beam. But in addition to those physical skills, we present activities and games which will help the students understand the responsibilities they have as an individual to keep their body, home and world healthy and clean. The first week of the Healthy Chores learning unit (week 27 in our season) is ‘Great Gobs of Jobs’ where we talk specifically about different types of jobs that people do to make the world a happy and healthy place to live.

This is just an example of one age

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group within one program. All other reached at 519-642-0660. Check out programs including Sport Skills, Dance our reviews to see what everyone is and Parent-Child and Grade School are saying about us (we don’t screen out similarly organized and themed to pronegative reviews, so you will see them mote cognitive and emotional learning in all!): https://www.thelittlegym.com/ age-appropriate ways. Our lesson plans LondonON/customer-reviews. are constantly tweaked and updated to We hope to see you soon! keep them fresh and optimized for learnwww.tlglondoncan.com ing for today’s child.

Our year is broken into a 40-week School-Year Season and a 9-week Summer Session, with breaks for Christmas, March Break and the week of Labour Day. We also offer full and half-day Summer Camps, a SchoolReadiness program, Awesome Birthday Bashes, and Parent Survival Nights.

The Little Gym opened in September 2005, and it is located in Sherwood Forest Mall in London Ontario.

Check out our website at www.tlglondoncan. com or our Facebook page at The Little Gym The Little Gym of London combines the teaching of physical skills, like gymnastics, with teaching little ones about their world and preparing them with life skills that will benefit them (London). We can be throughout their lives

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World Championship Silver Medalists

Tryouts, training and more!

Submitted by Power Cheer Gym

TRYOUT and TRY-IT Time at Power Cheer Gym

the team earning a Silver Medal – finishing second to Thailand.

Though cheerleading is traditionally thought of as an autumn sport, modern competitive Power Cheer holds Try-it sessions May 12 and 13 and team selections May 21-23. PCG has teams for novice through elite, and it is never too ‘late’ to start in this athletic, competitive, fun and multi-skilled sport! For tryout dates by age, see the images here or contact PCG by email at PCG@powercheergym.com.

The Youngest Vipers

World Junior Cheerleading Championships

Team Canada Training Camp The two Premier Team Canada National teams held their pre-World Championships training camp at PCG in March. Though the entire weekend is cloaked in secrecy, a select group of local team members from the Team Canada Coed National Junior squad were given a sneak peak at this year’s routine. The expression on their faces says it all!

As coaches, there is nothing greater than watching our athletes fall in love with the sport of cheer. Our youngest vipers have worked incredibly hard all year long and we couldn’t be more proud of the passion, joy and overall athleticism that shines through each time they take the competition floor. What an absolutely wonderful season it has been! (from Mini Team Coach Jo)

www.powercheergym.com pcgvipers

@PCGVipers

In Orlando Florida, members of the Power Cheer Gym and Bluewater Cheer Athletics (Sarnia) represented Canada at the World Junior Cheerleading Championships. The team executed a near flawless routine in front of a packed HP Field House.

Competition from around the globe was strong, with World Junior Cheerleading Championships - Silver Medalists

Team Canada Training Camp

Mini ‘Mayhem’ at the 2019 Nationals

Pre-Nationals Sponsors and Parents Showcase Night

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Unforgettable cheer success Submitted by CheerStrike One of our must successful teams this season at CheerStrike has been our Junior level 3 team, Nobility. Since January, they have not left a competition without a firstplace finish. We are all so proud of their accomplishments. Coaches Kelly McNicoll and Alina Oliveira believe the team’s success comes from the athletes being determined and motivated and never giving excuses when put to the test.

“Their love and passion for the same sport is what makes them succeed,” said the coaches.

What does athlete Kate Robertson attribute the team’s success to? “It’s because

our amazing coaches have guided us through the ups and downs and we have overcome challenges we never thought we could,” she said.

Athlete Cailey Miller, meanwhile, believes it’s about the team bond. “It is like being on a team with all your best friends,” she said.

Kelly Yang, who is new to the Royal family this season, said the following: “What I’ve enjoyed most about being on Nobility is that everyone is so hard working and so encouraging, and they have been so welcoming from the minute I walked into the gym.”

A team mom, Crystal Ansems, has been a Royal mom for six years.

“This sport demands a great deal of commitment, which causes athletes and families to form lasting bonds,” she said.

“We are so proud to say we are CSR.” Another mom, Josephine Prince, explains why she has loved this season: “There is so much talent on this team.

All we want, as parents, is for our children to find their passion, and these athletes make us proud every time they hit the floor, whether it be at practice or a competition.”

www.cheerstrikeroyals.com

Team Nobility has had a season to remember, as the CheerStrike Royals Junior level 3 team has placed first at numerous competitions while also enjoying fantastic team comradery and creating a lot of great memories along the way

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Dancer Spotlight: Devon Snell Submitted by Dance Extreme and photos by Choi David, Peter Kelly and David Leyes Richelle Hirlehey, Assistant Director at Dance Extreme, caught up with former Dance Extreme graduate Devon Snell, now a professional Dance Artist. Mr. Snell began training at age 13 at Dance Extreme. Some say this is a late age to start, but Devon’s gift for moving proved his four years training at the studio fruitful. After high school, Mr. Snell moved on to train and perform at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (STDT) and the Toronto Dance Theatre Company (TDT).

Richelle: Tell me about your training at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre?

What dance forms, dance theory and experiences did you have?

Devon: The school pushed me technically in more ways than I knew possible.

Training included ballet, contemporary technique, and Graham Modern dance technique. We also studied music, dance history, anatomy, production and career paths. Perhaps most importantly, I learned there is so much more that goes into being a dancer than what can be seen physically. I am still learning to put myself in the headspace as a performer and artist and not solely see myself as just a dancer.

I learned a lot about my body and the ability to push myself to places I couldn’t even conceive of before. The first year was a very defining moment in my life.

It was the first time I felt that what I was doing was what I needed to do. I was introduced to many Toronto artists, and I went with other students to see performances of dance companies from around the world. This sparked my interests and showed me there is so much art being made around me. I made many friends

and acquired many mentors. This has been one of the biggest rewards of my time in Toronto.

During my final year, I was asked to intern with Toronto Dance Theatre Company and be a part of their 50th anniversary year. It was amazing! The company went on tour to Columbia and across Canada.

This was an opportunity few dancers experience until after they graduate. I grew in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I was solely in the training program. I was doing what I had been training to do earlier than had ever expected.

I learned a lot from both the program and the company, and I realize this more as time goes by.

Richelle: What would you say has challenged you the most as a professional dancer?

Devon: I think my own goals have challenged me the most. Knowing who I am as a dancer and where I want to go with my growth and development. I try my hardest to never compare myself to others, as that can be frightening and detrimental to my personal growth.

I used to struggle with trying to keep my life as a dancer a secret from people whom I thought would judge me or simply not understand. The truth is I am an artist, wherever I am, whatever I do and whomever I am with. It’s how I live my life at the moment and hope to for a very long time.

I try my hardest to not look at anything as a weakness, but as something that needs to be developed or further understood. This attitude heightens my curiosity and fuels the work that goes into growing and developing new strengths.

Lastly, I try to live in the present and experience everything that comes with performing live each night or even taking a class and rehearsing each day. Each [experience] is different and can benefit me in a different way.

The most enjoyable moments for me are the ones that are shared with my other fellow dancers.

Richelle: What keeps you motivated as a dancer?

Devon: Time and others keep

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me motivated. In reference to time, the fact that I have so much time to explore and investigate this art form is very exciting. But it can be very overwhelming at the same time. No one is telling me that I should be at a certain place, doing a specific thing by a certain age. My journey and my development are relative to my life – and my life alone. As I grow, I also become vastly invested in other disciplines of art.

My motivation is also fuelled by other talented artists. No artist is the same as another, and every artist brings something special to their medium. No matter the platform, there is a tremendous amount of knowledge that can be learned from simply being around other artists and collaborating with them. It’s very enriching and rewarding. And as the artists before me pass down their knowledge, I only hope that I can do the same for the next generation of artists.

Richelle: Looking back on your training as a child, what is one thing you’d like to share with younger athletes who are studio dancers?

Devon: Getting to know yourself is the biggest reward in life. Understanding yourself is quite complex and challenging. I think you should never be apologetic about who you are as a person and an artist.

I would say it's never too early to exercise your voice and ideas. Also, enjoy every moment of it. You never know how long it will last. Don’t be afraid to have other passions and interests. The more skills you can bring to your own creativity the better. Whatever direction or path you may choose, your own fulfillment is vital.

Lastly, be thankful for the ability to be able to move your body and experience connections with yourself and others on such a deep level – deeper than most people do. The knowledge that dancers have about the human body is powerful and privileged.

A tremendous thank you to Devon Snell for taking the time to share his personal experiences about his life as a professional dancer! We wish you a lifetime of creating and performing, Devon!

www.danceextreme.com

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Impacting dance for 30 years Contributions by Donna Bayley and Dance Steps Dance Steps is celebrating 30 years of dance this year in London, and since its inception in 1989 the organization has introduced well over 40,000 people to the athleticism and artistic component of dance.

Over the last three decades the Dance Steps studio has: Trained more than 6,000 people of all ages to dance; held more than 30 professional dance auditions at the facility; hosted more than 30 recitals; and presented 11 seasons of the traditional Nutcracker Ballet to the

London Community.

As part of a special 30th anniversary celebrations this year, aspiring young dancers – as well as adults and alumni – will descend upon the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre in London this June for a presentation called ‘I’d Rather Be Dancing 2019.’ The show will take place on Saturday, June 1 at 2:00pm and again at 7:00pm. All alumni are welcome to attend.

The two-hour show will entertain and delight the audience, as dancers present

ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, acro, hip hop and musical theatre numbers.

During the show, Dance Steps Company will present their annual production number to the theme of Aladdin.

Past production numbers include Wizard of Oz (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Where’s Waldo (2016), Little Mermaid (2015), the Muppets (2014), and Mary Poppins (2013). As in past years, the 2019 show will include stunning sets and props.

www.dancestepsldn.com

Mary Poppins (2013)

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Where’s Waldo (2016)

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Wizard of Oz (2018)

Aladdin (this year’s theme, 2019)

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All about recovery Contributions by Matt Sanchez & Mari Udarbe the clinic has partnered with the London Nationals to provide physiotherapy and concussion management care.

What is NeuroChangers? First and foremost, the company, which was founded in 2010, specializes in rehabilitation for people living with the effects of complex neurological and/or orthopaedic injuries and illness. Through a combination of expert Physiotherapists, Adaptive Fitness Trainers, and specialized rehabilitative equipment, NeuroChangers can work with any level of neurological or orthopaedic injury.

There are four locations, with London being the newest addition to the NeuroChangers community (the others are in Toronto, Whitby and Durham). Why the Western Fair Sports Centre?

Mari Udarbe is the clinic director at the “We have strategically NeuroChangers’ London location, which is located in the Western Fair Sports Centre placed our clinics in sports

NeuroChangers has come to London. In fact, upon opening in September 2018, the facility became the first and only physiotherapy clinic located in the Western Fair Sports Centre. Since opening, the clinic has been serving the rehabilitation needs of Londoners (with services including laser therapy, acupuncture, sports rehab, and more), and has also been working with participants of the Academy of Student Athlete Development, which operates in conjunction with the Thames Valley District School Board. Additionally,

Matt Sanchez (left) with brothers John and Chris

complexes and aligned ourselves with elite partners so that we may always provide the most advanced rehabilitation possible – for the elite athlete, the weekend warrior, and the non-athlete looking to stay active,” says Matt Sanchez, who is a clinic director and owner of NeuroChangers. “We utilize the latest research to determine the best plan of care and implement the newest technologies to optimize recovery.”

The London location is focused primarily on helping people return to sport/ work/daily function post-injury and optimize their performance. Mari Udarbe is the clinic director in London. She is a registered physiotherapist and a graduate of the School of Medical Rehabilitation at the University of Manitoba (2011) “I am an advocate for movement as therapy and as a way of life,” says Udarbe.

“Engaging the public in movement is important, especially in increasing awareness about the benefits of physiotherapy and injury prevention.”

For questions or appointment bookings, e-mail mari@neurochangers.ca!

www.neurochangers.ca

London's Advanced Sports Rehab Team Offers: • • • • • • •

Physiotherapy Sports Injury Recovery Concussion Management Concussion Baseline Testing Acupuncture Taping Bracing Western Fair Sports Centre: 865 Florence Street London, ON N5W 6G6 (519) 204 – 0200 • london@neurochangers.ca www.neurochangers.ca/london www.facebook.com/neurochangerslondon

Call today and ask about our free consultation!

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Proudly sponsored by

Heating, air conditioning and…sports!

By SportsXpress Team The staff at Roy Inch & Sons Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in London take great pride in being experts in their field and performing high-quality HVAC repairs and installations – when their customers need it most. In other words, they perform well under pressure and thrive on coming through in the clutch – much like athletes do in the world of sports.

It just so happens that the Roy Inch & Sons staff is filled with people passionate about sports. They are coaches,

administrators and people still enjoying the games they love. That has been a constant at the company, which has also sponsored numerous local sports teams over the years. And it all starts at the top. General Manager Peter Inch is arguably London’s biggest backer of one of Canada’s most popular sports: curling.

Last fall, Inch was inducted as a builder into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame for his significant work ‘behind the scenes’ to help grow the game in Canada. Inch chaired the host committee

When they’re not working, the staff at Roy Inch & Sons Service Experts in London are active and passionate about sports…

Front row (left to right): Peter Inch, Rob Coto, Craig Hern, Dan frontera , Mat Carter, Josh Bettencourt, Dave Sherwin, Steve Gilbert. Middle row: Corey Cabral, Marcus Disomone, Said Omar, Milton Portillo, Krys Kowalski, Nathan Crandall, Tyson Groot, Greg Murray, Hayden Dyson, Brandon Baldwin. Back row: Mary Pabstel, Audrey Winter, Jeff Manchen, John Hoekstra, Jason Kobal, Nate Bernard, Luke Hallum, Jordan Martens, Jesse Wilson, Richard Scott

Putting players first Submitted by London Minor Football Association With the fall football season not too far away, the London Minor Football Association will once again lead the way in innovative rule changes to keep the

LMFA player Jackson Ertl

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Joe Townsley of the LMFA’s Red Storm

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game safe for its players. As a house league, the focus of our players and coaches is on player development and safety – instead of wins and losses.

In 2018, the LMFA made the decision to eliminate all special teams from the games. This was done because the kickoff and kick return plays are full speed plays that take a lot of time and effort to train for properly. Eliminating these plays means that coaches have more time to concentrate on fundamental offensive and defensive skills. In other words, teams focus on safe contact and safe blocking instead of kicking plays.

for the 2002 Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Championships in St. Thomas, and helped organize the 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts and the 2011 Tim Hortons Brier – all championship events in London.

Said Inch upon learning of his induction: “My goal has always been to make a difference in the curling community. I feel extremely humbled and honoured to receive this recognition.”

Inch’s next event? The 2020 Continental Cup, which will be returning to London next year. Inch is serving as the Vice Chair and, not surprisingly, his staff is rallying around him once again and getting behind curling. Not to mention all the other sports they’ve involved in.

“I believe there is much to learn [as a business] from being active in the sports world,” says Inch, who has spent 41 years at Roy Inch & Sons, the awardwinning company that his grandfather founded in 1927. “I truly believe in team dynamics, both in the sports world and, just as important, in operating a successful business.”

www.royinch.com Meanwhile, punting and extra point kicks were eliminated to facilitate the change from three practices per week to two practices per week. The league wants to make sure that players have time for other activities and sports, and this also allows teams more time to bond with team-building events and community service activities.

This summer, LMFA will host the 2nd annual Quarterback passing camp for aspiring quarterbacks and receivers, while a brand-new lineman camp will also start up (both at Centrefield Sports).

Fall registration for London and area's only house league football season is open online for everyone ages 7 to 13 until July 1. Please visit www.lmfafootball.ca or call 519-852-4465 for more information.

www.lmfafootball.ca

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LONDON BLUE DEVILS FIELD LACROSSE TEAMS TRAVEL TO INDIANA Our U10, U12, and U14 teams traveled to the Rip the Duck tournament in South Bend, Indiana to compete against some of the top US field teams. This is the first year we have decided to run a club team format and play in US tournaments. We feel this will help develop our players to the highest caliber and assist them in getting some exposure south of the border. Our field Teams are made up of London area kids as well as players from Kitchener, Sarnia, Windsor, and Wallaceburg.

In addition to the tournament, kids were able to tour the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse facilities and campus as well as take in the Notre Dame vs. Cornell game.

At the end of April, our teams will travel to Michigan to compete in the Big Blue tournament.

www.londonlacrosse.com

LMFA Tyke All-Stars

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The LMFA Peewee All-Stars

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Hustle, youth spark Bolts Submitted by the London Lightning The 2018-2019 season came to an end for the London Lightning in April after a first-round playoff loss against the KW Titans. After stretching the series out to a deciding game 5, the Bolts couldn’t close out the series with a win. But regardless of the early playoff exit, there were plenty of positives to take away from this past season.

One of the highlights was the performance of a pair of young players who were recruited prior to the season: Xavier Moon and Anthony Gaines Jr. (AJ Gaines).

Moon, 24, and Gaines, 25, brought some youth to a team with an average age of

28. But despite being the youngest players on the roster, they showed great play in their first year.

During the regular season, Xavier Moon averaged 14.3 points per game (ppg) on 50% shooting, including 39.6% from three-point range. He also compiled 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. AJ Gaines, meanwhile, averaged 14 ppg on 53.5% shooting, including an impressive 49.2% mark from three-point range on 1.5 attempts per game. He also tallied 5.6 rebounds and an assist per game. Perhaps most impressive about the duo’s scoring is that they achieved their numbers with relatively low shot totals (11.5 per game for Moon and 10 for Gaines).

Moon was known for his speed and playmaking, as he regularly drove past defenders on offense and chased down opponents on defense. Though he began the year in the starting One of the many bright spots for the London Lightning during the 2018-19 season was the performance of young players Xavier Moon, 24, and AJ Gaines, 25, who improved throughout the year and lineup, an injury

and a discussion with head coach Elliott Etherington prompted Moon to move to the bench to provide a spark of energy for the Lightning’s second unit.

In AJ Gaines, the Lightning had a huge fan favourite this season, not only for his energy and effort on the court, but also for his highlight reel dunks and putbacks. Gaines played every game with energy, hustle, and heart. He crashed the boards, harassed opposing teams on defense, and improved throughout the season on the offensive side, shooting and making more three-pointers and racking up more points as the year went on.

Both Moon and Gaines were top performers for the Lightning, and the team is looking forward to what they will bring to the court in the future. They were a huge part of London’s success down the stretch as the team climbed the standings to reach first place in the division after a slow start.

The Lightning want to thank all of their staff and volunteers for making each game possible. Most importantly, they’d like to thank the fans for supporting the team year in and year out. Stay tuned to the team’s website and social media accounts for information about events during the summer and updates for next season!

Teen is right on target

out? It all began, she says, after watching the movie ‘Narnia’ as a child.

“I would pick up sticks on my way home from school to make my own bow and arrows, and I practiced inside our home,” Ryli Vallière, 17, earned two bronze medals in archery at the Canada she says. “My mom Games this past winter promised to enroll me in archery lessons as long as I would stop shooting inside the house …”

Last year, Vallière placed 1st at the Ontario Target Championships and Ontario 10 Ring Championships, and won silver at the Canadian Indoor Championships.

posted impressive stat lines in their first season in London

By SportsXpress Team and photo by Lee Friesen Ryli Vallière had an exciting winter.

The 17-year-old CCH Crusader athlete competed at the Canada Games in Red Deer, AB in late February/early March – and she came away with a pair of medals around her neck.

Representing Team Ontario in the archery events at the Canada Games (held Feb. 15 - March 3), Valliere earned bronze medals in both the Individual Recurve event and the Mixed Team Recurve event.

Vallière impressed right away, posting the second-highest point total (1,053) over the two qualification rounds, trailing

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only Marie-Ève Gélinas (Trois-Rivières, QC), the eventual gold-medal winner.

Vallière won her quarter-final match, 6-0, over Aliqa Mara Piers (Fredericton, N.B.). After a tough loss in the semi-finals against Adi Shapira (Kerrisdale, BC), Vallière was victorious in the bronzemedal matchup, winning 6-0 over Jay Gegner (Regina, SK).

Alongside teammate Reece WilsonPoyton (St. Catherines, ON) in the Mixed Team Recurve, the pair earned bronze with a 6-4 win over Alberta.

Ryli Vallière is certainly a rising star in the archery world. How did she first start

www.lightningbasketball.ca

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On-ice emergency action Submitted by London 911 Hockey

The Rangers (sponsored by Shantz Orthotics) were the winning team in this year’s London 911 Hockey League: Front Row (left to right): Craig Mackay, Pete Desjardins, Jason Bod, Matt Close. Back Row: Jeff Hare, Nic Vernon, Alex Clements, Todd Stewart, Chris Hare, Sean Van Alphen, Justin Peters, Dave Boric, Tyler Prior, Kevin Hare

It was another fun and successful year on the ice for the London 911 Hockey League, which is an emergency services league that has been operating in London for the last 17 years. The league is made up of police officers, firefighters, medics, doctors and nurses from London and the surrounding area, and it’s one of strong camaraderie, as teams are re-drafted each season to encourage friendships and teamwork between all the services. Games are played at the Western Fair Sports Centre on Tuesdays from the fall to the spring.

At the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, which wrapped up in early April, it was the Shantz Orthotics Rangers who captured the ‘A’ championship, beating a depleted Central SKIN Leafs team, 4-1, in the final. Tied 1-1 for much of the game, the Rangers knocked home two goals late in the contest, and then added an emptynetter to seal the deal, defending their league title in the process.

Trailing 1-0, Jeff Hare put the Rangers on the board to tie things at 1-1. Kevin Hare made it 2-1 and Chris Hare made it 3-1 before Nic Vernon capped things off with an empty-net goal in the waning seconds.

Meanwhile, the Sharks earned the ‘B’ championship title with a 5-4 win over the Hawks.

Current sponsors for the six-team league include Joe Kool’s, Herm’s Sports, Spartan Nutrition, Shantz Orthotics, Central SKIN Clinic and Snipe Academy.

www.london911hockey.com

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teamprofiles

Excellence starts behind bench Submitted by the London Nationals Pat Powers has led the London Nationals to the Sutherland Cup semi-finals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) each of the past three seasons as the team’s general manager and head coach.

As a player, he spent four seasons playing university hockey (CIS) with St. Thomas University and then another four seasons of Minor Pro hockey before getting into coaching. Powers has had a coaching role for the past 12 years as the head men’s hockey coach for St. Thomas University and then as assistant men’s hockey coach for Western University in London.

He outlines his coaching philosophy as one that has teaching and accountability at the forefront of his priorities.

“Every hockey player has the ability to

The London Nationals have a strong leader in Pat Powers, the team’s general manager and head coach

learn, contribute and improve their skillset,” Powers says, “and I think if you are able to reach and teach all these kids, in their own individual way that they need it, it works well for the team as a whole.”

Powers runs the London Nationals with the knowledge and experiences he gained within university hockey and his other extensive personal experiences throughout the sport.

“I monitor our program as close to an OHL team or a university program as it possibly can,” Powers says. “When kids come out of our program, they have experienced good coaching, structure, and received the discipline that allows them to be successful for the next step.”

Over the past nine seasons, the Nationals have sent a combined 24 players to the OHL, U Sports, or the NCAA. Meanwhile, they’ve consistently been a successful team in the GOJHL playoffs. This year, the Nationals won their fourth straight Western Conference championship.

“I would be naive to think it was all ownership and coaching that leads to our success,” says Powers. “Our city’s proximity certainly benefits our team, but I also think our success breeds future success, too. We hold our players accountable and we treat them well. I think our high expectations guide our program.”

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The Nationals, like many other teams in the GOJHL, are always building and changing their roster as the years pass by. This season, the Nationals have nine players who will age out of junior hockey, which will give plenty of opportunity for the program to see new growth and development. However, the goal is always the same for Powers and the rest of the Nationals organization.

“Championships,” the coach says, without pause. “It’s as simple as that.

We want to win every year. I think a lot of people see that we have a level of perseverance throughout the year and will get to where we want to go. And it’s the fans that have acknowledged that as season ticket holders.”

Speaking of tickets, the Nationals currently have an ‘Early Bird’ Season Ticket deal for the 2019/2020 season with tickets costing $125 for an individual or $100 for a student/senior (the deal provides fans with up to $50 in savings).

The Nationals organization promotes a real tight-knit family program that people consistently enjoy supporting.

The amount of time and effort put forth by owner Ken Eansor, the coaching staff, volunteers, and players allows for the organization’s success to be acknowledged – and expected.

www.londonnationals.on.ca

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sportsfiles

Making noise in the playoffs

By Dave Ferguson and photos by Komoka Kings The Komoka Kings had a good run during this year’s GOJHL playoffs, making it to the Western Conference semi-finals for the first time in their 21-year history.

The Kings opened the postseason with a best-of-seven series against the Chatham Maroons, which started back on February 28. There was no love between these two teams during the regular season, during which the Maroons finished in third place in the conference while the Kings were sixth.

The Kings took a more aggressive style of game into the playoffs, and it quickly translated into a 2-1 win in their first game against the Maroons. Despite being the underdogs, the Kings went on to win the opening-round playoff series four games to one.

It was an outcome not anticipated by the Maroons, whose lone win in the series came in Game 2, a 7-4 win in

Komoka. But the Kings took the next three games, two of them in Chatham, to win the series 4-1 and move on to the semi-finals to play the first-place Leamington Flyers.

In that series, the Flyers flew out of the gates and took the first game from the Kings, 4-0, at home. Then it was off to Komoka on March 16, where the Kings put together one of their best games of the 2018-19 season. The Komoka team pulled out all the stops and handed the Flyers a 3-2 defeat to tie the series.

The Kings then went on to dominate the next two games and step ahead of the Flyers with a surprising 3-1 series lead. Sadly, the gas ran out of the tank, as the Flyers came back to tie and eventually win the series, 4-3, to move on to face the London Nationals in the conference final (there, the Nationals won their fourth straight division title).

The sixth-seeded Komoka Kings enjoyed a successful postseason run in 2018-19, winning their first series and nearly knocking off the top-ranked Leamington Flyers in the Western Conference semi-finals

“The boys knew this was the top team in our division, and they remained focused,” said Ron Horvat, the team’s head coach. “They executed everything as practiced and instructed. I’m very proud of the boys. They were a young team to get this far in the playoffs.”

“We’re proud of what the players accomplished during the regular season and the playoffs,” said Kings owner and GM Roop Chanderdat. “They’ve continued to grow together as a young team, and a fair number of the players will likely be returning next season, which will give us something to build upon.”

One of those players, Ryan McAllister, who was acquired late in the season, has accepted a full scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Michigan.

“We’re very proud of Ryan,” Chanderdat said. “We wish him well in his journey.”

Finally, the owner and GM also recognized those off the ice who helped the Kings achieve success in 2018-19.

“I want to thank all the fans and volunteers for their support throughout the season. The Kings have the best fans in the league, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

www.komokakings.com

FOR AN IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION CALL 519 661 - 6895

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sportsfiles

Training leads to player success Contributions by Snipe Academy The Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (EMC) Major Midget team succeeded in every facet of the game in 2018-19, and as a result their strong play earned them an Alliance league championship, as they defeated the Waterloo Wolves for the honours (capping the series off with a 7-1 win in Game 5) before moving on to the Telus Cup Regional Midget AAA Championships.

Besides teamwork, strong coaching and smart team strategy, Head Coach Dave Warren says that training at Snipe Academy this year (shooting and scoring development) really helped players improve the offensive side of their games.

“Our weekly sessions at Snipe significantly contributed to our offensive output this season,” Warren said. “Our players’ shooting accuracy, with quicker release, as well as a better ‘feel’ for the puck while stickhandling have made us a better hockey team.”

Two players who certainly took advantage of their training at Snipe Academy (the rapid shot team program) and have positioned themselves to have successful hockey careers include Connor Olson and Jacob Chantler. Olson was recently drafted by the Erie Otters 3rd overall in the 2019 OHL Player Priority Selection, while Chantler went 19th overall to the hometown London Knights.

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Olson, a 17-year-old defenseman, is a smart two-way player who has a hard, accurate shot from the point, and he knows when to sneak ‘back door’ as a pass option. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he played for the London Jr. Knights for seven years (Minor Atom to Minor Midget).

After breaking his arm a few years ago, he began attending the Total Package Hockey Training Centre to rebuild muscle and strength. This year, within the Thames Valley District School Board, he enrolled at the Academy for Sports and Athletic Development (ASAD) where he trained every morning. Meanwhile, along with regular practices with the Chiefs, he worked on his shooting at Snipe Academy.

“The training factored into building my strength, flexibility, quick starts, improved stick handling, and shot accuracy,” says Olson.

Chantler, a 16-year-old forward, plays a tough game but with superior hockey IQ. He is a great teammate and is very coachable – and he has a great shot, which he works on at Snipe Academy.

Since he’s a strong Connor Olson

presence in front of the net, particularly on powerplays, he also works on tight scoring and details like tipping pucks and shooting from odd angles.

Starting hockey at age 5, he played three years with the Oakridge Aeros and then seven years with the London Jr. Knights. The St. Thomas Aquinas student was an affiliated player (AP) for the London Nationals in his Minor Midget season and an AP for the Strathroy Rockets this year.

Besides working on his shot at Snipe Academy in-season and during the offseason summer months, Chantler is also a junior coach at the facility, which means he helps coach young kids at the Academy.

Both these players are great representatives of Snipe Academy and both have promising futures in hockey!

www.snipeacademy.com

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Jacob Chantler

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Familiar territory for Juniors

By Connor Loucks and photos by London Knights In what has become a near yearly tradition at Budweiser Gardens, the London Knights capped off a dynamic season of dominance with a 1st-place finish in the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference.

Expectations for the team were somewhat hedged prior to the beginning of the season. But coming off a 2017-2018 in which the Knights stumbled to a 1-9-00 start before rounding into form for a fourth-place finish and a first-round exit at the hounds of the Owen Sound Attack, there was significant pressure for this year's iteration to pick up the slack and get the team back to the Promised Land.

This year’s Knights faced a similar problem to last year’s squad out of the gate, as star players Evan Bouchard and Alex Formenton were absent at the beginning of the season while they attempted to crack the NHL rosters of the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators, respectively.

Both players managed to score their first NHL goals before being sent back down for one more year of junior hockey seasoning. Without their two longesttenured stars, the Knights treaded water, staying above .500 while integrating new players like Antonio Stranges and Adam Boqvist, with established returnees such as Connor McMichael and Alec Regula.

Once they had their full lineup together,

though, the team never looked back, racing to first place in the West on the back of a 15-game winning streak that stretched the entire month of November.

Over the course of the season, the Knights had several players produce standout performances. Notably, Adam Boqvist scored 20 regular season goals as a first-year defenseman in the OHL, Liam Foudy produced a remarkable 10game goal-scoring streak, and 17-yearold Connor McMichael led the team in scoring with an eye-popping 72 points in 68 games, vaulting him up many draft boards.

Maybe the most statistically amazing season, however, came from over-

age trade deadline acquisition Kevin Hancock, who after starting the season in Owen Sound, produced 45 points in just 33 games with the Knights, bringing his season long totals to 52 goals and 107 points.

Simply put, the Knights put together a season which, for most franchises, would be one for the record books. For this franchise, however, a 46-win campaign is only good enough for an 11th all-time best record. But after a season (in 201718) which saw the Knights produce their worst record since 2011, it was certainly relieving to the see the team back on top, in familiar territory.

www.londonknights.com

The London Knights flipped the script in 2018-19, rebounding from a subpar season a year ago to dominate the OHL’s Western Conference this season, finishing atop the Conference during the regular season – and only behind the East’s Ottawa 67s overall.

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sportsfiles

Smart training to avoid injury Submitted by Pro Function Sports Injury Clinic For young athletes, organized sport is an opportunity to build confidence, discover interests, and develop habits for an active/athletic lifestyle that will carry them forward into their adult life.

But there is also the possibility that their burgeoning lifestyle can be set back by acute or chronic injuries that take the fun out of playing their favourite sport and limit their progress. At Pro Function Sports Injury Clinic, our goal is to help prevent those injuries from happening, and one of the ways we do that is by training athletes to maximize their performance.

Maximizing Sports Performance When you think about injury prevention, you might not immediately think of sports performance. But effective injury prevention starts with setting athletes up for success by helping them establish healthy movement patterns that both

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help them perform at their best and avoid If you are a coach or parent who wants excessive wear and tear on their joints to make sure your child is getting the and muscles. most success out of their sports experiOur team at Pro Function uses a combi- ence, give us a call or email and we can nation of sport-specific testing and indiset up a time to discuss your child’s vidualized assessments (conducted both needs. 519-860-5090 or pre-season, in-season, and post-season) info@profunction.ca. that identify strength deficits and dewww.profunction.ca ficient patterns of movement. We then prescribe team-based and individual take-home exercises that are tailored to the specific demands of the athlete’s sport. These exercises incorporate strength & conditioning, mobility, and movement-based training. Assessments can be conducted either on-site at your training facility or at our Centrefield Sports Chiropractors Dr. Jordan Kersten and Dr. Joseph Greenwood conduct shoulder stability location. training with a competitive volleyball team

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