SportsXpress Waterloo Mar/Apr 2016

Waterloo Region SportsXpress @KWSportsXpress @KWSportsXpress

KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club hosts Ontario’s best Cover story on Page 20 Photo by Kyle Rodriguez from Artifacts for Life Photography

Spring into Sports with

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

CHOOSE A LEAGUE OF YOUR OWN ...

1

Mention this ad and receive a 15% discount off your next regularly priced purchase.

2

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

editor’s note Welcome to SportsXpress, a magazine all about local sports — the players, teams, families, volunteers and fans. We publish real life stories on the full range of community sports and include all ages and skill levels.

Every fan, parent, and sports enthusiast can participate by sharing their experiences with other fans.

MARCH/APRIL 2016 Waterloo Region Edition

thelineup

We want to make SportsXpress your magazine and www.SportsXpress.ca your website, by sending in your comments, story ideas, opinions, articles and photos. Get in the game with us and be connected with your local community sports!

behindthebench

Tips, tactics and ideas are shared by athletes, coaches and fans.

03 | Hosting help is just a call away!

08 | Skills Plus Hockey

Give us a call at (519) 208-9302 or 1 (877) 588-8856 or email us at Brad@SportsXpress.ca or ErinK@SportsXpress.ca - from the SportsXpress team

health&fitness

Informative articles on sports health & fitness.

10 | Skate treadmill training

sportsfiles

behindthebench

Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams.

Hosting help is just a call away!

05 | 06 | 07 |

09 |

13 | 14 | 16 | 18 |

20 |

Do you host a tournament every year and would like to add more teams? Are you looking to host one but don’t know where to start? Want to submit a bid for your organization to host a provincial or national event but unsure of the bidding process? The best place to start would be to contact the Regional Sport Tourism Office (RSTO) and let us help.

The RSTO is focused on working together with community sport organizations, partners in tourism and the municipalities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph. Our objective is to increase the profile and support given to current sports events and to attract more events to the area by capitalizing on the great facilities, volunteers and knowledge of our sport community. We can assist you in securing hotel bookings for visiting teams, identify banquet or social event options, and create welcome packages with special offers for local tourist attractions. We work together with organizations on grant submissions and event bids by utilizing bid templates, helping secure bid fees and garnering local support.

We can also share industry best practices and conduct research to help you decide how to include event hosting in your club or organization’s strategic planning. The possibilities of our assistance to you are endless!

Corner Brook — here we come!

Spring into sports with CARL! WATERLOO’S OWN PickHub — Balancing Your Sports and Your Life for a Win/Win Register now for City of Waterloo programs!

K-W Vipers compete across the province The 3v3 Kumar Classic Grand River Soccer’s Kick4aCure 2016 Region of Waterloo Swim Club sends 6 athletes to the Olympic and Paraswimming Trials KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club hosts Ontario’s best

sportnews

Up-to-date information on what is happening.

22 | More sports updates from KSA

teamprofiles

Profiling community sports in words and photographs.

Hosting an event that you’d love us to promote or work together on? Please share with us through email at info@sporttourismoffice.ca or contact Sherry Doiron at 519-271-7000 extension 201. We look forward to sharing your events and further sport-hosting advice in future editions of SportsXpress!

12 | KW Vipers successful throughout the 2015-16 season 17 | 50 years of girls’ softball in Kitchener

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

3

Check out our website at www.WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

March/April 2016 OWN ERS Brad Eason

A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR ADULT SURVIVORS OF ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

Brad@SportsXpress.ca 519-208-9302 ext. 201 Erin Kummer ErinK@SportsXpress.ca 519-208-9302 ext. 202

EDITOR Gord Dearborn GRAPHIC DESIGN Alyssa MacLeod CONTRIBUTORS The coaching staff of the Waterloo

Major Peewee Wolves, Kitchener Jr Rangers Minor Atom MD Red, U. of Waterloo Athletics, the Kitchener Sports Association, G&G Skate Training Centre, KW Youth Basketball, Grand River Soccer, ROW Swim Club, the Cambridge YMCA, KW Minor Boys Softball, Eric Calder, Elite Athletes International, various sports enthusiasts in the community and the SportsXpress team.

PARTNERSHIP Ajax/Pickering EDITIONS Brant County

Guelph Kingston London Niagara Oshawa-Whitby Southern Counties Windsor

Belleville/Quinte Chatham/Kent Hamilton Lloydminster Mississauga Northumberland Peterborough Waterloo Region

PARTNERSHIP Contact SportsXpress at: INQUIRY 1.877.588.8856 or

email Sales@sportsxpress.ca

NATIONAL AND 1-877-588-8856 REGIONAL SALES

Alfran Trophies and Awards is a full service awards company providing trophies, plaques and medallions in both large and small quantities for companies, teams and leagues that need to recognize achievements. Our employees take great pride in providing competitive pricing without compromising quality or speed of service.

We at Alfran Trophies invite you to contact us for any of your needs, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can provide you with the most competitively priced items.

CONTACT US AT:

alfantrophies@yahoo.ca OR 519-897-4891

PRESIDENT/CEO Walter Browning walter@sportsxpress.ca

VP OPERATIONS Clint Szakacs clint@sportsxpress.ca

BRANTFORD XCELERATOR 226-227-2102 MAILING ADDRESS 50 Ottawa St. South, Unit 110, Kitchener, On N2G 3S7 519-208-9302 or 1-877 588-8856 Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. 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. SportsXpress is published six times per year. Sports Express Media Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for Sports Express Media Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary.

However the editors, contributors and Sports Express Media Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

celerator

TM

centre

Coaching • Administration • Technology

4

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

sportsfiles

Corner Brook — here we come!

A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR ADULT SURVIVORS OF ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

In January 2015, local athletes attended the Special Olympics Winter Provincial Games in North Bay. Six athletes from the Snowshoe Club and the Nordic Ski Club qualified to be part of Team Ontario at the Special Olympics Winter National Games 2016 in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

The National Games act as a qualifier for the 2017 World Winter Games in Austria.

Special Olympics K-W Snowshoe athletes Brian Wetzler, Peter Snider, Andrew Johnston and Chris Litwiller competed in snowshoeing. All four achieved personal best times en route to earning gold medals in their events.

Proudly supported by

Alfran Trophies and Awards is a full service awards company providing trophies, plaques and medallions in both large and small quantities for companies, teams and leagues that need to recognize achievements. Our employees take great pride in providing competitive pricing without compromising quality or speed of service.

Chris — gold in the 10-kilometre!

Scott Mitchell frominvite K-W We at Alfran Trophies you toNordic contact us forSki any ofClub your needs, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can provide you with the most competitively priced items.

Allie Libertini and Scott Mitchell from the Special Olympics K-W Nordic Ski Club also qualified to compete at the Nationals for Team Ontario. Allie competes in the 100-metre, 500-metre and 1-kilometre events while Scott is in the 100 and 500-metre races.

CONTACT US AT:

alfantrophies@yahoo.ca OR 519-897-4891

Brian Wetzler raced in the 10-Kilometre — his time of 57:30.60 won gold!

Peter Snider in the 100-metre race — 00:15.93 earned him gold! In the 200-metre race, his time of 00:35.08 was also golden!

Andrew Johnston won gold medals in the 800-metre (04:31.72) and 1,600-metre races.

Chris Litwiller won gold in the 10-Kilometre (01:26:08.64) and 5-kilometre (41:21.19)

Allie Libertini from K-W Nordic Ski Club

The K-W Snowshoe Team Chris and Brian with their gold medals

Peter — gold in the 100-metre!

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

5

sportsfiles

Spring into sports with CARL!

519.884.5363 carl@waterloo.ca

CHOOSE A LEAGUE OF YOUR OWN ...

START TIMES

GAMES

TEAM PRICE

SOLO

COURT SPORTS Men’s Recreational Basketball

Tuesdays

7:15 pm, 8:15 pm

12

$830.55

$115.26

Pickleball

Mondays

7:15 pm, 8:15 pm

60 mins match play

$215.00

$115.26

Co-ed 5-A-Side Soccer

Tuesdays

7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm

16 NEW

$1,139.01

$162.71

Open Full Field Soccer

Wednesdays

7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm, 10 pm

16 NEW

$2,162.07

$218.48

Men’s 5-A-Side Soccer

Thursdays

7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm

16 NEW

$1,139.01

$162.71

Mon & Wed

6 pm - 11:30 pm

12

$2,400.13

$239.55

INDOOR FIELDHOUSE SPORTS

ICE SPORTS Men’s Recreational Hockey (Officiated) OUTDOOR SPORTS Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee

Sundays

5 pm, 6:30 pm

12

$700.00

$87.50

55+ Daytime Slo-Pitch NEW

Tuesdays

11 am-12:30 pm

10

$800.00

$80.00

Co-ed Slo-Pitch

Mon/Wed

6:30 pm, 8 pm, 9:30 pm

16

$1,695.00

$169.49

Tues/Thurs

6:30 pm, 8 pm, 9:30 pm

16

$1,695.00

$169.49

Fridays

6:30 pm, 8 pm, 9:30 pm

16 NEW

$1,695.00

$169.49

Men’s Slo-Pitch

Sundays

5 pm, 6:30 pm, 8 pm, 9:30 pm

13 + tourney

$1,695.00

$169.49

Co-Ed Beach Volleyball

Mondays

6:30 pm

24 + tourney (2 games/night)

$867.84

$120.90

Tuesdays

6:30 pm

24 + tourney (2 games/night)

$867.84

$120.90

Wednesdays

6:30 pm

24 + tourney (2 games/night)

$867.84

$120.90

Thursdays

6:30 pm

24 + tourney (2 games/night)

$867.84

$120.90

No umpires

Co-ed and Men’s Slo-Pitch is governed by SPN; included in registration price

All CARL Beach Volleyball is 6 on 6 and includes a mid-season tournament

2016

SPRING/ SUMMER

Slo-Pitch/Ultimate Frisbee/Soccer: start in May Pickleball/Basketball/Ice Hockey: start in June

Prices include tax

EARLY BIRD DRAW! Register before or on March 25th to have your TEAM put in a draw for one of two $200 TEAM registration rebates or have your NAME put in for one of four $25 FREE AGENT registration rebates (no cash value).

COMMUNITY ADULT RECREATION LEAGUES facebook.com/communityadultrecreationleagues

6

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

waterloo.ca/CARL

sportsfiles

WATERLOO’S OWN PickupHub — Balancing Your Sports and Your Life for a Win/Win Submitted By Jim Zuber – Supervisor, Leisure Active Living Programs – City of Waterloo

The saying goes, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Well, the City of Waterloo and a local business have paired up forces and are working together on a new and innovative platform revolutionizing the front end delivery of pickup sports. Leisure & Active Living staff at RIM Park recognize and respect your need to balance your personal and business commitments by giving you the best of both worlds.

PickupHub removes the usual guesswork of participation involved with a typical sports drop-in-program.

About Waterloo’s Own PickupHub: The PickupHub platform helps people participate in team sports on a game-by-game basis by connecting players of similar sport interest in advance of game day. Upcoming games, whether soccer, basketball, volleyball or shinny hockey, are posted online and interested players can reserve their spots on one of the teams. Interested players can view all the activities and select playing dates, times and locations of play that work for their schedule. WATERLOO’S OWN PickupHub includes: • Pay-per-play, no entire season or long-term commitment • Quick, easy, secure online payment • Play with people of equal skill, age, gender • Know the number of participants playing in advance • More spontaneous and flexible scheduling of games • Play with your friends and meet new players: teams constantly change • Customize your account to “Fan” or “Favourite” with other players to obtain automated notification when those players sign up for their next game.

• General program equipment is provided and activity is monitored by friendly sports-minded resource staff

Drop-in

WATERLOO’S OWN PickupHub Requires easy account setup and pre-commitment (Player names and total player attendance are visible online)

No advance commitment

Participation numbers are not guaranteed

Appropriate participation numbers (We establish minimums and maximums for game value)

Games are in a pre-set schedule

More flexible and dynamic game schedule

Regular and returning players

Attract new players, creating more varied teams

Pay online to guarantee your spot in advance. (Prices for PickupHub games are approximately 15% higher to cover organizational costs of the higher service level)

Maintaining client accounts allows us two-way communication with our clients and provides program information and promotions

Our personal experience with PickupHub to date has been fantastic and its program development team have been extremely responsive to our recreational needs. RIM Park’s Leisure & Active Living staff plan to continue expanding WATERLOO’S OWN PickupHub Program portfolio over the coming months. While this program has been great for adults, Waterloo also recognizes the opportunity to keep our community youth involved in sport. We will be introducing Youth PickupHub Game access by Summer 2016. This development will provide parents with the ability to plan a variety of youth related PickupHub sport activities in advance.

As recreation industry professionals, we have a responsibility to the public to maximize the use of our facilities and assist the community in healthy lifestyle choices. Joining forces with web-based development such as PickupHub provides a marketplace tool that allows us to reach the sport interests of clientele. I personally welcome any, and all, inquiries from our community to learn more about this bold new approach to meeting

Pay on site

No relationship with clients

your program interests. I can be reached at pickuphub@waterloo.ca or 519-8845363 #239. As more schedule information becomes available, we will post regular updates to www.waterloo.ca/pickuphub

waterloo.ca/pickuphub

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

7

Training your individual skills and tactics – The best way to become a leader on the ice!

Hockey Training Skills Tip

Get an Edge on Your Skills

#5

A simple drill to practice these defensive skills with a friend:

Tight turns with a Partner (With and Without a Puck) Individual Technical Skills — Executing a Forward Skating Glide Turn (Tight turn to change direction) There is a lot to think about and practice to improve your forward skating glide turn to change direction quickly and efficiently. The objective is to carry as much speed as possible throughout the turn while applying minimal resistance to the edges. Players should practice and understand the following fundamentals: • Positioning your body correctly: both skates remain on the ice throughout turn, inside leg is flexed near 90%, outside leg is near straight in a wide stance, upper body is flexed at inside hip upwards to level off shoulders (lifting inside shoulder), and two hands on the stick • The upper body hip flexion is vital to allow your body weight to be centered over the inside skate.

The inside leg supports most of the body weight through the turn and your body weight is centered on the middle part of the blade (not the heel).

•

Partner up with another player and stand together in an open area of the ice without a puck (X1 and X2).

• X2 - remain stationary.

• X1 - skate away from X2 and execute the above forward skating glide turn at five metres from X2 - skate towards X2 and execute the forward skating glide turn around behind X2

•

- repeat step one a second time and then switch roles with X2 X2 - take your turn performing the same movement

After you have repeated the drill without the puck a number of times add a puck and repeat the same drill carrying the puck. As you become more comfortable with executing the glide turns with the puck you can then add one-tough passing.

Repeat the drill over and over – remember with lots of practice, you will be able to effectively execute this move under pressure in game situations!

To view a video clip illustrating the key fundamentals executed in a glide turn please visit the Skills Plus Hockey Website at www.skillsplushockey.com.

Visit our website for more info and/or booking your program: www.skillsplushockey.com/shop/

Booking Drop-in Classes are Also Available! Programs Include: • Spring/Summer Goal Scoring/ Goaltending • Spring/Summer Poised Defensemen •Spring/Summer Stickhandling and Puck Control • Spring/Summer Advanced Youth/Adult Power Skills and Power Skating • Spring/Summer Youth Advanced Training • March Break Hockey Camps (Full Day / Half Day or Stickhandling and Puck Control Program) • AAA Tryout Training Program in April • Summer Camps at Activa and Sportsworld

Training in Waterloo Region Since 1998 www.skillsplushockey.com skillsplushockey@rogers.com 519-570-3617 • @skillsplushcky

Eric Calder - President BA & Diploma in Business Administration (WLU)

Eric played professional hockey for 14 years. Among his career highlights is winning the Memorial Cup Championship, playing with the Washington Capitals in the NHL and being the MVP for the Canadian National Junior Team at the World Junior Championships. He is an NCCP High Performance II Certified Coach with over 20 years of professional coaching experience, lectures in the Theory of Coaching at Wilfrid Laurier University and is one of the most sought after instructors in Waterloo Region!

8

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

sportsfiles

Register now for City of Waterloo programs!

We have a fit for every body Whether you are looking for a program for your child, yourself, your parent, or your family — the City of Waterloo has recreation programs suitable for every body!

Your child will love to participate in karate, ZUMBA, our March Break day camp, leadership courses, swim lessons and

much more, all with top-notch, qualified instructors. For yourself, check out our great fitness classes like high-intensity interval training, ZUMBA, or try exotic chair dancing.

Take to the water for some adult swim lessons or some water fit classes. Have you ever tried aqua-cycle? It’s a great workout incorporating spin bikes in the water!

Alternatively, join a team and have a ton of fun in one of the community adult recreation leagues (CARL) — try out beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or slo-pitch.

moving with activities like pickleball, ZUMBA – Gold, tai chi, dance, yoga, and ballroom dancing. Keep social with activities like euchre, snooker and crafts, or learn about different parts of the world with the Friday Flicks Travel Show.

The entire family can get into the action with drop in programs like basketball, badminton and shinny hockey.

Find your fit at www.waterloo.ca/ programguide. Registration is open now and you can register online at www.waterloo.ca/register.

The city offers great recreational and social programs for adults 55+. Keep

K!

AT FIND YOUR FIT MGUIDE /PROGRA O O L R E T WA

REGISTER AT WATERLOO/REGIST ER

Camps, fitness classes, swimming & more…

REGISTRATION STARTS MARCH 2, 2016

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

9

health&fitness

Skate treadmill training Submitted by G&G Skate Training Centre

How treadmill training works

Benefits of treadmill training

The force of the treadmill moving under the skater is initially difficult, which is similar to swimming against a small current. Once the body builds enough strength and gains more comfort on the treadmill, the instructors will then take the skater to a whole new level of speed and explosive power. When the skater is ready, we introduce stick handling and shooting while skating on the treadmill. This is the ultimate challenge! The treadmill will not allow skaters to stop moving their feet while stick handling, passing, shooting or performing the many puck-handling moves with which we will be challenging our players.

• Dynamic sprint speed improvement

Treadmill training Our skating treadmill is in a league of its own. It is powered by a five-horsepower electric motor and can reach speeds up to 20 mph. The skating surface is eightfeet wide by seven-feet deep and is made of ultra-high molecular-weighted plastic coated with a water/silicone mixture so that it is light on the skates and feels just like ice. With the proper instruction, skaters can create a strong, positive muscle-memory ingraining technique that will remain with them for a long time to come.

• Glute, hamstring, hip and quad strengthening • Builds fast-twitch muscle fibers

• Develops long, smooth and efficient strides • Inside/outside edge work • Master crossovers and explosive starts • Core body strengthening

• Increased acceleration and overall conditioning

• Optimizes the skater’s body awareness with one-on one coaching

• Constant (instant) feedback from experienced staff

G & G SKATE

TRAINING CENTRE INC. Since 2008 Hockey players from youth to professional levels have been improving their speed, conditioning and skating mechanics on Waterloo Regions first and LARGEST patented Skating Treadmill (“The Blade” by Woodway). Trust us to help make your son or daughter a better skater

Skate Sharpening • Rapid Shot • Location / Hours • Goalie Training 842 Victoria St. N. #1A N2B 3C1, 519-743-6784, info@gandgskatetraining.com, www.gandgskatetraining.com

10

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

GET IN SHAPE FOR YOUR BEST SEASON YET If you haven't yet realized the importance of flexibility, stability, mobility, and power to the game of golf, as well as, in your daily activities, then you should consider integrating a golf fitness program into your workouts.

FLEXIBILITY for a smoother swing CORE STABILITY for a more powerful swing BALANCE AND CO-ORDINATION for increased confidence CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE for improved accuracy See how incorporating a golf fitness program into your routine can translate to more length off the tee, less swing fatigue and reduced chance of injury.

1A-745 Bridge Street West, Waterloo, ON N2V 2G6 • (519) 841-1376 • Olesia@eurofitvipstudio.com

GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR 2 FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS

1A-745 Bridge Street West Waterloo, ON N2V 2G6

Redeem by email using promo code SXP2016, call with promo code or bring in the magazine

Call (519) 841-1376 or email for available times and schedule Olesia Fiodorova, Studio Owner - olesia@eurofitvipstudio.com

OVER $120 VALUE Not redeemable for cash

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

11

teamprofiles

KW Vipers successful throughout the 2015-16 season Submitted by the KW Youth Basketball Association

The Kitchener-Waterloo Vipers have had a great deal of success during the 2015-16 season. Not only are they doing well in each of their pools within the Ontario Basketball League (OBL), but they have also won several invitational tournaments. Highlights inlude: U10 Novice Boys Urosevic (record 34-2) are ranked as the #1 Novice team in the province.

They are 11-1 in Pool A of the OBL and won the KW Vipers Invitational and a tournament at the Hoop Dome.

U10 Novice Boys Mathew (our second Novice Boys team) have a 13 –13 record and won a silver medal at their own tournament.

U11 Atom Boys Deep are developing their skills and getting better. Recently, they picked up a very important win over a strong Vaughan Panthers team.

U12 Major Atom Boys Bains currently sport a 18-12 record and won the Caledon Tournament in February. They are pushing to get to one of the top divisions for the Ontario Cup. The Vipers are very strong in the Bantam Boys division: U13 Bantam Boys Tsyzka are 10-3 overall and 7-1 in their OBL Pool while the U13 Bantam Boys Bailey are 11-5 overall and 8-0 in their OBL Pool. Both teams have improved tremendously over the season and are looking to medal at the Ontario Cup. U14 Major Bantam Boys Quigley only have a 7-7 record but their games have been against many of the top teams in their division. They will be pushing for a spot in Division 2 at the Ontario Cup. U14 Major Bantam Boys Langer stated the season slowly but have been improving as the year progresses.

High-school-age boys’ Viper teams are just beginning their seasons as they waited for the high-school basketball season to finish. With many of the top highschool players on the various teams, good things can be expected from them.

This is the first season the the Vipers have had girls’ teams and many of them are showing great ability, skill and promise. They are expected to keep adding to the successful results that they have already achieved.

U10 Novice Girls McPherson is a brand new collection of young (some are only seven) girls

12

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

who have begun to develop amazing skills and have a 9-15 record. Most of them will stay in the Novice Division next year so they are gaining valuable experience for the future.

U11 Atom Girls Brown are already among the top teams in the province. With a 20 – 9 record, they have won the IEM tournament and got silver at the prestigious Blessed Sacrament Tournament. They are planning to bring home a medal from the Provinicial Cup. U11 Atom Girls Hume started the season with very little experience but have already won 6 games.

U12 Major Atom Girls Urosevic won the Hoop Dome Tournament and took silver in the Viper Tournament. With a 15-13 record, they are moving in the right direction for their Ontario Cup. U13 Bantam Girls Tulipano started the season with only a few players who had played competitive basketball before but are working hard and getting better. After several close games, they finally broke through and won their first game of the season.

U14 Major Bantam Girls Smith have a 13-11 record and are showing rapid improvement.

They are the top team in Pool B of the OBL at this time so they can anticipate a strong seed at the Ontario Cup. U15 Midget Girls Bellaire also took a while to get into the win column, but are also improving as the season progresses. At this age, the transition from high-school ball to club ball is a very big step.

U16 Major Midget Girls Lopez are actually all grade-9 girls who are playing up a year. They are learning how to handle the changes well and have a 14-5 overall record. They are 6-0 in Pool A of the OBL so he sky is the limit for these girls.

U16 Major Midget Girls Schimus have played in Pool A of the OBL all season and, although they only have a 5-13 record, they are improving and will be a strong team by the time they play in the Ontario Cup. U19 Women Weber have played a number of very close games and, despite only having eight players, will do well

at their Ontario Cup that will be held here in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Ontario Cup Championships to be held in KW KWYBA will be hosting three separate Provincial Basketball Championships in the K-W area on two weekends in May. Each weekend, approximately 60 teams will compete in about eight different venues. The tournaments are expected to bring about 800 to 900 players and coaches, along with their families and supporters, to the region. Not only will there be a lot of good basketball to see, but there will also be an economic boost to the region.

May 6 to 8 will feature both the U17 Juvenile Girls’ and the U19 Junior Women’s Ontario Cups. This will be a good opportunity to see some of the future Team Ontario and Team Canada players. Many of the women who won the Pan Ams and FIBA Americas played in these tournament earlier in their careers.

On May 27 through May 29, the scene switches to the men’s basketball. The U19 Junior Men’s Ontario Cup has been successfully held in the K-W area for the past seven years. Again, many of the game’s top superstars, including Cory Joseph and Andrew Wiggens, played for the Division 1 gold medal at RIM Park in the past.

For these championships to be successful, volunteers are a necessity. Even though the KW YBA has a lot of volunteers, we can always use more. If you have time and interest, please go to our website, www.kwyba.com, and follow the links to contact us.

sportsfiles

K-W Vipers compete across the province The Kitchener-Waterloo Vipers teams are wrapping up their 2015/16 season with the Ontario Basketball League (OBL). Participating successfully in a number of tournaments in various cities and OBL divisions, many Vipers teams had considerable success while all represented the K-W region very well.

1

The K-W Vipers appreciate all the support that Mel’s Diner has given the entire organization!

2 4

3

5

1. U12 Major Atom Girls @ The HoopDome, 2. U10 Novice Boys Urosevic @ The HoopDome, 3. U11 Atom Girls Brown - Champions @ IEM Tournament, 4. U10 Novice Boys Mathew @ Raptors905 game, 5. U12 Major Atom Girls Urosevic

The Good Ol’ Days Are Back at Mel’s Diner!

All day breakfast, lunch and dinner! Bring the whole team out after the big game to celebrate the big win at Mel's Diner

Reservations?

Give us a call!

519 579 6357

Westmount Location Hours: Monday -Sunday 7am-11pm University Location Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7am - 11pm, Friday 7am-24 hours, Saturday 24 hours

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

13

sportsfiles

The 3v3 Kumar Classic Every year, the basketball community comes together to remember the life of a young player whose basketball career was cut short. On Friday, May 9, 2014, the Under 13 Boys KW Vipers basketball team lost one of its team members, Jayant (Jay) Kumar, nine days after being diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an aggressive and rare brain tumour. Jay was a very talented and energetic young man with a gift for the game of basketball. He was respected by teammates and opponents and known as a shooter, culminating in his selection as one of the top 10 players in the region for the Ontario basketball Association Talent and Identification Program.

In Jay’s honour, the K-W Youth Basketball Association launched the 3v3KumarClassic. The tournament’s events include 3-on-3 competition, a 3-point shootout challenge, and multiple prize giveaways. In a short time, the basketball community came together

14

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

and prizes, teams, and sponsors came pouring in to help honour Jay’s memory.

Today, more than 500 players, parents and spectators from all over Ontario come to play basketball and help raise funds in Jay’s name. Men and women varsity basketball players come from both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University to showcase their talents and provide advice to the young players. With generous support and participation from the community, the Kumar Classic has raised more than $10,000 over the past two years.

The Kumar Classic continues to grow and touch lives. We are always seeking to expand participation and we encourage every school in the region to consider joining this important initiative. Not only does it serve to pay tribute to a wonderful person, but the tournament promotes fitness, sport, philanthropy and teamwork to hundreds of young people across the province. We are also always looking for

enthusiastic volunteers who can lend their time and energy to this effort.

You can register your team, sponsor the tournament or apply to be a volunteer on our website, www.3v3KumarClassic.com.

If you are unable to participate, please take a moment to support Kumar Classic by sharing our website with your network, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can use the hashtag #KumarClassic.

This Summer

YOU SHOULD PLAY

BASEBALL!

Every kid should learn to play baseball! It's a fun and challenging game that teaches speed, agility and forethought. The hand-eye coordination developed by throwing, catching and hitting baseballs pays off in every sport and in many other activities later in life. Visit us on the web at kmba.ca for more information. This year's registration deadline is 10 April but please register as early as possible to guarantee a spot!

Receive a $25 registration discount by using the code: 'BATFLIP' when registering online!

@KitchenerMBA

FREE Try It Clinics are coming up for T-Ball and Rookie Ball! Visit us online for all the details.

kmba.ca

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

15

sportsfiles

Grand River Soccer’s Kick4aCure 2016

On February 15, the Grand River Soccer Club held its fourth annual Kick4aCure charity soccer tournament. The tournament is Waterloo Region’s largest adult co-ed soccer event. This year, the club hosted 38 teams with over 400 players at the Core Lifestyle & Recreation Complex and Com-Dev Soccer Park with the help of 35 volunteers and referees from the SouthWest Soccer Referees’ Association.

The competition included many local players and teams from recreational to the advanced skill levels. It also attracted several soccer enthusiasts from Chatham, Ancaster, Guelph and Toronto, all sharing a passion for the beautiful game and contributing to a worthwhile cause.

The Grand River Soccer Club and its sponsor partners, (Natural Sound, Verbanac Law Firm, Kitchener Honda and

Want to be a sports journalist?

Get your feet wet with

Volunteer/intern as a: • reporter • writer • photographer • videographer • events/promotions coordinator

Apply online at sportsxpress.ca/volunteer

16

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

The Sports Link), presented the Grand River Hospital Foundation with a cheque for $14,275 on March 5.

The tournament has raised in excess of $50,000 over the past four years.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for February 20, 2017. For more information, please visit www.kick4acure.com or email Kick4acure@gmail.com.

teamprofiles

50 years of girls’ softball in Kitchener The Kitchener Minor Girls Softball Association (KMGSA) reached the 50year (golden) milestone in 2016. Since its beginning in 1966 when the registration fee was $1 and 54 girls signed up, KMGSA has been focused on providing a fun, competitive and safe sports environment for over 12,000 young girls in Kitchener.

KMGSA is a volunteer-based organization whose focus is to provide, improve and foster the development of softball skills for girls between the ages of 5 through 19 years.

KMGSA’s 50th year is a reflection of the hard work put in by its volunteers who have made KMGSA one of the strongest softball associations in Ontario. In this year of celebration, we celebrate those volunteers who have helped in the past to make this organization what it is today as well as those in the present who are helping to make a difference in the future of softball.

KMGSA is planning celebration events which will be held on June 24-26 in conjunction with our annual REP tournament at the Peter Hallman Ball Yard in Kitchener.

Details of these celebrations will be announced on the KMGSA website (www. kmgsa.com) as we get closer to the date.

KMGSA softball programs

KMGSA’s goal is to provide softball programs that cover a wide spectrum of ages and capabilities. We teach (and encourage) good sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, responsible citizenship and

80 Dundas St. S Cambridge, ON (519) 620-8200

440 Hespeler Rd. Cambridge, ON (519) 622-8334

community spirit through active competition and enjoyment of the game of softball. Over the years, a large number of players have gone on to play at provincial and national championships, at universities and colleges throughout Canada and the USA, and some have gone on to represent Canada as part of the national team.

to play at the th highest level of competition, the Kitchener Klassics Rep program 1966 - 2016 is ideal. It provides competition at the regional and provincial level and, if successful, national championships. Representative tryouts are held in early September with teams working out over the winter months to get ready for the season which runs from May until late August.

Learn 2 Play: This program, for girls 5 to 7-years-old, provides basic softball skills development with drills that offer a high success rate that improves self-confidence. The program runs from May through June.

To find out more information and to register for the upcoming 2016 season, please visit KMGSA’s website at www.kmgsa.com.

Recreational leagues:

For players aged 8 to 19, the recreational leagues offer a fun and competitive environment where teamwork and fair play are emphasized. The leagues, based on age, run from May through early July.

Select: For those that want to play more competitive softball after the recreational season is over, the Kitchener Kobras Select teams provide competition at the regional level further into the summer. Select team tryouts are held in early May and they play in three or four weekend tournaments held between late June and early August.

Representative:

For those who are serious about softball with a deep competitive drive and want

296 Fairway Rd. S Kitchener, ON (519) 896-0090

70 King St. E Kitchener, ON (519) 570-4500

988 Ontario St. Stratford, ON (519) 305-1340

65 University Ave. E Waterloo, ON (519) 725-9041

Visit us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/CrabbyJoes or on the web @ www.crabbyjoes.com

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

17

sportsfiles

Region of Waterloo Swim Club sends 6 athletes to the Olympic and Para-swimming Trials The Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) continues to produce some of the nation’s best swimmers. Since the club’s founding in 1976, a number of national, international and Olympic champions have trained with ROW. Swimmers like Laura Nicholls, Mike West, Jennifer Button, Keith Beavers and Victor Davis have all represented Canada.

Those who are old enough to remember the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics can vividly remember Victor Davis’s victory fist-pump after winning the gold medal in the 200metre breaststroke in a world record time.

Six ROW swimmers will have their opportunity to qualify for the Olympics as they have each met the time standards to compete at the 2016 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials. (The events determine who will represent Canada in Rio this summer.) John Fauteux, Adam MacKenzie, and Jasmine Raines will compete for a place on the Olympic team

while brothers Alec and Aidan Elliot, along with Cameron McCuaig, will be swimming for places on the Paralympic team.

Continuing to ride a high from this summer’s Pan Am/Parapan Games in Toronto is Alec Elliot. Alec medalled in five of his six events and is looking to continue his success with a place on the Canadian Paralympic team in Rio. Alec will have to beat a number of talented swimmers including his younger brother Aidan.

All of the these swimmers have dedicated years of their lives to training for countless hours and swimming numerous kilometres to take off the seconds, or even hundredths of a second, that separate the top-level swimmers — the difference in either making or not making the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

The Olympic and Para-Swimming Trials are being held at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Complex, April 5 to 10, 2016.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Minor Softball Association invites players from the ages of 4-18 to join our League and play the greatest ball game out there! A quarter of a million Canadians, young and young-at-heart, can’t be wrong.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE WWW.KWMBSA.CA OR CONTACT US AT 519-579-2888

18

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

SU

M M E R CA M P S

Check out these exciting summer camps at the University of Waterloo!

Football Fun Camp / Hockey Day Camp / Basketball Camp / Football High School Camp Hockey Specialty and Goalie Camp / Volleyball High Performance Camp and more!

Visit www.gowarriorsgo.ca/camps for more information and to register.

Athletic Therapy at the University of Waterloo doesn’t: an Athletic Therapist’s goal is to help clients return to their usual activities, whether that means playing competitive sports or walking to the mailbox and back.

Athletic Therapy is a health care profession that specializes in the prevention, assessment and care of musculoskeletal disorders (muscles, bones, joints) especially as they relate to athletics and the pursuit of physical activity.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

The provision of on-field immediate care of athletic injuries by a certified Athletic Therapist includes:

» Offer clinical evaluation and management of orthopedic, musculoskeletal injuries

» Injury assessment » Basic emergency life support » Recognition and management of acute traumatic neurological dysfunction » Provision of first aid » Preparation for entrance into appropriate health care delivery systems » Utilization of techniques facilitating a safe return to participation Certified Athletic Therapists are best known for their quick-thinking on-field emergency care of professional and elite athletes. The first to respond when someone gets hurt, they are experts at injury assessment and rehabilitation. It’s

GOWARRIORSGO.CA

» Expertise in treating and managing concussions following a specific Concussion Safety Program

that same mix of on-site care and active rehabilitation skills that makes Athletic Therapists so effective in treating the musculoskeletal (muscles, bones, and joints) injuries of all Canadians, whether on the field or in the clinic.

» Focus on activity related injuries with an exercise oriented focus on rehabilitation » Offer manual therapy, modalities, exercise, return to function, sport and life

Athletic Therapists adhere to the Sports Medicine Model of care. They treat a wide range of patients, from kids with concussions to seniors recovering from hip replacement surgery, using various manual therapies, modalities, exercise prescription and even bracing and taping.

The treatment varies but the objective

» Various bracing options available » Located in the Columbia Icefields (CIF) » 4 Certified Athletic Therapists (CAT(C))

For more information, email waterlootherapy@gmail.com

#goblackgogold

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

19

sportsfiles

KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club hosts Ontario’s best

“Go fast and turn left,” is the slogan for one of the world’s fastest humanpropelled sports and, on the March 5/6 weekend, approximately 130 skaters each made 200 left turns and covered between 9,000 to 10,000 metres of ice.

The event, held in Waterloo, was the 2015/16 Provincial A Short Track Speed Skating Championships.

The weekend saw the fastest youth in Ontario take to Pillar’s Ice Rink at RIM Park for two days of comradery, fierce competition and hard racing.

Some skaters qualified for the Canada East Short Track Championships in Charlottetown, PEI at the end of March.

For one club, however, the provincial event was also a chance to race their best on home ice.

The KW Sertoma Speed Skating Club has roots in the KW area dating back to 1964 when seven local skaters founded the club to share their passion for the sport. Fifty years later, the club

20

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

has almost 200 seasonal members and supports all levels of racing with its competitive team, the KW Cobras.

The club sent 12 of their best skaters to the Provincial A Championships.

Local volunteer (and community sports enthusiast) Mike Farwell opened the proceedings. Mike, also known as the new voice of the Kitchener Rangers, was an excellent speaker who discussed the important role local sports play in our communities and the importance of the coaches, officials and volunteers who support the athletes all season.

The championships were a huge success and a great chance for the KW community to see how strong and thriving speed skating is in Waterloo Region. As a result of a strong championship weekend, KW Cobra Christopher Langridge made the Canada East team representing the Boys Age 14 group for Ontario (pictured leading the pack for Team

Ontario in the photo above). Two other Provincial A skaters, Mitchell Schrum and Claudia Heeney, won gold in the Open Men and Girls Age 14 respectively thereby qualifying to compete in the Junior Open Selection for Short Track in Fredericton, New Brunswick March 17 through March 20.

Up and coming skaters also competed in the Provincial B, C and Masters Short Track Championships in Milton (March 12 and 13).

Congratulations to all of our skaters for an outstanding season! Interested in trying the sport of speed skating?

Visit www.kwspeedskating.com for details on our next learn-to-speed-skate session coming in the fall of 2016.

PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKING SERVICE

BELLY RUBS ARE THE BEST!

I WISH I COULD GO OUTSIDE...

LET’S GO OUTSIDE!

MY BALL WON’T THROW ITSELF!

AW, MOM’S WORKING LATE AGAIN...

I LOVE TO RUN AND PLAY!

I’M SO BORED!

I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM

I LOVE MY PLAY TIME!

• Certified dog trainer and behavior therapist • 15 years experience • Bonded and insured • Certified in TLC and belly rubs!

ONLY $15

FOR 30 MIN (MULTI DOG DISCOUNT)

info@inlinek9s.com • 519-212-7894

www.inlinek9s.com

PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING AND WALKING SERVICES

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca 21

sportsnews

More sports updates from KSA

Submitted by the Kitchener Sports Association

Two WRBA boxers win provincial titles Two members of the Waterloo Regional Boxing Academy (WRBA) participated in the 2016 Ontario Bronze Gloves held at the end of February in Toronto and came home as champions.

In the 48-kilogram Novice Division, 13-year-old William Yolcano, a Kitchener native, defeated Josh Day of Hamilton in the final. Yolcano stopped his opponent in the first round to capture his first provincial title.

In the 64-kilogram Open Youth Division, 17-year-old Terrell Piper, an Elmira native, defeated Lance Cretien of Sudbury by way of decision for the gold medal. The win for the Elmira District Secondary School student solidifies him a spot to compete at the 2016 National Championships being hosted in Quebec in March.

WRBA now has three athletes who

1

3

2

1: WRBA Coach LeVar Piper and Champion (48-kgm Novice Division) William Yolcano (Feb. 28, 2016 - Ontario Bronze Gloves) 2: WRBA Coach LeVar Piper, Champion (64-kgm Open Youth Division) Terrell Piper, and WRBA Coach Rick Cadilha (Feb. 28, 2016 - Ontario Bronze Gloves) 3: WRBA boxer Tanvir Kahlon (2015)

have qualified to compete at the upcoming National Championships.

Joining Terrell Piper will be 17-yearold Tanvir Kahlon (of Kitchener) in the 69-kilogram Youth Division and 15-year-old Katelyn VanDerlaan (from Drumbo) who will be making her first

appearance at the Nationals. She’ll be fighting in the 64-kilogram Junior Female Division.

Both Terrell Piper and Tanvir Kahlon are former National Junior Champions.

Woolwich U14 Girls’ Soccer Canada Summer Games 2021 KSA provided a travel grant to the Woolwich U14 Girls’ Soccer Team to help with the cost of its trip to the Nationals in Newfoundland. A contingent came out to KSA’s Jan. 20 (2016) dinner to thank KSA and give some highlights. (The girls didn’t win the title, but they enjoyed the experience! (Image #4 L-R) KSA President Bill Pegg, Ashlyn Riehl & Tyanna Ventura (players), Chris Riehl (Manager) and Colin Ridge (Assistant Coach).

4

Girls Can Group

5

6 22

4: (L-R) Bill Pegg, Ashlyn Riehl, Tyanna Ventura, Chris Riehl and Colin Ridge 5: Girls Can Group 6: Sherry Doiron, Manager Sport Tourism

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

Angela Woods and Marcia Wright have started “Girls Can Group” and are in the process of expanding it for their upcoming second season this spring. The group operates out of the Mill Courtland Community Centre and targets “at risk” girls by offering them the opportunity to train together and do some marathon running. Attendees at KSA’s dinner (Feb. 16, 2016) had lots of questions and suggestions.

There appears to be a need for lots of assistance - exactly what and how much are questions that they are working on. Full speed ahead!

Sherry Doiron, Manager Sport Tourism, Sherry provided an update on the status and impact of a possible local bid (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph) for the hosting of the upcoming (2021) Canada Summer Games. Submitting a bid is a “multi-step” process with the preliminary assessments already well underway. The games will involve 19 sports, 3,500 athletes, 1,000 coaches, 1,000 VIPs, 6,000+ volunteers and, of considerable interest for the local economy... 200,000 spectators. Those interested in helping work on the bid should contact Sherry at sherry@ SportTourismOffice.ca (KSA dinner, Feb. 16, 2016).

UPCOMING KSA EVENTS KSA Scholarship deadline: Noon, Monday April 4, 2016 KSA Scholarship dinner: Tuesday April 19 at the Edelweiss Athlete of the Year Dinner: Tuesday May 17 at the Edelweiss For more information, visit www.KitchenerSports.ca

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca

23

BOSTON PIZZA

PLAYDIUM ARCADE

KINGPIN BOWLOUNGE

YOUR TEAM HEADQUARTERS

BRING YOUR TEAMS, TOURNAMENTS AND LEAGUES! • • • •

Canada’s largest Boston Pizza Specially built to handle large groups Centrally located in Waterloo region Unlimited Parking

• Onsite activities including Kingpin Bowlounge, FunworX Indoor Playland, Playdium Arcade, and in the summer Big Splash Waterpark and more

425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ontario • Tel: 519-745-8888 Toll Free: 1-800-667-0833

24

Boston Pizza and the Boston Pizza roundel are registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, used under license. © Boston Pizza International Inc. 2015.

WaterlooSportsXpress.ca