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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-16, Page 33Sports Entertainment Birth bt Death Notices Church l Jc t*,s S < bCid +ail:gsssports@bowesnet.com Wednesday, September 16, 2009 on-line: www.goderichsignalstar.com `1`he Goderlch Signal -Star McLeod goldenr a c es to Olympic rings manager Candy Drouillard. "1 want to congratulate her for doing a great job." Both managers say McLeod not 'only adapted to the McDonalds at- mosphere in a short period of time, but also has the ability to pick up the mood in a room and get the staff working with a smile. The motivational touch is inher- ent in McLeod, who also works as a personal trainer at 1-2-1 fitness in Lucan. Her people -skills and work ethic will fit right in with the busy atmo- sphere at the games, as the turn- around time for orders is very tight, she said. "I'm just going to try and deliver the best customer service," she said. "Twenty-three seconds or less." It will be a whirlwind experience for McLeod and the other McDon- alds employees, who will have train- ing on-site before plunging into the job of feeding the world's best. She said right now, she doesn't know which part of the restaurant she will be working at the Olympics, but is eager for whatever challenges are presented to her. Her stay will be either 18 or 30 days depending on where she is sta- tioned. For restaurant owner Rob Reid, this marks not one, but two employ- ees heading to the games. Both the Goderich and Kincardine McDon- aids restaurants scored in the top 100 in the country for guest count,, customer satisfaction and with mys- tery shoppers. Goderich placed 54th and Kincar- dine came in 63rd - no easy feat con- sidering there are more than 1,400 McDonalds restaurants in Canada alone. Heather Murray will be rep- resenting the Kincardine restaurant. Customer service, staff motivation earn McLeod the chance to serve at the Olympics Gerard Creces signal -star staff For Valerie McLeod, it's a gold medal opportunity. The assistant manager at McDon- alds will be headed to the Olympic games this winter, after being nomi- nated by her coworkers to serve the world's best athletes, coaches and their families at the 2010 winter games in Vancouver. "I just can't wait to get there," she said. "It's the chance of a lifetime." The opportunity comes as part of a country -wide initiative that will see one staff member from each of the top 300 McDonalds restaurants working on-site at the games, in ei- ther Whistler or Vancouver, British Columbia. An avid skier, McLeod said Whis- tler would be the ideal destination for her, however, she won't find out where she's placed until the end of the month. McLeod will be staying right in the athletes' village, and as part of her trip, she will also get to take in one major Olympic event. "I'm hoping t� see a hockey game," she said. "I want to see Can- ada win." McLeod started her job in Janu- ary this year and has already made a great impression on her coworkers, who voted her in for the Olympic trip. "She's a motivator," said manag- er Frank Rozic. "She brings up the staff to a different level." "She is a great candidate," said Photo by Gerard Creces Valerie McLeod (centre) is heading to British Columbia this winter to work at the Olympic games as part of a country -wide initiative of the top 300 McDonalds restaurants. Managers Candy Drouillard and Frank Rozic were among those nominating McLeod. Sailors season begins Friday night against Mount Forest Danny Scc .._— signal -star staff • The Goderich , Junior 'C' Sailors' pre- season unbeaten streak came to an end with a loss against Exeter during a tourna- ment held in Wingham on the weekend. After six wins and two ties in the pre- season, the Sailors were beat out 4-1 by the Exeter Hawks September 13, but it was a hard fought battle for the Goderich squad. Entering the third period, trailing Exeter by one thanks to a first -period power -play goal, the Sailors were looking to mount a comeback, but the latter part of the period saw their momentum fall. Exeter started . out the scoring with a short-handed goal, extending their lead to 2-0 shortly after the half- way point of the third. God- erich's Brett McGuiness was able to cut that lead in half with a power -play goal assisted by Austin Spencer, but after that, the action was all Exeter, with an even -strength goal to bring their lead to 3-1, and an empty- netter with 15 seconds left to make the final 4-1. Goderich's previous con- tests in the tournament were Wingham and Wellesley, who they tied 2-2 and 3-3 respec- tively. Against Wellesley, goals were scored by McGuiness, Scott Miller, and Jamie Miller, assisted by Brendan Thomson and Miller. The tying goals against Wingham were scored by Tom Bedour, assisted by Shawn McColl, and Matt McClinchey, assisted by McGuiness and Brandon Dykxhoorn. Prior to their tournament appearance, Goderich brought their win -count to six with a game against the Wingham Iron - men Sept. 5. Goderich beat the Ironmen 2-1, with goals scored by Tyler Durst, assisted by Ben Gowing and McColl, and Brent Al- ton, assisted by McGuiness. The Sailors will next see action with their season home -opener against the Mount Forest Patriots on Friday Sept. 18 at the Maitland Rec Centre. The puck will drop at 8:30 p.m.