Huron Expositor, 2006-04-19, Page 15Sports
The Huron Expositor • April 19, 2006 Page 15
Competition stiff, but trip to
England still valuable for
Seaforth's girl rugby players
Stacey Reinsma
A trip of a lifetime, is how
Corrine Bos, of ,Seaforth,
describes her recent trip to
England, along with the rest
of the girls' and boys' St.
Anne's rugby teams.
The girls participated in
several games in England
over March break, while the
boys competed in England,
Scotland and Wales.
The girls' team won person-
al medals and a trophy to dis-
play in their school for defeat-
ing a prestigious opponent in
a tournament.
Accompanying Bos was
Seaforth's Tanya Costello and
Meagan McGregor.
"The experience was awe-
some," says Costello.
McGregor says some of the
teams were noticeably better,
but they still fought hard and
did pretty well.
Costello agrees, adding that
although the girls struggled
on the field against some
tough competition, they could
still hold their heads high.
"At the end they (the other
team) came over and said we
were the best Canadian team
they'd played," says Costello.
"They said they were
impressed by our skills," she
adds.
Bos says she was told by
one team if they competed in
England, they would rank in
the top five.
"That dropped our mouths.
We didn't expect that big of a
compliment," sheeays.
i
Off the field, the girls trav-
elled to London, where they
took in the sights of the city,
such as Big Ben, Buckingham
Palace and the London
bridge.
-They travelled to Stratford,
where they viewed the birth-
place of William
Shakespeare, and Worcester,
where they visited the
Warwick Castle and the
Cadbury World Chocolate
Factory, the latter of which
probably didn't help -their
game, says Costello.
"It might have slowed us
down a bit," she jokes.
The girls also had the
opportunity to watch a U'-21
Six Nations Cup rugby
match.
In all, the sightseeing may
have been the most beneficial
part of the trip for the team.
"As a team we spent a lot of
time off the field talking, and
that will help us on the field
when we're communicating,"
says McGregor.
"It was great because we got
to take in their culture and
not just sit in the hotel," adds
Bos.
The girls also hope to have
benefitted from the times
they practised with the teams
from England.
Bos says they were taught
different tackling drills and
"just really simple stuff that
got us warmed up."
The boys' rugby team also
faced some stiff competition
overseas.
Seaforth players included
Luke Veens, Adam Blake,
Mark Van Dieten, Trevor
Somerville and Shawn Van
Bakel.
Andy and Dave Pethick of
Brussels also played for the
team.
Although they lost all three
games coach Glen Ditner
says, "At least we were com-
petitive this time, compared
to three years ago."
The .boys' rugby team had
previously- travelled to
England in 2003.
During their travels both
teams had to face the terrible
elements of nature.
"A foot of snow cripples
everything in Scotland,"
states Ditner. Both teams
braved the extremely cold
weather and gave their per-
sonal bests at all the games.
During their time in Europe
the Eagles stayed with
numerous host families and
teams. One of the teams will
be visiting Ontario in June
and St. Anne's will be hosting
them in return for their kind-
ness.
Girls' coach Ryan Clancy
says the experience was
tremendously valuable for
both teams.
"Playing tough competition
makes good players better
and takes better players to a
higher level. By playing good
teams our players can see
what they need to do to get to
a higher level of playing," he
explains.
With files from Jeff
Heuchert
Brothers turn focus to school for time being
From Page 14
As for next year, Adam says
he plans to play again with
the Sledgehawks, but realizes
finding the time for the team
between school and work is
becoming more difficult.
He adds that pursuing a higher
level of sledge hockey is not out
of the question either.
"Down the road I'd like to play
competitive," he says.
As for Shaun, he says one day
playing for the national sledge
hockey team at the paralympic
games is still an attainable goal,
but like his brother, his focus is
now on school.
For Shaun playing so many
years with the same team has been
a priceless experience, something
he says he realized years ago
when he made the decision to take
a season off.
"When I quit for a year I really
missed it. When I came back I
realized this is where I could
make an impact," he says.
"I cherish every moment with
the hawks."
Seaforth Public
students prepare
for afternoon
basketball tourney
Jeff Heuchert
1111111111111111111111110
Grade 5 and 6 students from Seaforth Public
School will compete in a friendly basketball tourna-
ment this week.
Clinton will host the tournament, which will take
place April 27, during the afternoon.
Ron Vercruyssen is coaching the co-ed SPS team.
He said a tournament such as this is a great way
to get kids involved with a sport they're otherwise
not very familiar with.
"It (a tournament) gen,ates new kids that want
to try basketball. So, hopefully they'll be keen later
on," he said.
"We're hoping to spark an interest," he added..
The tournament is similar to what Grade 7s and
8s participate in each year.
Teams from Clinton, Exeter, Stratford and
Mitchell will join Seaforth in the tournament.
SPS held a tryout for their team over one lunch
hour.
Vercruyssen said around 50 students tried out for
the team.
"It's a great opportunity for kids and I knew there
would be a lot of kids interested."
Approaching the afternoon event, he said finding
time to practice would be his biggest challenge.
"We're going to be scrounging for a few practices,"
he said last week.
Vercruyssen added that most likely a few practices
would be held after school.
Avon :' - Seeking Community
Maitland Volunteer Membership
Board's Audit Committee
The Avon Maitland District School Board welcomes volunteers
who have a passion for public education to express an interest in
becoming one,of three community representatives on the Board's
Audit Committee, beginning in late May, 2006 for a two year term.
Interested individuals should have financial training and expertise
and will be selected through an interview process.
•
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the. Board's
audit process. It meets in the spring to review audit planning, and
in the fall once the audit has been completed. The Audit Committee
may make recommendations to the Board's Finance Committee
regarding the audited statements, the financial processes of the
Board, and the Board's intemal controls.
Community members provide the Board with independent advice
regarding the audit and its functions.
Expressions of interest to serve on this committee
are to be sent no later than May 5, 2006 to:
Barb Crawford, Administrative Assistant,
Avon Maitland District School Board
62 Chalk Street, North
Seaforth, ON NOK 1 WO
Telephone:1-800-592-5437 Fax: (519) 527-0422
www.yourschools.ca