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London
Duct tape to the rescue! By Kim Benke, for London Senior Games registration forms,visit our website or call In the last event of our District Coordinator, Mitch Lupa, at this year’s Senior Winter 519-453-1566. Games, staff at Nichols Arena saved the day with www.londonseniorgames.com duct tape when one of the LONDON SENIOR GAMES 55+ competitors in Prediction Skating discovSUMMER 2018 SCHEDULE: ered her skate blades were separating Apr 19 - Bocce from the boots. But she was able to comApr 30 - Pickleball Doubles plete the 27 laps, and within 19 seconds May 1 - Bid Euchre of her predicted time – a good prediction, May 3 - Mini-Glo Golf but not close enough to win. May 4 - 5 Pin Bowling Prediction events are a great way to May 4 - Pickleball Mixed Doubles involve athletes at different ability levels May 5 - Snooker because speed is not a factor. Walking, May 7 - Cribbage May 10 - Shuffleboard swimming and cycling also have predicMay 14 - 8 Ball tion events. May 15 - Darts A full schedule of more than 20 events May 16 - Carpet Bowling is offered again to Londoners aged 55+; May 22 - Prediction Walking and some of the events have separate May 25 - Slo-Pitch categories for competitors aged 65+ or May 28 - Euchre 70+ or even 75+. June 5 - Cycling June 6 - Golf 18 Holes The London Senior Games are orgaJune 6 - Lawn Bowling nized by a volunteer committee with the June 8 - Golf 12 Holes support of the City of London Recreation June 9 - Contract Bridge department and various retirement Jun 12 - Horseshoes homes and clubs around town. For one Jun 18 - Tennis Men’s Doubles low fee, you are registered with the Jun 21 - Tennis Women’s Doubles Ontario Sr. Games 55+ Association and Jun 21 - Tennis Mixed Doubles may participate in as many of the events as you like (extra fees apply for golf and bowling). The Senior Games offers a chance to compete in your favourite pastime – or to try Nichols Arena staff and prediction skaters something new. Either way, you will have a good time and meet new people while exercising your body and brain. If you’d like to help, more volunteers are always welcome. We meet once a month on Monday afternoon at CHOCC. For more information and The first annual women’s 55+ hockey event
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MAY/JUNE 2018 PUBLISHER: Greg Matthison GregM@SportsXpress.ca, 519 619 6029 London.SportsXpress.ca
Greg Matthison and family: Sam, Jack & Kate EDITOR WEB GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Todd Devlin Alyssa MacLeod Britt Cobean
CONTRIBUTORS Richelle Hirlehey, Kim Benke, Laura Vere, Carlos Preza, Tania Admans, Jamy Brodt, Metaxas Makedos, Chris Latour, Scott Wain, Spencer Noonan, London Nationals, Forest City Diving Club, Forest City Gymnastics, Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, Byron-NorWest Soccer, The Little Gym of London, Eager Beaver Baseball Association, Snipe Academy, London Thrashers Lacrosse, London Volleyball Club, CrossCourt Volleyball, MEC, The Hood Archery Games, London Sharks Volleyball, City of London Municipal Golf, Jazzercise London, London Annihilators Wheelchair Rugby, BMO Centre, London Junior Golf Development Centre, GOT GAME Sports, London Mens Baseball League, London Minor Lacrosse Association, Family Karate, FC LONDON, Western Mustangs, London Minor Football Association, Power Cheer Gym, Middlesex Swimming, CheerStrike, Olympic Karate, London Aquatic Club, the SportsXpress Team and local sports enthusiasts. PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Blois, Brandon VandeCaveye, Melissa Mould, XGEN Photo, London Camera Club, BodyWorx, Dance Extreme, Family Karate, Sport Clips London, Centrefield Sports, Forest City Gymnastics, London Senior Games, West London Minor Hockey, Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, London Nationals, Snipe Academy, Byron-NorWest Soccer, Forest City Diving Club, The Little Gym of London, The Hood Archery Games, Jazzercise London, City of London Municipal Golf, Woodstock Soccer Club, London Sharks Volleyball, London Junior Golf Development Centre, North London Baseball, CrossCourt Volleyball, London Knights, MEC, London Mens Baseball League, BMO Centre, FC LONDON, Olympic Karate, London Minor Football Association, Middlesex Swimming, 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 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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Women and strength training By Tania Admans for BodyWorx
Women and strength training: Look good and feel good As a woman myself, I understand the hesitations about using the weight room. The machines can seem complicated and there are typically more men than women, which can feel a bit intimidating. With so many options and feeling as though everyone (but you) knows what they’re doing, the extent of your exercise program may end up being a simple treadmill workout. But it doesn’t have to be that way. So, strength training … let’s first understand what it is. Strength training is all about building strength through progressive resistance exercises. In other words, lifting heavier things over time.
Demystifying strength training
• Muscular gains: “I don't want to bulk up.” Bulking up takes a lot of effort as a
woman, especially as we age. If you are steering clear of weights because you worry about adding excessive muscle, then stop. To do so, it would take you years, a complete change of diet, and lifting nearly every day! Rather, what you will gain from adding strength training into your program is lean tissue, extra bone density and a revved up metabolism. And who doesn't want that? • Weights and injuries: “I’m sore ... I think I'm injured.” Starting out with a tailored program will help you to avoid injuries and prevent unwanted strains. Soreness will happen, but it doesn't mean that you are injured. Of course, there's a ‘good hurt’ and a ‘bad hurt,’ so be in tune with your body – listen to what it’s telling you. • Machines vs. free weights: “I don't know what to do.” My suggestion to a beginner is to start on the machines. They have simple pins to
change the weights and are designed to keep your body in the right form. There's always room for error, however, so be sure to go through them once with a trainer. After a four-week program to get your Tania Admans body used to the weights, then consider adding in some free weights. The most beneficial part of using free weights is their activation of smaller supporting muscles. Ligaments and tendons will be challenged more for stability. You may find when using your limbs separately that one arm may be stronger than the other. This is a good indicator of imbalances that need to be addressed. It is not cliché to say that everyone is unique and has different needs – it’s simply true. Find a fitness professional who you can trust to help you develop a strength training program that fits your lifestyle and makes you feel good!
Tips to get the most out of your workout • Anyone, at any age and at any time, can start strength training. Get started! • Learn proper form and technique – a certified trainer should put emphasis on this. • Use a program tailored to your needs, taking into account any health issues or injuries. • Strength training will increase your metabolism. Eat real food … enough said! • Be patient and stay committed – improving overall health takes time.
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Tania Admans, Owner/Personal Trainer/ Conditioning Coach www.bodyworxtraining.com tania@bodyworxtraining.com 519-858-BODY 142 Fullarton Street, London, ON Follow us on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram!
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Why run in a club/group?
to be one where you feel like you can fit in! The best thing to do is to get out there and see for yourself. What kind of commitment are you ready to make? Commitment to run groups varies in terms of time and money. Some groups operate on a drop-in basis – with or without a fee (MEC’s run meet-ups are free, but they also offer registered clinics with a reasonable fee). These clinics might be aimed at a goal race, or be 10 weeks in duration, or operate year-round. While there’s no arguing that being free is a nice perk, if you pay for a spot in a group, most people are more likely to show up to workouts and take them seriously. However, if your calendar is overflowing for the next few months, you might be better off sticking with a group where your attendance can be more sporadic. Are you ready to spice up your running routine? If you’re used to running alone, grouprunning brings with it both challenges and opportunities. The man who’s faster than you, or the runner who seems to laugh through the things that you find difficult, can be reasons for you to get jealous and down on yourself – OR they can be great examples and motivators of what we’re capable of as runners. Your running shoes won’t tell you that you’ve missed a few runs, but a group is bound to notice whether you’ve been attending or slacking. All of these things are perks of a running group – if you’re willing to rise to the challenge!
Submitted by MEC excited about running. There’s nothing like joining a friendly group of trail runners at a meet-up and learning the ropes by asking questions, observing, and having the direction of a passionate run leader. Choosing the right group doesn’t mean choosing based on the kind of running you do right now, but you should think about how you want to spend your training time before committing. You can check out more details about the MEC sessions at events.mec.ca. What are you looking for in a group? Common reasons for joining a group include wanting to make friends, seeking external accountability, and wanting to improve or work towards a specific goal. It’s important to think about what you want from a group – if it’s just the social piece that you crave, and you aren’t really looking to compete, maybe a clinic targeting a faster marathon is overkill when there are lots of groups who run more casually. Some groups thrive on the post-long-run brunch, while others are all business and members buy matching team running gear – the culture and ‘vibe’ of each The benefits to running as part of a club/group are many. But before deciding on what type of group to join, it’s best to group is different, take into account your needs, as well as your personality and there’s bound
According to the Athletics Canada Road Running Survey (2015), 39.4% of Canadian runners say they run as part of a club. And these runners might be on to something – many group runners say that they run at a faster pace, that the miles go by quicker, and that they enjoy their runs more when they share them with other people. Mountain Equipment Co-Op offers different types of run groups year-round in London. While they’re all great, if you’re thinking of joining a group, it’s important to find one that fits your personality and your needs as a runner. Here are five of the most important questions to consider: What kind of running do you want to do? No two runners are alike – and neither are two running groups. MEC offers trail, track, and hill running sessions on the pavement in different locations around the city. Choose based on what gets you most
events.mec.ca
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Thank you, Timmies! Submitted by Eager Beaver Baseball Association and photo by Sarah Blois Everybody has heard of Timbits feel when they put their jersey on and Hockey. Canadians have all seen the immediately show their parents; And the commercials. look on a child’s They’ve seen the “What will your child’s baseball face when they jerseys, heard first step on the memory be this season?” the stories, and diamond wearing maybe have even played in it themselves the same uniform as their teammates and or know someone who has. But Tim realize they are all one team. Hortons has an impact on the diamond None of this would be possible without as well, and the more than 200 t-ball and Tim Hortons. little sluggers players in the Eager Beaver Tim Hortons has been a strong supBaseball Association (EBBA) are all proud porter of the EBBA for many years, and to wear a Tim Hortons jersey and timbits we can never say thank you enough. hat on Saturdays at Mornington Park. Without great support from organizations It’s all thanks to the Timbits Sports like Tim Hortons, the terrific baseball baseball program. experience for young players in the EBBA There is something special about day would not be possible. one on the field and watching a child For more information on all of our age receive their first ever baseball jersey at groups, registration inquiries, or general a very young age: The excitement about info, please visit EBBA.ca. what number they’ll receive, and what What will your child’s baseball memory the jersey will look like; The joy when be this season? they first receive it; The pure pride they www.ebba.ca
Charlotte Blois receives her 2018 EBBA jersey for the first time
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Outdoor ball is back! Submitted by Centrefield Sports After a whirlwind winter jam-packed with baseball, softball, soccer, football, cricket, camps, clinics, lessons, birthday parties and more, Centrefield Sports is excited for all those athletes who put in the hard work during their off-seasons at the facility to now show what they can do outside this summer! The facility’s summer will be highlighted by three outdoor camps, hosted at the Byron Optimist Sports Complex and featuring a vast number of former major leaguers, Olympians and professional and college ballplayers, who will staff the camps as instructors at Centrefield Sports. The summer camps will run through the weeks of July 9 to 13, July 30 to August 3, and August 13 to 16. Registration is open, so register today to secure a spot!
As home to the Great Lake Canadians, London’s elite amateur program which plays in the prestigious Canadian Premier Baseball League, Centrefield Sports is also looking forward to seeing what the organization’s seven teams can do on the field after sweating it out indoors the last several months. The program will head into the CPBL season as reigning champions of the circuit at three different age levels. Since January, the Canadians have seen three players secure their futures with 16-year-old right-handed pitcher and outfielder Eric Martin committing to Indiana State University, 18-year-old infielder Kian Bukala making his commitment to the University of Indianapolis, and 18-year-old right-hander Jacob Schuurman deciding to head to Calvin
College in the fall. They join seven other players currently in the program who have committed to further their careers in the collegiate realm. As summer approaches, Centrefield Sports will continue to be available for all of your athletic needs. And while hours will be reduced through June, July and August, so too will the prices. Through those three months, the facility will be closed on Fridays and Sundays, with reduced hours throughout the week. Also during those warmer months, all of the facilities' prices will be slashed in half or more, so take advantage and stay in shape before getting into those outdoor games!
www.centrefieldsports.com
Centrefield Sports will be offering outdoor summer baseball camps in July and August for young players, and they’ll be staffed by many high-calibre instructors, including former major leaguers, Olympians, and professional and college players
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Stretch and Play Ball! Submitted by London Mens Baseball League With all of the indoor workouts and batting practice in the books, it’s now time to lace up the cleats and hit the diamond as the 2018 London Mens Baseball League (LMBL) season gets underway. With the league having held its annual draft, which allocated all new players to teams, the focus is now on the ball diamond and hoping for many sunny Sundays. There will be 14 teams of men aged 30+ (so, 210 potential customers for the Fowler-Kennedy Clinic and Tiger Balm retailers across the city!) who will be attempting to relive their glory days of yesteryear at London and area ballparks each Sunday throughout the summer – including 58 games at historic Labatt Park. The LMBL supplies its participants with two Baseball Ontario certified umpires for each game, along with an official scorekeeper who scores and streams all games live via the popular GameChanger scorekeeping app. This app also provides all players (and fans) with full access to over 150 statistical categories throughout the season that adds to the excitement and friendly competition amongst players trying to continually improve their play. With each team playing 17 regular season games across two divisions, and a
playoff that can consist of up to three additional games, the season stretches from early May to the end of September. This leaves plenty of offseason time to fully recuperate from any pulled hamstrings that may be incurred from legging out an infield single … and, according to most players, it’s a price well worth paying!
For more information about the LMBL, how to participate, and a full listing of our 2018 season schedule and results, visit our website.
www.lmblbaseball.ca
The London Mens Baseball League is an ‘over 30’ mens league based in London, Ontario (baseball, not softball or slo-pitch!). We play most games on Sundays, from May to September, at locations including Labatt Park, Dan Pulham Field, Byron, and Dorchester. Our league ranges in age from 30 to 80
A collection of LMBL managers who will guide teams during the 2018 season, which gets underway in May and runs until September at London and area ball diamonds – including the historic Labatt Park
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Big year ahead on diamond Submitted by North London Baseball Association The North London Baseball Association (NLBA) season is ready to go. By the time you read this, our Rep and Select Teams will likely have been chosen, and our House League assessments and team selections completed. As always, we are proud to field almost 50 teams across every age division, which represents over 600 young players! We expect to build on the success of the tournament weekends that we hosted last season by holding our first ever HL Rookie Ball Tournament in June this year. Be sure to check our website for registration, information and updates for that tournament. Additionally, the North London Nationals are proud to represent the London District Baseball Association (LDBA) as the host for the Minor Mosquito ‘A’ OBA Championships for the second consecutive year on Labour Day Weekend. Last year featured a thrilling two-game final between Sarnia and West London, with the
Tin Caps coming out on top. We are hoping for another great championship weekend! You have likely heard this before, but it’s true: volunteers really do make all the difference in the smooth operation of youth minor sports leagues like ours. If you have an interest in administration, organization or officiating, please let us know and we will find a place for you within the NLBA. Contact us at vp@northlondonbaseball.com with
Also includes Aylmer, Delaware-Komoka-Mt Brydges, Dorchester, Exeter, Lucan-Ilderton, Ingersoll, Mitchell, Sarnia, Strathroy, Tillsonburg, and Wyoming
questions or more details on how you can help. Play Ball!
www.northlondonbaseball.com
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How to deal with receding hairlines Submitted by Sport Clips London A receding hairline is something many men start seeing in their early 20's. If you are noticing hair loss, don't be scared and ignore the issue. Instead, embrace your hairline and follow these styling tips and hairstyles from Sport Clips Haircuts to help conceal your hairline …
Styling Tips:
Use Your Fingers Styling with your fingers adds volume and texture versus a comb or brush. Grow A Beard Facial hair is a brilliant way at drawing attention away from the top of the head and down towards your face. Shampoo in Some Thickness Thickening shampoos coat the hair with polymers that make it appear thicker and fuller. Try Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo. Pump Up the Volume Blow-drying on medium heat instantly
makes hair look fuller and thicker.
The Best Four Hairstyles: First, stop into Sport Clips and talk to our team. “Our skilled hairstylists will conduct a thorough consultation to help you understand how you can make the most of your existing hairstyle or suggest a new style,” says Jean Coles, owner of Sport Clips London. The best four styles include… 1. The French Crop The perfect style for combating the ‘M’ shape that a receding hairline creates. Your stylist will fade the back and sides down low before blending the top. Style with American Crew Classic Light Hold Styling Gel. 2. The Short Cut An ideal style if your recession line hasn’t crept up too much. Allowing for a little more length on top makes your hair look fuller. Wear your hair ‘rough and
ready’ with a clay, like Mitch Matterial, rather than slicked back with wet-look products, which tend to reveal more scalp. 3. The Buzz Cut If you are heavily receding, don’t be afraid to go short. Leaving too much length can make your hair look thinner than it actually is. Ask your stylist to scissor-cut your hair if you are afraid of going too short. 4. The Close Shave Embrace being bald! Cut down the existing hair to a minimum before applying an exfoliating scrub at home and soothing hot towels to open the pores and ensure a closer shave. Open every day, Sport Clips Haircuts has three locations in London: 1985 Hyde Park Rd, 1103 Adelaide St. N, and 3059 Wonderland Rd S.
www.sportclips.ca
A season of successes Submitted by London Annihilators Wheelchair Rugby and photo by Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Another great season is coming to an end for the London Annihiliators Wheelchair Rugby program. Let's take a look at the season by the numbers … 9 - The Annihilators competed in NINE tournaments this season, including in Grand Rapids, Rochester, Tampa, Belleville, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, San Diego and Phoenix. London continues to be the most active club team in all of Canada! 5 - This year a staggering FIVE(!) athletes from the Annihilators were selected to represent Canada on the Canadian National Team. Congratulations to Eric Furtado, Cody Caldwell, Travis Murao, Shayne Smith and Matt Debly. They'll be competing in the World Championships this
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year in Sydney, Australia. 2 - Team Ontario (with heavy representation from London) will be attempting to go back-to-back and repeat at the Canadian National Championships held
in Calgary May 25-27. 1 - There will be only ONE way to see these games online! Go to cwsa.ca to livestream the games and cheer on the London Annihilators!
Vancouver Invitational champs!
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A unique brand of fun Submitted by The Hood Archery Games In the south of London, near White Oaks Mall, there is a unique facility for those looking to try something new while being active. The Hood Archery Games opened in November of 2015, and it offers Archery Wars, Nerf Wars, and Flight
School. For those not familiar, Archery Wars is somewhere between laser tag and paint ball – with dodge ball rules. Players are equipped with bows and safe, foamtipped arrows. In Nerf Wars, competi-
The Hood Archery Games offers a ton of fun activity, including Archery Wars, Nerf Wars, and Flight School – and in a 5,000 square foot facility with enthusiastic staff!
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tors are provided with a choice of basic blaster (or they can bring their own), Nerf darts, and goggles to face off in our arena. For both arena activities, players can choose from a dozen different game modes that range from simple elimination style, role-based, and objective style. Archers are taught the basics of archery, using the foam-tipped arrows in Flight School. After learning proper stance and technique, players get to perfect their new skills while playing a series of fun target-based games. The 5,000 square foot facility houses an arena for games, a Flight School range, and a seating area that is perfect for hanging out with friends or celebrating a special occasion. With enthusiastic staff who love to have fun, the Hood Archery Games experience is one to remember!
www.thehoodarchery.com
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Girls Strike gold indoors Contributions by Metaxas Makedos It’s an exciting time for the U13 Woodstock Strikers girls soccer team. They’re embarking on regional league play this season for the first time, and they continue to improve as a team – during the summer and winter months. “They really are one cohesive unit, all working towards one goal,” says Metaxas Makedos, who has been coaching the team, along with Vic Cabral, for three seasons. “And their true strength comes from the commitment and dedication of the players, as well as their parents.” Since the team was originally formed,
Makedos and Cabral have worked together on building basic skills with the girls. The process has involved developing strong technical skills, and then over time – as the girls have progressed – incorporating tactical skills. “On a regular basis, the team continues to set attainable short and long-term goals,” says Makedos, who serves as the Director of Competitive Soccer for the Woodstock Soccer Club. “And our players are continuing to improve on things like being aware of the game surroundings by having strong tactical strategy and game awareness.” The Strikers wrapped up their first indoor season as an U13 group, and the results were impressive. The girls went a perfect 17-0-0 during regular season play, posting a goals for and against ratio of 109/9, and then proceeded to sweep the playoffs, officially becoming District The Woodstock Strikers girls soccer team completed their first indoor season as an U13 squad by Cup champions winning a District Cup championship
after a 5-0 win over the Byron 1 squad. Meanwhile, the Strikes placed second at the Scrooge tournament over the Christmas holidays during the winter. And now it’s on to outdoor play. The girls will be part of the Kick-Off Cup in Windsor on May 12-13, and will compete in the Peterborough Challenge Cup on June 3-4. They’ll also participate in the Ontario Cup and take part in the British Soccer Team Camp the week of August 7-10. And when the team suits up for their first outdoor action, they’ll be doing so with five new players who have been added during the offseason. “We’re very excited to have them become part of our team,” said Makedos. Once again, Cowan park will be the home of the Woodstock Soccer Club in 2018, with both the Woodstock Stallions (male) and Woodstock Strikers (female) playing their home games at the Cowan pitch.
www.woodstocksoccer.com
Creating opportunities on the pitch Submitted by FC LONDON In its constant quest to create opportunities for London soccer players, FC LONDON continues to assist in the mental and physical training of athletes as they look to make a positive impact at provincial and national levels. And players such as Kaila Novak, Dante Carraro, and Emaly Martin have taken the next steps in their soccer careers and are catching the eyes of coaches across the country. “This is exactly why we spend our time,
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energy and money on this program,” says FC LONDON founder Ian Campbell. “Creating opportunities for others is our goal, and to see that we have achieved so much in a short period of time is encouraging as we build a culture where effort brings success – both on and off the field.” As a 15-year-old leading scorer with FC LONDON U21 last year (and an ongoing call-up to the League1 squad), Kaila Novak has now entered the REX program, specifically developed for elite female players in Ontario. Now living in Toronto, she trains every day and works
on strategy sessions with the top coaches in the province. And her talent in scoring goals has earned her a position with the National U17 team, which recently competed in the CONCACAF Women’s U17 competition in Nicaragua. Kaila didn’t disappoint in her National Team debut, scoring two goals in a 3-0 defeat of Bermuda. Further, younger FC LONDON goalkeepers are also making their presence known in the Ontario Provincial program, with Dante Carraro being selected to represent the province in the U14 squad, and Emaly Martin being selected for the U16 squad. Both players have been part of the London
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Stronger together Submitted by Byron-NorWest Soccer We are pumped and proud to announce the merge of Byron Soccer and NorWest Soccer, a move that transpired during the offseason. And we’d like to share the following official statement, straight from David Brule, president … “Byron Soccer and NorWest Soccer have been developing a relationship over the past several seasons to more effectively and efficiently offer the highest-quality soccer programs possible for all ages at the Recreational, District Competitive and Regional Competitive levels. To that end, in the summer of 2018, the two organizations will be coming together as Byron-NorWest Soccer. It is borne out of necessity as much as being able to leverage each other's strengths to deliver high-quality programming for all of our kids at the best price possible. It is quite an undertaking running clubs of our sizes, and the resources that it takes
– financially and otherwise – is very significant. Additionally, Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer will be instituting more requirements for clubs that will require even more resources. To ensure that we can continue to offer a program at a level that players, coaches and parents have come to expect of both Byron and NorWest Soccer, and meet these new
requirements, we feel this is the best direction to take to ensure continued success.” – David Brule, President Byron-NorWest Soccer – “A player-centred approach to the game we love!”
www.norwestsoccer.com www.byronsoccer.ca
Jennifer Jaquith (NorWest), Brad Stokkermans (Byron), Chris Loucks (NorWest) and Paul Taylor (Byron) join forces at our 2017 Fun Day
TFC Academy program and will no doubt continue on to greater success in League1. London TFC Academy goalkeepers train with their team and also participate in exclusive goalkeeper training led by former National Team goalkeeper Robert Stillo. “Since the majority of a goalkeeper’s participation in any game is with their feet, it’s important for them to train as
Dante Carraro
much with their feet and learn positional play as with their reflexes and their hands,” says Stillo. As the League1 season starts to kick off, the FC LONDON Women’s team looks to recreate the success of previous seasons as they continue their run for another championship. “We’ve had limited turnover on the
Emaly Martin
women’s side compared to last year, which means we can continue to train and work in a style which is familiar to the players,” says the club’s head coach, Mike Marcoccia. “The season has been shortened slightly this year so that there isn’t as big an impact in the fall when players leave for school.” FC LONDON is proud to be wearing the Toronto FC RED as their home colour this year, adorned with new premium sponsor Libro Financial. “It’s great to have Libro involved,” says Campbell. “Their vision of creating financial opportunities is in sync with what we do as a club to create opportunities for players.” Keep track of all the FC LONDON news by visiting us online!
www.fclondon.ca
Kaila Novak
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• Academy Training – without the Academy Price • Saturdays, beginning May 26, 2018 for 11 weeks at a cost of $160.00 per child • Registration now open
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2018/2019 FALL/WINTER SEASON • Men’s, Women’s Rec, Women’s Masters and Co-ed teams • Weeknights, beginning October 2018 • Registration: Opens July 1, 2018 for previously registered teams; August 1, 2018 for new teams
www.bmocentrelondon.com
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Spring swims lead to medals Submitted by the London Aquatic Club London Aquatic Club swimmers competed on three consecutive weekends in April, including at national championship events in Montreal from April 5-8, and in Windsor the weekend of April 14-15, as well as at the Markham Pan-Am Pool on April 20-22. David Hickey and Maggie MacNeil raced at the Canadian Swimming Championships in early April at the Olympic Pool in Montreal, with Maggie being crowned national champion in the 100m butterfly and collecting silver in the 100m backstroke. She was also selected to represent Canada at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Fiji in August. One week later, eight LAC swimmers competed at the Eastern Canadian Championships in Windsor, with Katie
Callon and Carter Buck leading the way 800 swimmers in attendance from across with top 8 finishes (while achieving persouthern Ontario. Go LAC! sonal best times). www.londonaquaticclub.ca Meanwhile, a total of 40 LAC swimmers raced on April 20-22 at the Markham Invitational, and the club was led by 12 year olds Lauren Campbell, who won 4 medals and set a new LAC club record, and Amaris Peng, who achieved her first ever LAC Top 10 time. LAC is preparing to host its annual Hollandia Spring Invitational at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre from May 11-13, where there will be close to Six of LAC’s eight swimmers who raced at the Eastern Canadian Championships on April 14-15. Back row (left to right): Sam, James, Carter. Front row: Katie, Sarah, Colin
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Diving into summer Submitted by Forest City Diving Club The Forest City Diving Club (FCDC) Summer Diving Camp is right around the corner! So, it’s time to save the dates and secure your spot! For the Summer Holidays, FCDC offers summer camp for children ranging from 6 to 12 years of age. Our camp offers a comprehensive approach to deliver dive foundational training to campers, while at the same time teaching about pool safety, nutrition and dryland training – and there’s no shortage of fun activities in between! Your child does not require any previous knowledge of diving to attend a camp, but rather they get to know the sport through our camp in an exciting,
safe and supervised environment. The 2018 FCDC summer camp is run and instructed by our own Level 2 coach, Bowaine Ma. Our program is designed to teach the basics of springboard diving and, depending on comfort level, your camper may venture up to the platforms. Additionally, crafts, taekwondo, soccer, volleyball and other games guarantee an overall rewarding summer camp experience. We offer early drop-off from 8:30 a.m. on to late pickup until 5:30 p.m. Many of our competitive divers started out in summer camp, and once they got the taste of diving they proceeded to our year-round FCDC diving program. In addition to summer campers, FCDC is also calling on all 6 to 9-yearold girls and boys to try out for our pre-competitive program on June 9, 2018 at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre. We are looking for athletes who wish to pursue the competitive stream of diving. This program is geared towards getting the aspiring diver to assemble a dive list The Forest City Diving Club’s summer camps offer youngsters – aged 6 to 12 – the opportu- in order to compete.
Commitment is twice a week for pool time and, depending on level and ability, strength training, conditioning and ballet could potentially be added. Should your child have any previous gymnastics or related athletic experience and would like to add the element of water to their sport, or simply wonder if this could be a new sport to test, come and join us for the June 2018 tryouts. For more information, please visit our website at www.ForestCityDiving.com. We are very excited and are looking forward to this summer, as London will be hosting the 2018 Ontario Summer Games and will be welcoming over 3,500 young athletes showcasing their skills in 21 different sports. Please mark August 2-5 in your calendar! Top Ontario athletes ranging in age from 12 to 18 will be participating in this event, and at FCDC we are thrilled that our home pool, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, is the dive competition venue. So, please join us, get to know the sport of diving, and cheer on your Ontario – and especially your London – athletes! For more information on all our programs from recreational to National level and every level in between, please visit our website!
www.forestcitydiving.com
nity to learn the fundamentals of diving, while also participating in fun activities!
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Action in the pool Submitted by Middlesex Swimming Middlesex Swimming was well-represented at the Speedo Eastern Nationals from April 12-15 in Windsor, Ontario. More than 125 teams from across eastern
Canada competed in the event, and included amongst the large field of athletes who qualified for the meet were four Middlesex swimmers. On the girls side, Kathryn Ivanov, 14, placed 12th and 19th, respectively, in the 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke events, while 15-year-old Bronwyn MacLeod finished 45th in the 50m backstroke. On the boys side, Quinn Nolan, 16, was 39th in the 200m breaststroke event, while 17-yearold Cameron Teasdale placed 16th in 100m breaststroke, 17th in A quartet of Middlesex Swimming athletes attended the Speedo Eastern Nationals in April, representing the club well with some strong performances 200m breaststroke,
and 22nd in 50m breaststroke. Meanwhile, the Middlesex Swimming Club was also active on the water polo side, as the team’s U14 boys squad earned a fourth-place finish at the Ontario Water Polo Championships in Scarborough, Ontario in mid-April, in the process qualifying for a spot at Nationals. In early May, the Club will compete at the Ontario Masters Provincial Championships (May 4-6 in Barrie, Ontario), an event the Middlesex women won in 2017. Stay tuned to the next issue of SportsXpress to find out how all the Middlesex swimmers fared at this year’s meet. Interested in joining Middlesex Swimming or learning more about the program? Email info@middlesexswimming.ca or visit www.middlesexswimming.ca.
www.middlesexswimming.ca
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Why is Junior Golf important? 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 promotes junior golf through summer camps, free weekly leagues, free Club Championships, free golf at Fanshawe’s Parkside 9, and by offering low, affordable membership packages and green fee prices for golfers aged 7 to 18.
should provide their own clubs. Proper footwear is required. Cost: $99 Resident, $104 Non-Resident.
Find us on Facebook: Search ‘City of London Municipal Golf Courses’
Follow us on Twitter: Search ‘CityGolfCourses’ or www.twitter.com/CityGolfCourses
www.london.ca/golf
2018 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
BARCODE 297442 297443 297444 297445
START DATE END DATE July 3 July 6 July 10 July 13 July 17 July 20 July 24 July 27
DAY Tues – Fri Tues – Fri Tues – Fri Tues – Fri
Golf instills in junior players a number of key values that can be carried throughout one’s life – both on and off the golf course.
TIME 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm 9am – 12pm
LOCATION Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course Thames Valley Golf Course
One Amazing Membership 5 Great Courses
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 17. Two rounds of 9 holes on The Hickory 9 Golf Course. Ages 7 to 18. • Junior Classic Club Championship – August 17. 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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JOIN US FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL LEXUS OF LONDON GOLF CLASSIC In support of prostate cancer research
The Oaks Golf Club | Monday, June 25, 2018 REGISTER ONLINE ($350/golfer) or call the Go to Lexus Concierge at 519-680-1900 to reserve your spot. (Individuals, twosomes, threesomes, or foursomes) Presenting sponsor
Print sponsor
Register at childhealth.ca/fun
In support of
Sunday, July 8 Sunningdale Golf & Country Club
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The best youth golf experience Submitted by London Junior Golf Development Centre The 2018 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.
Junior Golf League
At the pin (left to right), Foster, Matthieu and Tasi after finishing their Junior League match
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The smiles on the faces of Arianna (left) and Carly are the key to our program
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 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.
How do I register my child or find out more information? 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
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Competition, charity and routine Submitted by Family Karate The Family Karate Competition Team members have been very busy this year. So far, FKCT has had team members compete in tournaments in London, Ilderton, Stratford, Kitchener, Burlington, Chicago, and Quebec City. The team even saw three members compete in Dublin, Ireland! Upcoming competitions in London, Windsor and Detroit will keep the team busy for the next few months. Away from the ring, the team members, family and friends have continued the giving tradition by participating in the Bell Walk for Kids and helping at the London Food Bank. Way to go, team! The coaches have talked about setting ‘SMART’ goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely), and it's our daily routine that helps us reach those goals. By having a set warmup and preparation for competition and in training, our athletes set themselves up for more success. Similarly, if we come to every workout ready to work hard, listen, and focus on improvement, then the culmination of these efforts will translate
into success. On the other hand, if our pre-competition actions are always different, then it becomes harder to pin-point what changes we need to make if something isn’t working for us. And if we come to workouts with an inconsistent work ethic, we
won’t see a steady progression of skills. Our athletes are doing it the right way. Keep at it!
www.familykarate.ca
At Family Karate, the life of a competitor is about competition, charity and routine. And FKCT athletes are achieving great things both inside and outside the ring
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sportsfiles
The kids are alright Submitted by Olympic Karate In the digital age it’s easy for kids to have a spoiled attitude. They have access to so much ‘stuff,’ constantly barraging them with distractions and taking away from their focus and creativity. Now, more than ever, we need to truly commit to bettering ourselves by using simple daily discipline. But while it may
be easy to just think ‘kids these days are a lost cause,’ doomed to the abyss of social media and YouTube videos, there are actually many champions of the younger generation. And the ‘kids these days’ are not all what you might think. Meet Sarah. As a young 8-year-old, she has remarkable attendance at the
Sarah leading by example with Sensei Steve
dojo, comes to other classes to help younger students, and participates in all extracurricular karate classes. Sarah constantly demonstrates exemplary behaviour, and we are proud to have her helping sensei with classes. She has participated in past tournaments and won many medals. Although not the biggest competitor in stature, she is definitely the biggest in sportsmanship and smiles. Sarah will be joining us this summer for our summer day camp, where she will continue to practice her karate – and her awesome push-ups that she’s known for! Beyond karate, Sarah loves the outdoors and camping with her family. She loves her dogs Byron and Jackson, a Vizsla and German Shorthaired Pointer. Her favourite color is gold, which is fitting for someone who shines in everything that she does. Keep up the great work, Sarah! For everything karate-related, come visit us at Olympic Karate for your FREE trial today!
www.olympickarate.on.ca
Sarah with her dogs, Byron and Jackson
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Calendar of Events
contact London@SportsXpress.ca May 6 Investors Group Stars On Ice, Budweiser Gardens
May 26 London SUP Intro Lesson, Carling Heights Community Centre
June 9-11 London Dragon Boat Festival, Fanshawe Conservation Area
July 8 MEC London Century Ride, Toboggan Brewery
May11 London Majors Home Opener, Labatt Park
May 26 Indoor SUP Yoga, Carling Heights Community Centre
June 13 Jim Allen Memorial KidSport London Golf Tournament, The Oaks Golf & Country Club
July 13-15 3rd Annual London Tecumsehs Baseball Tournament, Stronach Fields
May 11-13, 25-27, June 1-3 St. Thomas Minor Baseball Tournaments, Doug Tarry Sports Complex
May 26-27 London Pickleball Tournament, Fanshawe College
June 16 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, St Marys
July 13-15 Monster Truck Throwdown, Delaware Speedway
May 11-13 Hollandia Spring Invitational, Canada Games Aquatic Centre
May 26-27 GOT GAME Street Hockey Tournament, Victoria Park
June 16 London's Corporate Challenge, Harris Park
July 19 29th Annual Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament Sunningdale Golf & Country Club
May 12 Hockey Helps The Homeless London, Western Fair Sports centre
May 26-27 London Sports & Activity Expo, Victoria Park
May 12 67th Season Opener, Delaware Speedway
May 27 Sunripe Tri Kids Triathlon, Carling Heights Community Centre
June 17 July 20 Father's Day Walk/Run Supporting Prostate Summer Night 5K Walk, Run & Kiddie Trot Cancer Canada, Springbank Gardens for The Bereaved Families of Ontario, Barking Frog June 23
May 12 Learn To Bowl, Elmwood Lawn Bowling Club
June 2-3 Fanshawe Yacht Club Annual Open House, Fanshawe Conservation Area
June 23 2nd Annual Oakridge Cup Soccer Tournament, Oakridge area fields
May 26 MEC London Race Three: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, St Julien Park
June 9 Rusty Wallace Driving Experience, Delaware Speedway
June 24 Running Against Ruptures, Greenway Park
May 26 Camluck Classic, Western Fair Raceway
June 9-10 Mopar Cdn National Superbike Series, Grand Bend Motorplex
June 25 Lexus of London Golf Classic, The Oaks Golf Course
UFE Canada Pro Qualifier, Centennial Hall
July 20-22 3rd Annual London Tecumsehs Baseball Tournament, Stronach Fields July 21 8th Annual Rug-Rat Back Pack Beach Volleyball Tournament, Port Stanley July 28-29 PWC MS Bike Tours, Grand Bend to London August 2-5 London 2018 Ontario Summer Games, Various locations
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Bentley Hearing recognizes Sporting Seniors
The Kiwanis Seniors’ Centre - Line Dancing group - The line dancing group at the Kiwanis Seniors’ Centre enjoys a great turnout thanks to the many benefits of the activity – and the fact that it’s fun!
Horton Street Seniors’ Centre: A Get Fit class at the Horton Street Seniors’ Centre, which boasts roughly 1,500 members and is located in the Boys & Girls Club of London building.
Members of the London Pickleball Club, who have come together to support one of their own and raise funds for ALS
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging: Front row (left to right): Mary Jane Lally, Bill Absolon, Nancy Biehl, Bala Balakrishnan, Rosemary Jaco, Mary Absolon, Bob Kymlicka, Frances Toll, Mary Vernon, Mary Ellen Kirk, Patricia Orrell, Shirley Johnson. Second row: Mary Anne McCoy, Christy Micallef, Gary Blay, Joan Blay, Loraine Patterson, Jackie Lutz, Barb Belbeck, Al Adili, Lauren Snell, Nick Jaco, Betty Bartlett, Doreen Jones, Katherine Turner, Ed Jackman, Nancy Johnson. Third row: Clara Fitzgerald (CCAA Director), Liz Beaujot, Rod Beaujot, Mary Lou Douglas-Dubois, Chrystal Sharp, Roberta Reardon, Teresa Janik, Steve Ries, Linda Mara, Barb Wilson, Vicki Noble, Louise Sabourin, Steve Males, Shirley Eastwood, Dave Johnson, Maeve Nugent. Back row: Doug Leighton, Margo Chris, Steve Mara, Ted Wilson, Suzanne Elston, Chandra Gajjar, Barb Robins, Tova Zarnowiecki, Nathan Garber, Susan Leach
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10:17 AM
LONDON BLUE DEVILS WELCOMES GIRLS FIELD TEAM We are excited to annouce our first ever Girls Field Lacrosse team. This year we have a U13 team
We were able to catch up with a player for a quick interview. Name: Brynnah Bishop Age: 10 TBD How many years have you been playing lacrosse? 2 Have you played box & field lacrosse? I played box lacrosse year, thanks to the new U13 Girls Field Team! What do you love about lacrosse? It’s fun, you meet friends, and it’s cool to learn. It’s an awesome sport that takes a lot of effort and running, which is good for me and my health. What are you looking forward to this season? I am looking fornew people. I’ve never played lacrosse with all girls before, so I’m interested to see what that’s like - I think it will be fun! Anything else you can tell us? I play quite a few sports but lacrosse is one of my favourites because I like all the passing and catching; it’s all about team. It’s a really incredible sport that’s kind of hard to explain to people – it’s best to come out and experience it for yourself!
www.londonlacrosse.com
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New ladies lacrosse team in town Submitted by the London Thrashers Calling all ladies 21 and over! Canada’s National Summer Sport is now open to women in the London and surrounding area. As part of the Ontario Women’s Box Lacrosse League (OWBLL), the London Thrashers was established to promote a new women’s sport in the London area. The Thrashers are gearing up for their very first season, which runs from April through August and includes league days, tournaments and Provincials. Practices will run once a week. Lacrosse is a full-contact, fast-moving sport and an incredible way to stay active during the summer months. In fact, it’s
played by many hockey players as a way to maintain conditioning during their offseason. Come out and see what it’s all about! All skill levels are welcome. Did we mention that absolutely no experience is necessary? We are also looking for sponsors, so if you are interested in helping to sponsor the team or help with our costs, please contact us about opportunities. If you’d like additional information, coaching/bench assistance info, or to register, contact Karie Wells at kariewells@rogers.com today!
The London Thrashers, a women’s box lacrosse team, is playing its first season this summer in the forest city
SUMMER TRAINING
• Jr. Session (born in 2003 - 2006), 6:00 - 7:30pm • Sr. Session (born in 2000 - 2002), 7:30 - 9:00pm
Ages 9-14
This is our original Feed the Fire program, with a focus on skill development and the essential fundamentals of volleyball. Athletes will focus on forearm passing, volleying, spiking and acquiring different serves! Led by Feed the Fire Coordinator, Craig Dixon, FTF Training will prepare these young athletes for the next step in the LVC Pathway, our Competitive Teams. Begins June 5 - Register today!
• Focus is on individual skill development in line with Volleyball Canada’s LTAD Model • Lead Coach: Patrick Johnston (Team Ontario 16U/18U Coach, Team Canada 17U Coach), Jeff Millar (Team Ontario 17U Coach), Program details and costs: Steve Dow (Team Ontario 16U www.lvcfire.com/vcep/ Coach)
Program details and costs: www.lvcfire.com/feed-the-fire-summer/
Session begins July 4 register today!
www.lvcfire.com/lvc-pathway
OWN THE NET!
Ages 11-17
Ages 14-17
LVCamp Week #1 July 23 - July 27
LVCamp Setter + Libero Edition August 8 - 10,
LVCamp Week #3 Aug 13 - 17
(*3 day mini-camp!)
Program details and costs: www.lvcfire.com/lvcamp/
Hone your skills at the net via this 8-week program focused on the situations you find yourself in EVERY match. Through video analysis, on-box training and high-volume repetition, athletes will make the gradual changes that will help them Own the Net! Begins June 21, register today! Program details and costs: www.lvcfire.com/own-the-net/
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Camp drills build skills Submitted by CrossCourt Volleyball
Youth Volleyball Camps Our popular summer day camps are back for a fourth season to help youth ages 9 to 16 continue to improve on their fundamental volleyball skills, through a good training plan, to help prepare them for club or school tryouts. Our directors and coaches have extensive experience working with kids in both competitive level and in developing young athletes. They specialize in ensuring that all athletes work on their volleyball fundamentals and that they develop a passion for the game through challenging and fun activities. As always, experienced guest coaches will be added in the next few weeks to
share their expertise and knowledge to our young participants. This summer you can attend our camps the weeks of July 9th, July 16th and August 20th.
Volleyball Bootcamp Making the club or school team is becoming a lot more competitive, so due to the overwhelming popularity of last year’s bootcamp, we will be back to help you get rid of the rust and bring your timing back for a successful tryout! Our coaches will make sure that you are ready by providing the best drills and game action that you need. You don’t want to miss London's first and only volleyball bootcamp!
• When: Sept. 4, 5 & 6, 2018 • Times: 6:00-8:00pm To register for our summer camps and/ or bootcamp, please fill out a registration form located on our website at:
www.crosscourtvb.com
CrossCourt Volleyball is excited to offer youth camps this summer during the months of July and August. And in September, back by popular demand, the club will offer a volleyball bootcamp to prepare youngsters for their school/club tryouts
Toronto Blue Jays
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Road Trips vs.
Washington Nationals
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Summer programs ahead! Submitted by London Sharks Volleyball
PERFORMANCE
ACADEMY
Summer Performance Academy
The Performance Academy Program is designed specifically to support athletes who wish to achieve excellence in their volleyball skills. The program offers conditioning, individual skills, and other benefits that will assist athletes in elevating their game. Athletes interested in varsity, provincial or national teams will find in this program the necessary elements to achieve that level of play. When: June 5 to August 9 Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 6:30pm to 8:00pm Cost: $185
CAMPS
CLINICS
Summer Camps & Clinics
With over 25 years of combined coaching experience, the
London Sharks Volleyball Club, in partnership with Supreme Courts Volleyball, are the premier providers of volleyball camps, volleyball clinics, and volleyball education in London. The coaches, combined with our competitive camp structure, will challenge you, push you, and help you prepare for your coming high school season and future playing opportunities. Ultimately, we want you to ‘end better than you started.’
8:30am – 5:00pm before and after-care.
Summer Youth City League and Junior Academy We will continue offering this great program during the summer for those interested in learning the game and enjoying improving their skills in a supportive environment. If 10 weeks of great drills and lots of playing time is what you want, then we have it for you!
London Sharks Summer Day Camps (2018) OPTION 1: July 2 to 6 OPTION 2: Aug 13 to 17
When: June 4 to August 8 Days/Times: Mondays and Wednesdays (10 weeks) – 5:30pm to 7:00pm Cost: $140.
These camps are ideal for athletes 9 to 16 years old who are looking to improve their skills in passing, setting, hitting, serving etc., and/or to maintain their overall competitive level.
Let our developmental and competitive coaches work with you! All camps and programs are held at Supreme Courts Volleyball (11 Buchanan Court).
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Cost: $185 for the 5 days. Add $25 for
www.londonsharks.ca
The summer is filled with opportunities for players to improve their skills through the London Sharks Volleyball program, including a Performance Academy as well as camps and clinics.
Detroit Tigers
June 30
New York Yankees
July 7
Details on page 8
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Peak performances at provincials Submitted by Forest City Gymnastics The Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships were held April 5th-8th this year, and the Forest City Gymnastics’ team represented the club well in both the Men’s (MAG) and Women’s (WAG) disciplines. We had eight athletes attend the Championships, including … Women: Georgia Chant, level 6, Age 12; Ava Donohue, level 6, Age 12; Melissa Gagnon-Wease, level 7, age 13; Eleni Neal, level 7, Age 13; and Sarah Gantlett, level 8, Age 14. Men: Keegan Crook, Level 1, Age 1213; Elias Dekoter, Level 3, Age 13-17; and Nicholas Homsi, Level 2, Age 12-13. Our MAG athletes represented #TEAMFCGC very well and had some awesome finishes! Elias achieved a seasonhigh All-Around (AA) score, which is extra hard to do at Championships, while Keegan took home the All-Around Silver Medal in his category! Nick stayed consistent throughout his meet and impressively won his entire category – taking home the All-Around Gold
medal! Provincial MAG team coach, Keith Newton was thrilled to see all of their hard work pay off, and he’s excited to see the boys continue to grow as athletes and as young men. Meanwhile, our WAG team brought home lots of hardware and happy milestones as well, including Melissa hitting 4 of 4 routines at her first ever Championships. Eleni finishing 8th on Vault in a very tough category! Ava and Georgia both had two top 10 finishes at their first ever optionals Championships. Ava placed 8th on VT and 9th on FX, and Georgia placed 8th VT and took home the Silver medal on BB! Wrapping up the highlight reel was a stellar showing from Sarah in Level 8, as she took home the All-Around Gold medal in her category! She placed 2nd on VT, 5th on UB, 6th on BB, and 8th on FX. She also earned a spot on Team Ontario to compete in the Eastern Canadian Championships in May! “It’s phenomenal to see the
team have such success and to mark an amazing first full year in our big, new facility,” said Competitive Program Director, Merritt Lymburner. “The athletes and coaches work very hard all year, so seeing the results at Championships is fantastic and proof that hard work pays off.” For more information on programs, visit www.forestcitygym.com. You can also follow FCGC and its athletes on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!
www.forestcitygym.com
It was a great showing at the provincial championships for the Forest City Gymnastics team, which came away with plenty of medals and personal high scores
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Using sport and activity for life! Submitted by The Little Gym of London At The Little Gym, our main focus is to offer the families of London an alternative to the traditional sports activities for children. There are lots of great activities for children in our city, but we aim to be different. The way we do that is through our goals for the children, our curriculum, and the way we use various sports to give children at a young age the tools they need for life. Our Parent and Child classes (ages 4 months to 3 years) promote early development and provide a strong foundation for your child’s critical first three years. And since you’re along for the ride, you’ll be right there to celebrate every discovery with smiles, hugs and the occasional adult-sized giggle. Our Pre-K classes (ages 3 to 5) have you watching your child go from cart-
wheels to confidence with lots of giggles along the way. Our programs for toddlers and kindergarteners in London has been specially designed to help your child channel their boundless energy and reach developmental milestones in a structured environment. Classes are available in gymnastics, dance and sports skills development. For our Grade School classes (ages 6 to 12), every child learns and develops at their own pace. So, our Kids Gymnastics classes give your child the chance to tackle new challenges at their own skill level. Celebrated with cheers and highfives, each new achievement leads to newfound confidence, determination and a desire to continue improving. We are now enrolling for our summer session (July-August) and Summer
Camps for 4-to-9-year-olds (both half and full-day). Also, during July and August we are bringing back our popular specialized 3-hour School Readiness program for children aged 3 to 4 who are looking for help in preparing for their first year of kindergarten. And by mid-May, our fall session will be open to the public. Contact us to get your class spot saved soon because popular class times fill up very quickly! Visit our website at www.tlglondoncan. com and click on the bubble in the bottom right corner to download all our class and camp flyers for all the details and pricing. Then call us at 519-642-0660 so we can answer any other questions you have. We hope to hear from you soon!
www.tlglondoncan.com
The Little Gym of London is about doing things differently. Using sports activities, the various programs offered help with healthy child development and provide youngsters with skills that will help them in all walks of life!
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The love of coaching Submitted by Power Cheer Gym At the core of every minor sports program are the coaches, who put in countless hours of mentoring, teaching and organizing that extend well beyond the specific practice sessions. We asked several Power Cheer Gym coaches what it is they love about coaching their respective age groups … “I love coaching Tiny and Mini (ages 5-8) because I get to work with the athletes and shape raw talent right from the start of their journey through our program and give them a foundation that they can always look back on. I love watching young athletes grow up together, creating lifelong memories and friendships. I wouldn't trade it for the world!” – Coach Lauren “Watching a team grow. Sharing the struggles, the battles, the wins and the losses are all part of being a Senior Level 4 (ages 1418) coach. Being with them as they come together as a team, supporting each other, pushing each other to be better on and off the floor – that's why I come to this gym every day.” – Coach Garrett “The Youth 2 team (ages 8-11) embodies what every coach wishes for when
they commit to coaching – seeing the young ladies come together and train hard to develop their cheer skills, work through challenges, and always encouraging each other to be their best.” – Coach Susan “I love seeing the Mini athletes (ages 7-8) experience cheerleading for the first time – and then to watch them fall in love with the sport. There is nothing more rewarding.” – Coach Jo “Coaching Juniors (ages 11-14) is important to the entire gym, as this is the age group that bridges Youth to the Seniors. I love keeping the fun in the sport while building more intricate routine skills that the athletes will use through Senior and on to College.” – Coach Ty
Shiloh and the Joy of Youth
Kelsey and Riley: ‘I’ve got your back’
Join us for the Spring Tryouts and TryIT days May 23-28. PCG has a team for every age and ability group!
www.powercheergym.com pcgvipers
Building trust with the Tiny’s
Senior Coed – athletic and entertaining
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Spring Tryouts and Team Placement week
@PCGVipers
Hailey is all smiles on her Youth team
Alex: Sr. Coed Level 4 – A Great Sport!
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Royals crowned champs Submitted by CheerStrike Season 5 was an eventful one for CheerStrike Royals Inc. We added new teams, attended new competitions, and reached new heights. There were many moments of celebration for all our athletes, coaches and families this season. With over 200 competitive athletes now
training at the Royal Palace, there were plenty of moments of individual triumphs and achievements. The Royals teams performed their hearts out this season and entertained crowds all over Ontario. Apart from the spectacular performances all our teams consistently put on the floor, the highlights from the season were 12 teams finishing in the top 3 at the Ontario Championships, as well as Ontario Championship titles for our Mini level 1 team (Monarchs) and our Junior level 4 team (Legacy). At the Cheer Evolution National Championships, five Royals teams walked away with bronze medal finishes, and our Youth level 1 team The Royal family enjoyed a fantastic fifth season, with athletes reaching goals and celebrating some (Imperial) captured their impressive accomplishments
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The CheerStrike Royals’ Youth level 1 team, Imperial, won their first ever national championship title this season
first ever National Championship title. This team of talented 9 to 11-year-olds also received a bid to compete at the Canadian Finals and placed 4th against the best level 1 teams from across Canada. We are very proud of our first ever level 4 team, Legacy. They also received a bid to the Canadian Finals, and when faced with competing against the best, these girls rose to the challenge. They put on a show for the crowd and walked away proudly with a 5th place finish. Season 6 will see more teams added to our Royal family for what we are sure will be another year of goals reached and expectations exceeded. Interested in joining the Royal family? Email info@cheerstrikeroyals.com.
www.cheerstrikeroyals.com
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Celebrating 20 years! By Richelle Hirlehey Since 1997, Dance Extreme has been trusted by families to educate and inspire children. In our studio, dancers learn about dedication, hard work, being a team player, time management, self-esteem, problem-solving, respect, confidence and so much more. Twenty years ago, Rebecca Brettingham-Filice pursued her dream of opening a dance studio when she began to offer dance classes in both St. Thomas and Dorchester. While pursuing her Political Science degree, her dream of Dance Extreme was born through her nightly commute to the outskirts of
London. “Dance isn’t just about dance, it helps with building confidence and self-esteem,” said Brettingham-Filice. “We pride ourselves on teaching all our students lessons that they will carry with them always.” Dance Extreme celebrates the 20th Anniversary with our 2018 Recital Performances. Dance Extreme has long been a part of the London community through performing at local events, providing donations to local schools and community groups for their fundraising efforts, and teaching dance to school-
aged children through various events in London and the surrounding area. Notable performances over the years include performing in 2001 at the Ontario Summer Games at TD Waterhouse Stadium, The London International Children’s Festival in 2009, and a memorable performance in London, England for the 2012 Olympic Summer Games. We moved into our first location at 312 Commissioners Rd. West, starting out with only two studios, before moving to our new location at 725 Notre Dame Drive, which hosts six studios, a large family kitchen, and a birthday party/art room. Along the way, we have grown our family and continue to witness milestones, successes, and growth on a daily basis. We are so grateful that so many of our students have grown into being teachers who share their love of dance now at Dance Extreme with their students. Dance Extreme is thrilled to have played such an integral part in many people’s lives. We invite you to join us in celebration at our 2018 Recital – Now & Then – at the Grand Theatre on June 9 & 10, 2018. Please visit www.danceextreme.com for more details.
www.danceextreme.com
Dance Extreme, which is celebrating 20 years in 2018, continues to provide an exceptional dance experience to youngsters of all ages and abilities
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Alum succeeding on and off field Submitted by London Minor Football Association LMFA: How did playing LMFA help you prepare for high school football? Ethan: Playing LMFA prepared me for high school football by teaching me the key and important aspects of the game. It taught me the fundamentals necessary to become the player I am today, and the competitive aspect it brought prepared me for high school. LMFA: What lessons learned by playing football have helped you off the field? Ethan: Growing up playing LMFA and football as a whole has given me tools that I can use off the field in everyday life to be successful. It showed me that to be successful you must put in hard work, which has helped with things like academics. LMFA also teaches you how to work as part of a team and work together in tough situations. Lastly, it has helped mould me into the person I am today. LMFA: What is your favourite memory or game from your LMFA career? Ethan: Playing Ethan was honoured with last year’s SPECTRA award with the same group
The London Minor Football Association (LMFA) celebrates our 60th season this fall. At the same time, one of our recently graduated players will be starting a new chapter in his career after accepting a football scholarship to the University of Guelph. Ethan Martin played in the LMFA for six years, and then went on to win four WOSSA championships and an OFSAA championship while maintaining top grades at South Secondary School. Last year Ethan won the SPECTRA award for outstanding male athlete in the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRAA). We recently spoke with him about his time in the LMFA ‌
Martin won four WOSSA championships and an OFSAA title at South Secondary School
Ethan Martin (left) from his Tyke playing days in the LMFA
of guys for six years and winning six straight championships. LMFA: Would you like to add anything else? Ethan: LMFA is a great organization that allows for any kid to be a part of the greatest sport ever. It helps with the understanding and fundamentals of football, and it adds in a competitive aspect which all kids love. Playing and being a part of such a great organization gave me memories and friendships that I will never forget. For more information on the 2018 LMFA fall season, please visit www.lmfafootball.ca or call 519-852-4465.
www.lmfafootball.ca
as the outstanding male athlete in the TVRAA
FOR AN IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION CALL 519 661 - 6895
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In The Last 48 Hours? Call Our Acute Injury Clinic Today
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Western honours athletes Submitted by Western Mustangs and photos by Brandon VandeCaveye Western Mustangs athletes were three seasons, and he was a driving force honoured for their achievements in on this year's Vanier Cup Championship 2017-2018 when the university’s Athletic team. Also nominated for the Trophy was Awards Gala was held at the London men’s rower Andre Pelletier. Convention Centre in early April. Larissa Werbicki won the Female Women’s soccer player Jenna White Athlete of the Year Award after a phenomearned the 62nd F.W.P. Jones Trophy, enal season on the Mustangs women’s while men’s football player Alex Taylor rowing team, in which she became the and men’s swimmer Gamal Assaad were first female athlete in the 18-year hisnamed co-winners of the 79th Dr. Claude tory of the Canadian University Rowing Brown Memorial Trophy. Both awards Championships to win all three lightare presented to an athlete judged to weight events in the same year. Other have made the greatest contribution to nominees were women’s volleyball’s intercollegiate athletics during their time Kelsey Veltman and women’s cross counat Western. try’s Kristina Popadich. Jenna White helped Western claim Men’s football player Jean-Gabriel three OUA silver medals and one OUA Poulin received the Male Athlete of bronze, and compete in the national the Year Award. The middle linebacker championship three times over the past earned First Team OUA All-Star and First five years. Also nominated for the Trophy Team All-Canadian honours, and he was were women’s hockey’s Emma Pearson and women’s rugby’s Nikki Case. Assaad captured 18 medals during his career at the OUA Swimming Championships, along with another five at the U SPORTS Championships. Taylor, meanwhile, has been named an OUA All-Star and U SPORTS AllGamal Assaad (swimming) and Alex Taylor (football) were named Jenna White (soccer) wrapped up her co-winners of the Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy five-year Mustangs career by winning Canadian each of the past
crucial in the team’s national championship season. Other nominees were men’s track and field’s Daniel Gleason and men’s squash’s David Mill. Also presented were the prestigious Purple Blanket awards, given to studentathletes, usually in their graduating year, that are judged to have made an outstanding contribution to Western athletics. The 14 Purple Blankets handed out this year went to Pearson, Case, Taylor, Assaad, Pelletier and Poulin, as well as: women’s volleyball’s Aja Gyimah; men’s rowing’s Reid Vassallo; women’s rowing’s Marilyse Dubois; football’s Nick Vanin; softball’s Rachael Jacques; women’s volleyball’s Kat Tsiofas; men’s rugby’s Peter Milazzo; and women’s basketball’s Mackenzie Puklicz..
www.westernmustangs.ca WESTERN MUSTANGS 2017-2018 TEAM MVPS Badminton: Jack Hall & Cara de Belle Baseball: Matt Bowden Basketball: Marko Kovac & Mackenzie Puklicz Cross Country: Ben Carson & Kristina Popadich Curling: Ryan Thompson-Brown & Carolyne Graham Fencing: John Huang & Victoria Edwards Field Hockey: Marielle Fernback Figure Skating: Denis Margalik Football: Jean-Gabriel Poulin Golf: Mac Carter & Tasha Macdonald Hockey: Luke Peressini & Evra Levesque Lacrosse: Jackson Rakoczy & Hayley Liske Ringette: Hailie Pavanel Rowing: Reid Vassallo & Larissa Werbicki Rugby: Mike Coldwells & Arielle Dubisette-Borrice Soccer: Kody Thomson & Julia Crnjac Softball: Rachael Jacques Squash: David Mill & Lindsey Smith Swimming: Matt Loewen & Charis Huddle Table Tennis: Aaron Bo-Yun Hsueh & Helen Qiu Tennis: Mark Jensen & Helen He Track and Field: Daniel Gleason & Caroline Stricelj Ultimate Frisbee: Neal McKinnon & Katherine Fraser Volleyball: Chris Newcombe & Kelsey Veltman Water Polo: Maksym Koval Wrestling: Brayden Ambo & Michalia Walls
the 62nd F.W.P. Jones Trophy
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A year of tournament titles Contributions by Chris Latour and photo by Melissa Mould The West London Hawks Atom MD squad capped off a spectacular season by winning an Alliance Tier 1 championship in mid-April – and with an impressive 1-0 overtime win over Kitchener to do it. It marked their seventh tournament title of the season, a year in which the team went a perfect 7-for-7 in tournament play. Despite losing their first two games in the Alliance Championships, the team rebounded quickly and secured a spot in a semi-final, where they beat a very strong Hamilton team to advance to the final. That’s where overtime magic lifted the Hawks to Alliance Gold. Besides winning the West Alliance title at the end of March (which earned them a spot in the Alliance Championships), the Atom Hawks won five other tournament
titles during the 2017-18 season. congratulations are in order for their hard It all started with the Stratford Early work, determination, and the heart that Bird Tournament in September, in which they showed throughout the season. the team gelled quickly and captured Go Hawks Go! the championship. And that was followed by wins at the Guelph Powerplay, the Silverstick in Chatham, the Lift Lock Tournament in Peterborough, and the West London tourney in their hometown. In each, the Hawks came back from early round losses to win titles – and against some of the most talented teams from around the province. West London Hawks Atom MD Team: Coaches (left to right): Rob Van Dasler, Fred Cousins, Chris Latour, Mike It was a phenomenal Hales. Players - Top row: Aidan Head, Tanner Ballentyne, Spencer Preete, Logan Hales, Connor Dowding, Gabriel Latour, Ian Van Dasler, Rory Wilkins. Middle row: Jacob Nadeau, Michael Rider, Emerson McInerney, Hunter Mould, Jack Cousins, Nolan McKay. Front row: Jacob Merritt, Rowan Kutney, Carter Robertson. year for the Atoms, and
STREET HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
During the tournament interact with sports-minded vendors, watch demonstrations and participate in traditional and non-traditional sports and activities.
May 26 & 27, 2018 Victoria Park, London, Ontario Hundreds of youth, adult and corporate teams will be taking over Victoria Park and surrounding streets for 2 days of exciting street hockey action. Visit GOTGAMEsports.ca for more information
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Featured Sylvan All-Star NASH KELLY
Aeros go all the way Contributions by Scott Wain and photo by XGEN Photo Dominant is one way to describe the Bandits. And in addition to their impres2017-18 season that the Oakridge Aeros sive success against these opponents, Novice 3 MD team enjoyed. A quick look the Oakridge squad won a pair of tourat their overall record – 55 wins, 3 losses naments too. What was the key to their and 3 ties – is simple proof of that. success? One reason, their coach says, “Our year really was a Cinderella was their ability to put constant pressure season,” Aeros coach Scott Wain said. on the puck. “All the coaches and parents couldn’t be “Our team is relentless,” said Wain, who prouder of the team’s hard work, dedicahas been coaching hockey for 12 years tion and accomplishments this year.” and has played the game throughout his Winning, although it happened often, life. “We don’t allow teams to have much wasn’t the core goal for the Oakridge time or space, and we give up very few Novice squad, according to Wain. At the chances.” beginning of the year, the team’s mission That relentlessness certainly worked was really to have the players develop a deep love for the game hockey, and to learn to play well as a team. The kids did that and then some. Playing in the Alliance West division, the Aeros competed throughout the year against Stratford, Sarnia, North London, Oakridge Aeros - Novice 3 MD Team: Back row coaches (left to right): Josh Beaulieu, Scott Wain, Jamie Chamberlain, West London Dan Rath. Middle row: Caleb Dann, Jack Davidson, Xander Cunningham, Elliot Etheridge, Ryan Beaulieu, Zack Attard, Maxwell Wain, Austin Hudson, Tyler Dawe, Nathan Allain, Cohen Chamberlain, Nicholas Keith. Front row: Nash Kelly, and the London
to help lead the team to an outstanding season, in which everything they touched seemingly turned to gold. After winning the Alliance West Championship, the Oakridge Novices went on to reign supreme as they won the overall Alliance title to cap off an unforgettable year. It was a year of winning, to be sure, but Wain says it was also a whole lot of fun. “When the players are having a blast at the rink, and when they understand we need every one of them to be successful, it really is fun to be part of.”
www.oakridgeaeroshockey.ca
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Extra prep pays off Submitted by Snipe Academy The Elgin Middlesex Chiefs 2002 Minor Midget AAA team started the 201-18 year with specific goals and strategies. With 10 new players to the team, the first was to bond and gel as a unit – while at the same time working to improve and expand the skill set of each of the players. Beginning last May, that objective as a team began with on-ice training and dryland sessions, and in the process the boys were introduced to a new facility in London called Snipe Academy. Launched by a AAA hockey coach, the Academy offers well-structured programs
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– with high-quality instructors – for players looking to improve little things within their game that can make a big difference. For the Minor Midget Chiefs, that meant private on-ice one-on-one training with the Snipe Academy’s Rapid Shot program, which was implemented for each player with the objective of increasing passing speed, shot speed, reaction time, and accuracy. The focus was on improvement and increasing player strength, and this was a key component in the scoring ability of both the Chiefs’ offensive and defensive
lines. The results were particularly seen from mid-season onward. Despite a slow start, the Minor Midgets climbed steadily in the second half to finish in fifth place (due to a win-loss points tiebreaker with Waterloo). They enjoyed an 11-game undefeated streak, and from Dec. 12 until the end of the year they posted an impressive record of 17-4-4, including regular season and playoff games. In other words, player development soared in the second half. The Chiefs were one of two teams with players in the top 6 in points in
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Last shot for graduating Nats Submitted by the London Nationals The playoffs are always the peak of every hockey season, but for the graduating captains of the London Nationals, this year’s playoff round meant a little more knowing that it would be their last shot. Captain Brenden Trottier and assistant captains Derek Di Iorio, Brandon Glover and Carson Brookshaw will be retiring from the team and hanging up their skates after this season. All four have been captains of the Nationals since the start of the year, following the retirement of Nationals alumni Austin Kemp. Kemp’s leadership, Brookshaw says, inspired each of them to perform their best roles as leaders throughout the year. After enjoying a successful regular season and winning the GOJHL Western Conference Championship for the third year in a row, the Nationals have attributed their success to their positive attitudes and coaching style.
“This program has given me friends that will last my entire life and a coaching staff that will continuously follow up and check in on me after I’m done playing,” said Brandon Glover. “They know there’s more than hockey in this life, and that a lot of the guys on the team are in school and work. I think that’s what drives our team to be successful – the ability to understand and feel that all of your teammates and coaches truly care about you.” Since it’s their last year, the captains have expressed that this year’s playoffs have taken on even more meaning. “The other two years we still obviously gave it everything we had, but knowing this is your last shot adds a little bit more sentimental value to it,” said Brenden Trottier. “I'm really hoping we can take it all the way this year.” As the pressure increases in the playoffs, the captains play an integral role in being prime motivators for the rest of the players. Glover identified that a positive mindset is their driving force for success. “You need to pick up your teammates when they're down A quartet of London Nationals captains will be graduating following the 2017-18 season, including captain Brenden Trottier and assistant captains Derek Di Iorio, Brandon Glover and and have a good atCarson Brookshaw
the Alliance, including Rylan Bowers (27 goals and 50 assists for 77 points) and Michael McKnight (21 goals and 44 assists for 65 points). And the Chiefs
titude,” he said. But regardless of the outcome for the Nationals during the Sutherland Cup Championships this year, the true win for the players is the friendships and the skills they’ve gained that will last a lifetime. And what is their final advice as they compete in their last playoff run as members of the London Nationals? “Enjoy it,” said Trottier. “I've been playing in the league for five years now, and it goes by fast. Have fun and don’t take each year for granted. And most importantly, always be a good teammate.” “Don’t take it for granted,” said Glover. “It went by really fast, and I know that I never stressed about hockey that much, but some guys do get a little worked up. So, just take a moment and realize that you are still playing a game that you love and that you are good at. There is no need to stress or panic.” “Live it up while you can because before you know it you’re in your last year and making your last run,” said Di Iorio. “So, have fun while you’re doing it.” “Just keep with the coaches’ systems, work hard, and support the new guys coming in,” said Brookshaw. “Show them the ‘Nationals way.’”
www.londonnationals.on.ca
became the team to watch by the Ontario scouting agency going into the playdown rounds. And watch they did, as four Chiefs
were chosen in the OHL draft, including Nathan Small (Owen Sound Attack, 7th round, 129th overall), Rylan Bowers (Mississauga Steelheads, 12th round, 238th overall), Michael McKnight (Mississauga Steelheads, 14th round, 268th overall), and Billy Faragher, (Sarnia Sting, 15th round, 299th overall). Success is a journey. And for the Minor Midget Chiefs, it began with preparation. Snipe Academy proved to be an instrumental tool on that path, and we’re excited to continue working with the team there to improve the skills of all our players.
www.snipeacademy.com Elgin Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midget AAA Team: Bottom row (left to right): Gordie O'Dywer, Colton Wiacek, Jeff Roy (assistant coach), Rylan Bowers, Dave Warren (head coach), Cameron Krupa, Sean Nother (assistant coach), Billy Faragher, Bryce Walcarius. Top row: Bob Smith (assistant coach), Sean Aitken, Cole Schnittker, Tyler Mosher, Nathan Small, Ian Babenko, Colin McDonald, Kearnan Jenney, Jeff Carr, Josh Kim, Nolan Adkins, Coleman Bennett, Michael McKnight. Absent: Luke Roy (trainer), Krista Schnittker (manager)
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Leff a leader in youth hockey Contributions by Spencer Noonan What sort of impact has Dave Leff had on the West London Minor Hockey Association (WLMHA)? Just ask some of his colleagues, and they’ll tell you that the man who just completed three years as president of the Association did so in admirable fashion, ensuring that numerous youngsters had the opportu-
nity to experience hockey in a top-notch organization. “Under Dave’s leadership, West London Minor Hockey has continued to deliver the best possible hockey experience to our players and their families,” says Spencer Noonan, a fellow long-time board member of the Association. “Along
the way, he has always had the ability to lead when needed and seek input from others, when required, to make the organization the best it can be.” Leff recently decided to step away from his role on the West London Board after serving for five years (including three as president). During that time, he was a key player in developing the Association to become one of the best minor hockey programs in the city for youngsters who love to play the game. During his tenure, the WLMHA was able to reduce fees across all age groups while increasing membership. The club’s Tyke / IP program was the best in the Alliance, Noonan says, and the West London program has continued to be ‘the gold standard.’ “Dave has always been a passionate supporter of West London Hockey, whether it’s been assisting on the bench for numerous teams, volunteering his time on the board, and attending countless GLHA and Alliance meetings. He has certainly always represented West London Hockey’s values.”
Dave Leff has played a major role in youth hockey in London for many years, including most recently as the president of West London Minor Hockey
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fromthesidelines
Draftees taking the next step Submitted by the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs It’s been a busy few weeks for the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs hockey program. First, the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario announced they had awarded a Major Midget team to the Chiefs’ organization – to begin play next season. Then, on April 7, the 2018 OHL Priority Draft took place, and when the dust settled four Elgin Middlesex Chiefs heard their names called. We asked those players their thoughts about getting drafted ...
“It has always been a dream of mine to be drafted into the OHL, and it feels amazing that this has come true... I’m willing to put in a lot of hard work over the summer to improve my game and to get to that next level.”
Rylan Bowers
Michael McKnight
How did it feel to get drafted by the Mississauga Steelheads? “It felt amazing seeing my name being called out by the Mississauga Steelheads. It has always been a dream of mine to be drafted into the OHL, and it feels amazing that this has come true. I am very excited for my road ahead with this great organization.” What are you most excited about? “I’m most excited about playing at the next level. Whether it's the OHL or Jr. B hockey, I am looking forward to making a new team and making a name for myself. And I’m willing to put in a lot of hard work over the summer to improve my game and to get to that next level.” Who do you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “I would like to thank my parents and family for making countless trips to the rink and out of town games and tournaments, and of course for all their support. I’d also like to thank my coaches for all the hard work they have put in ... video sessions, practices, dryland and many games. And I’d like to thank my teammates for the friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.”
How did it feel to get drafted by the Mississauga Steelheads? “It felt amazing to get drafted by the Mississauga Steelheads, I was very happy to see my name pop up and was also excited to see my line-mate come to Mississauga with me. When I heard the news, I was in a restaurant in Toronto just before going to a Leafs game, so it was an amazing night.” What are you most excited about? “I’m most excited about playing at the highest level that I can, and about going to camp and playing with and against OHL players.” Who do you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “I would like to thank all my coaches throughout my career for developing me to get to where I am today. I’d also like to thank my teammates for pushing me to do my best and making me better – as a player and a person – and for their friendships. And I want to thank my parents for supporting me and giving me feedback to make me a better player. They also drive me to all my skates and teach me what’s right and wrong.”
Mississauga Steelheads (12th Round /238th Overall)
Detroit Lions
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Mississauga Steelheads (14th Round/ 268th Overall)
and Buffalo Bills
Road Trips
Billy Faragher
Sarnia Sting (15th Round, 299th Overall)
How did it feel to get drafted by the Sarnia Sting? “It is very exciting to be drafted by the Sarnia Sting, as they’ve been one of the top OHL teams this past season. Although being a late pick in the draft, I am still glad that I have a shot to show them my game and how I can contribute to the organization.” What are you most excited about? “I am most excited about experiencing the atmosphere at the next level and competing with and against some of the top players in Ontario. As well, I'm happy that I can create relationships with the players I've been playing against for many years in minor hockey.” Who do you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “I'd like to thank Coach Dave Warren and the whole coaching staff from this
season, but also all of my previous coaches who have taught me and helped me develop as a player and a person. I’d also like to thank my teammates and friends from past seasons for making the game fun and enjoyable on and off the ice every day. And most importantly I'd like to thank my parents and family for supporting me, and for everything they’ve done to get me to this point.”
way, like Darcy Cox, Cory Breklemans, Jeff Roy, and especially Dave Warren. And I’d like to thank my parents as well, who have always supported me in my hockey journey.”
www.elginmiddlesexchiefs.com
Nathan Small
Owen Sound Attack (7th round/129th overall)
How did it feel to get drafted by Owen Sound? “It was an honour to get drafted by Owen Sound of the OHL … it felt amazing.” What are you most excited about? “To have the opportunity to take my game to a higher level and actually play in the OHL someday.” Who do you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “I’d like to thank my coaches along the
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teamprofiles LONDON KNIGHTS 2018 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION PICKS
New talent for Knights
42. Gerard Keane – Defence (Chicago Mission 16U) 53. Sean McGurn – Centre (Ottawa Senators) 74. Ben Roger – Defence (Quinte Red Devils) 94. Avery Winslow – Defence (Notre Dame Hounds) 114. Brett Brochu – Goalie (Chatham-Kent Cyclones) 134. Brendan Mairs – Right Wing (London Jr. Knights) 154. Jacob Truscott – Defence (Detroit Little Caesars 15’S) 174. Dane Dowiak – C/LW (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U) 194. Dario Beljo – Centre (Sudbury Wolves) 214. Grant Eastwood – Right Wing (Smiths Falls Bears) 234. Chase Strychaluk – Right Wing (Oakville Rangers) 254. Owen Willis – Goalie (Markham Majors) 294. Vincent Labelle – Centre (Rockland Nationals)
By Carlos Preza Looking towards a very bright future that could see the likes of Evan Bouchard, Alex Formenton, Liam Foudy, and many more prospects leading the way, the Knights added multiple players at the 2018 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection who are expected to add a heavy dose of firepower and skill to the lineup. With the 14th overall pick (from the Oakville Rangers), the Knights selected Luke Evangelista. At 5-foot-10, 146 pounds, Evangelista is quick, he battles hard for loose pucks, and he is extremely creative offensively. Having recorded a remarkable 95 points in 41 games last season, Knights fans should expect plenty of production from this gifted winger in the future.
Luke Evangelista, the Knights’ 14th overall pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection
With their 21st overall pick, the Knights selected Antonio Stranges from Detroit Little Caesars 16U. This 5-foot-10 centre/left wing is considered by some to be one of the most skilled players from this year’s priority selection, and with his incredible speed and playmaking ability he has an extraordinary ability to create scoring chances. Shortly thereafter, using a pick received in the Sam Miletic trade at the deadline, the Knights made the 23rd overall pick – this time taking Sahil Panwar from Detroit HoneyBaked 16U. Panwar is a 5-foot-11 centre that is strong and creative with the puck. Having an ability to get open on the ice contributes to his aptitude for finding the net.
www.londonknights.com
Antonio Stranges was taken 21st overall by the Knights
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At pick #23, London selected centre Sahil Panwar
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Williamson achieves franchise milestone By Laura Vere and photos by London Camera Club Garrett Williamson has been a member of the London Lightning for four seasons. He was a key piece of their 2017 NBL-C Championship and has had his most successful season with the Bolts this past season. Williamson battled through different injuries in seasons two and three with the Lightning, including a rather serious hamstring pull, and it looked like he might be leaving the hardwood for good after the 2017 Championship. But after a summer of recovery, Williamson re-signed with the Lightning in the fall of
2017. And the 2017-18 season marked his first full 40-game campaign with the Lightning. The result? Williamson became the alltime leading scorer in Lightning history this year. At the end of the 2017-18 regular season, he had recorded 2,031 total points, and that number will continue to grow the deeper the Lightning advance in the playoffs (at the time of this writing, the NBL postseason was in full swing). Williamson was born and raised in Philadelphia, but he holds dual-citizenship thanks to his mother, a Canadian, and thus he is classified as Canadian on the Lightning roster. This season,
Williamson became the first Canadian player in NBL history to reach the 2,000 points milestone. Not only is Williamson a great basketball player, but he is also a class act and one of the most professional players you can find. He is in the top three in almost every statistical category in Lightning career records for regular season play, and he sits in top spot in seven out of 10 playoff career categories. It is safe to say that Garrett Williamson will go down as one of the best players in London Lightning history.
www.lightningbasketball.ca
Garrett Williamson has had a storied career with the London Lightning, and this season he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer
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