sport in aurora vol. 2 issue 3

Volume 2 ||| Issue 3

FORMER NHL PLAYER, JIM THOMSON CHANGING LIVES PG.11

DUCKS ARE “CAMPING” AT STRONACH AURORA RECREATION COMPLEX! PG.15

YORK ‘97’S HOCKEY TEAM WINS CHOWDER CUP PG.08

SO ALL KIDS CAN PLAY IN AURORA!PG.08

PLUS

PARALYMPIANSummer Mortimer Prepares for the Paralympic Games

RUGBYAurora Barbs Youth Rugby Practices

GYMNASTICSPhysical Activity Gets You High Grades!!

AND MUCH MORE

TWO WHEELSAND PASSION!

“Loving what you do and doing what you love.”

2 ||| Sport In AurorA MAgAzIne

THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (JK-12) is a co-ed, non-denominational, university-preparatory school. We offer a superior, balanced education that challenges the student, develops the mind, and strengthens the character. We educate in innovative ways through integrated, leading-edge technology and in sophisticated facilities for academics, athletics, visual and performing arts. Please contact us at any time to arrange a personal tour.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, October 11 9am - 12pm 7pm - 9pm Saturday, October 27 10am - 1pmApplications received by December 14, 2012 will be considered for first-round offers.

Education With Balance

13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario 905.833.1220 [email protected] www.cds.on.ca/whowillyoube

CDS Sport in Aurora Final.indd 1 12-07-20 11:49 AM

Sport In AurorA MAgAzIne ||| 3

THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (JK-12) is a co-ed, non-denominational, university-preparatory school. We offer a superior, balanced education that challenges the student, develops the mind, and strengthens the character. We educate in innovative ways through integrated, leading-edge technology and in sophisticated facilities for academics, athletics, visual and performing arts. Please contact us at any time to arrange a personal tour.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, October 11 9am - 12pm 7pm - 9pm Saturday, October 27 10am - 1pmApplications received by December 14, 2012 will be considered for first-round offers.

Education With Balance

13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario 905.833.1220 [email protected] www.cds.on.ca/whowillyoube

CDS Sport in Aurora Final.indd 1 12-07-20 11:49 AM

05 Editor’sNote

06 FromtheDirectorofParks

andRecreation

08 SoALLKidsCanPlay

inAurora!

08 York‘97’sHockeyTeam

WinsChowderCup

10 TheAuroraSkatingClub–

“What’sitallabout?”

11 FormerNHLPlayer,

JimThomson

ChangingLives

12 SportAuroraHasAnother

WomeninCoachingFirst!

13 AuroraSportHallof

FameApproachesthe

StartingLine

13 AuroraSpecialEaglesGolf

14 MasterDucksExpanding

15 Ducksare“Camping”

atStronachAurora

RecreationComplex!

15 SummerMortimerWins

2Goldand1Silveras

ShePreparesforthe

ParalympicGames

16 SpecialDucksFall

SeasonLaunch

17 SwimmingInjuries

18 AuroraBarbsYouth

RugbyPractices

19 PhysicalActivityGets

YouHighGrades!!

20 SportisaFamilyBond!

21 PaulBedardReturnsto

St.Andrew’sCollegeas

DirectorofAthletics

22 Cycling–TwoWheels

andPassion

18

11

15

19

contents

22Bike Sports Photos by Normand Gagnon


July/August 2012 VoLuMe 2, ISSue 3

PublisherInsport Media & publications Inc.

editorron Weese – Sport Aurora e-mail [email protected]

director of salesLaurie MuellerPhone 905.713.5027 e-mail [email protected]

art directorFranco Di tomasso

editorial contributionSport Aurora Members Melony teaguetown of Aurora Dr. Carey AverySimone garcia Sarah SmithJim thomson Don BellLorne Chase

contact usInsport Media & publications412 McCafferey road newmarket, ontario L3X 1t5Phone 905.713.5027 e-mail [email protected]

editorial contributions Submissions are wel-come from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. Contact ron Weese, editor. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributions are responsible for obtaining all approvals for publication of photos and content prior to submission. All submis-sions may not be used. We may edit, publish, reproduce, distribute and archive submissions in any form or me-dium 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 prohib-ited. Sport in Aurora Magazine is published six times a year. For detailed circulation information, contact Insport Media & publications Inc. Insport Media & publications Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our cus-tomer. 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 Insport Me-dia & publications Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However the edi-tors, contributors and Insport Media & publications Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this infor-mation. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

prInteD In CAnADA


As I write this, our Women’s soccer

team has just been defeated in

the semi-finals after outplaying

the Americans and having a disputed

call against them dominate the head-

lines. Simon Whitfield, our triathlon

favourite and Canadian flag-bearer

has fallen (crashed actually) short

of expectations. There have been

incredible triumphs such as King City’s

Rosie MacLennan’s gold medal and our

rowing team’s successes. Diving and

Synchro have hopes. The Women’s

Soccer Team has rebounded to win

a first-ever bronze in that sport at

the Olympics. Different stories of

determined athletes, coaches and

families. Different pathways and

different outcomes.

What is similar about all these world-

class efforts that capture our attention

is that each started on the play-ground.

Each athlete was a kid who took that

first step playing in their home towns

and found that they had “something”

that drove them to play harder, to train

harder and to commit much more to

sport than the average kid. All of these

successful Olympians were identified

for their skill and determination and

they were directed to good local

community sport programs and good

coaching. Most of them were fortunate

to have a family that supported them

emotionally, physically and financially.

My point is this. Now that Olympic

fever has reached its nadir and we are

now anticipating great things from our

Paralympic athletes, it is time to re-think

and re-value the work that is done each

day in Communities such as Aurora by

volunteers who are eager to help make

quality programs available to children.

Without them there is no “grass-roots”

of sport in this Country that allows us to

be proud of our athletes’ accomplish-

ments every four years. It is important

that we protect and value community

sport and celebrate what is being done.

I think the phrase “think globally, but act

locally” is apt.

I spoke with Paul Dutton of SNAP

Newspapers recently and we both

agreed that the real important stories

are the local ones. Of course the SNAP

Newspaper Group celebrates and

publishes local events, just like Sport in

Aurora. We both believe that the real

celebration of accomplishment starts at

home. I encourage everyone to be proud

of local sport and to support athletes

and coaches as they strive to meet

whatever goals they choose. Let’s start by

doing a simple thing that costs nothing

but a little time. The next time you see a

coach or a volunteer, thank them for their

time and remember how proud we are

of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Our next Olympic/Paralympic success

truly starts right here at home.

Ron Weese

Editor, Sport in Aurora Magazine

The Mission of Sport Aurora is to

promote participation in sport and

recreation for all citizens of the

community we serve.

For more information on Sport Aurora,

visit our web site at:

www.sportaurora.ca

editor’s note

LIke MoSt CAnADIAnS, I AM CAugHt up In Olympic fever


exciting improvements at the club aurora fitness centre

Members of the Parks and

Recreation Services department

staff at The Town of Aurora

are really excited about improvements

taking place this summer at the Club

Aurora Fitness Centre. Earlier this year,

Aurora Town Council approved the

2012 Business Plan for Club Aurora that

included a fi ve-year plan for equipment

repair and replacement.

Club Aurora members will see a

number of changes this September.

Foremost among these will be a sharp

new look for the facility and more than

$30,000 in new and improved equipment

and facilities. For those new to Club

Aurora, we welcome you to our

“remodeled” facility and hope you

make it your preferred choice for all

of your family fi tness needs.

In the last edition of Sport in Aurora,

I mentioned that Town Council was

considering a new multi-purpose

artifi cial turf fi eld for Stewart Burnett

Park. I am pleased to report that at the

June 26 Council meeting, $1.75 million

was approved for construction of the

fi eld, which is expected to be built by

next year.

Summer brings hot and humid

weather to our community and this year

has been no exception! To stay cool and

refreshed, pay a visit to our splash pads

in Town Park and Ada Johnson Park.

The Town also has a number of great

outdoor events where you can unwind

after a day of activity. Concerts in the

Park run throughout July and August

and Movies in the Park will be back

again from August 28 to 30. Remember

to mark Ribfest on your calendars as

well, as this popular annual event is

back from September 7 to 9.

Until the next edition of Sport in

Aurora, have a wonderful summer!

Al Downey

Director, Parks and Recreation Services

Town of AuroraUpcoming Special EventsConcerts in the Park July and AugustThroughout the summer, The Town of Aurora hosts a series of free evening concerts at the outdoor bandshell in Town Park. For your comfort, we recommend that you bring lawn chairs or a blanket. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Movies in the Park Tuesday, August 28 to Thursday, August 30Take in a movie in the park! At the end of summer, The Town of Aurora takes movie watching to a new level by taking movies outdoors! Movies will be shown at Hickson Park, Norm Weller Park and Town Park. Please visit www.aurora.ca for our exciting movie lineup.

Ribfest Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 9The tastiest event of the year happens at Machell Park in September when The Town of Aurora hosts Ribfest. Enjoy mouth-watering ribs prepared by professional award-winning rib teams. This event also features a beer garden, live entertainment and children’s activities.

Colours of Fall Concert Thursday, October 4As the leaves turn colour in the fall, enjoy one last concert in beautiful Town Park. This event features fiddling, pumpkin carving, live entertainment and an old-fashioned community corn roast.

To learn more about these and other Town of Aurora events, please call the Special Events hotline at 905-726-4762 or visit www.aurora.ca/specialevents

Did you know The Town of Aurora has a full-service fitness centre? It’s called Club Aurora® and it offers affordable family fitness for all ages.

Located in the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, Club Aurora has flexible memberships to suit all of your fitness needs.

Here are just a few of the services offered:

• Aquatics personal training• Non-member personal training• 25-metre pool – aquafit and osteoarthritis aquafit• Four international squash courts• Indoor running track• Cyclefit studio• A variety of fitness classes for all abilities• Annual fitness appraisals, personalized fitness programs

and equipment and weight room demonstrations• Child minding services

Club Aurora also offers convenient hours – we’re open Monday to Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take advantage of our free offer and try Club Aurora. We’re confident you’ll like it so much you’ll be back. Your body will thank you for it!

135 Industrial Parkway NorthAurora, OntarioPhone: 905-726-4764Email: [email protected] us online at www.aurora.ca/fitness

AFFORDABLE RATES QUALITY SERVICECall or visit us today!

Experience Club Aurora

NEW!NEW!

ONE FREE GYM VISITWith this coupon, enjoy one (1) free gym visit to Club Aurora*. Must be 14 years of age or older. Limit one coupon per person. Location: 135 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, Ontario Expiry: December 31, 2013 *Bearer will be required to complete a health questionnaireTR

Y U

S!

Did you know The Town of Aurora has a full-service fitness centre? It’s called Club Aurora® and it offers affordable family fitness for all ages.

Located in the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, Club Aurora has flexible memberships to suit all of your fitness needs.

Here are just a few of the services offered:

• Aquatics personal training• Non-member personal training• 25-metre pool – aquafit and osteoarthritis aquafit• Four international squash courts• Indoor running track• Cyclefit studio• A variety of fitness classes for all abilities• Annual fitness appraisals, personalized fitness programs

and equipment and weight room demonstrations• Child minding services

Club Aurora also offers convenient hours – we’re open Monday to Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take advantage of our free offer and try Club Aurora. We’re confident you’ll like it so much you’ll be back. Your body will thank you for it!

135 Industrial Parkway NorthAurora, OntarioPhone: 905-726-4764Email: [email protected] us online at www.aurora.ca/fitness

AFFORDABLE RATES QUALITY SERVICECall or visit us today!

Did you know The Town ofTown ofT

Experience Club Aurora

NEW!NEW!

ONE FREE GYM VISITWith this coupon, enjoy one (1) free gym visit to Club Aurora*. Must be 14 years of age or older. Limit one coupon per person. Location: 135 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, Ontario Expiry: December 31, 2013 *Bearer will be required to complete a health questionnaireTR

Y U

S!


So ALL kIDS CAn pLAy In AurorA! ||| Photos By Stephen Kimmerer

york ‘97’S HoCkey teAM WInS CHoWDer Cup ||| By Don Bell

In only the first two months of the

All Kids Can Play in Aurora Program,

Sport Aurora received its largest

donation of $6,247.00 to help put kids

on the fields, in the pools and rinks.

Ross Jones, the owner of Aw Shucks

organized the business’ annual golf

tournament on July 10th and named

the All Kids Can Play Program as the

Charity of Choice so his customers

knew of the cause. While being thanked

by Ron Weese, President of Sport

Aurora, during the cheque ceremony he

deflected the thanks to his customers.

“Our customers really stepped up for

this charity”, he said. “This was the

best turn-out and the highest amount

raised yet,” he continued. “I suspect it

is because a lot of our customers are

parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents

of kids who play sports and they recognize

the value of sport in a child’s life.”

The All Kids Can Play Program in

Aurora is a project of Sport Aurora, an

Organization comprising twenty-one

local Sport Organizations and eight

Affiliate Business Members.

“Although Aurora is a relatively

prosperous Town”, explained Mr. Weese,

“our Membership told us that they were

receiving increased number of requests

for financial assistance from parents

who wanted their kids to play, but

couldn’t afford the fees. We decided

to help by creating an opportunity for

local businesses, Service Groups and

individuals to donate to a fund to help.”

Bruce Cuthbert, the Director of the

All Kids Can Play in Aurora Program

explained how the fund works.” One

hundred percent of all donations are

given back to worthy kids through an

application process we follow in our

Sport Aurora office. Any child 18 years

of age or under is eligible as long as the

activity promotes healthy physical

activity. When the application is

approved by our Program Manager,

following a sensitive but simple process,

the funds go directly to the sport

organization of choice to partially or

completely cover participant fees.”

In June of this year the All Kids Can

Play Program received a $5,000.00

donation from the Aurora Rotary

and the Central York Girls Hockey

Association donated $1,500.00. They

of course are looking for more donors

to help with future needs.

“These funds will be used to supplement

the already depleted Canadian Tire

JumpStart Program” Mr. Weese con-

tinued. “As a Community Partner of

JumpStart, we saw how this fund was

being used to help kids play, but by late

spring it was used up. We were only

able to help half of those asking for full

support of fees and now with the help

of donors we can include more kids”.

For more information on how you

can help or get involved in the

All Kids Can Play in Aurora Program,

please go to www.sportaurora.ca

or contact the Sport Aurora Office

at 905 726-4776 or by email at:

[email protected]

A group of 1997 boys from York

Region (eight from Aurora)

played in the aptly-named

Chowder Cup in Boston, Massachusetts

this spring. Coached by Mike Milne and

Marty Williamson, these young players

entered this competition with the

Pro Skills Hockey Organization, not

knowing how well they could compete

in one of North America’s top spring

hockey tournaments.

The team lost its first game 3-2 with

Adam Newell scoring both goals in the

loss, but they knew they were not going

to be out-classed in this tournament.

They went on to win the next two games

and advanced to the quarter-finals.

The quarter final game ended in

a 0-0 draw and after a scoreless

overtime, a shoot-out was necessary

to decide the outcome. Again the

Pro Skills Hockey team won with

a close 2-1 shootout margin and

advanced to the semi-finals.

The team went on to win the

semis and finals with 1-0 and 3-0

scores respectively and won the

1997 age-group of the Cup, the first

time ever for a York Region team.

The boys now go back to their

“home” teams for the fall playing for

both the York Simcoe Express and

Aurora Tigers.

sPort in aurora

Aurora Rotary Club Presents $5000.00 to All Kids Can Play in Aurora

SPort AurorA receiveS LArgeSt DonAtion to the ALL KiDS cAn PLAy in AurorA ProgrAm from Aw ShucKS SeAfooD BAr AnD BiStro

Aw Shucks Owner Ross Jones and

Sport Aurora President, Ron Weese

Our family, the Lincoln family...and you

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7,378

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AWD100A

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FWD100A-SPORT

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ECO200A

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AWD100A

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the AurorA SkAtIng Club, What’s it all about?

The Aurora Skating Club has been

teaching skaters in our community

for over 58 years!! We are a fully

sanctioned Skate Canada Club and

operate as a non-profit organization.

Our coaches are all fun, dedicated, and

NCCP Skate Canada certified.

Our skating programs focus on children

as young as 3 years old and up! Kidskate

offers morning and afternoon lessons,

our Canskate Learn to Skate lessons are

offered on weeknights and Saturdays.

Our advancing skaters take Starskate

sessions which are offered weeknights.

Many of our skaters start off at

the age of 3 wearing the required ice

helmets and work very hard to move

up through the Junior, Novice and

Advanced levels. We are proud of all

our skaters and are happy to highlight

our skaters who become Quad Gold

skaters! Achieving Gold Artistic, Gold

Freeskate, Gold Skills and Gold Dances

takes a lot of hard work and dedication!

Congratulations to Katie Sutton and

Tayler Sim who recently achieved their

Quad Gold status!

As a competitive team, many ASC

skaters compete in various local compe-

titions as well the International invitational

Spring Skate Festival in Buffalo, USA.

A long time favourite competition for

the Aurora Skating Club, from which we

often bring home the Cheney Cup!!

The Aurora Skating Club enjoys

producing an Ice Show every other

year, which showcases the talents of all

our skaters. The Ice Show never fails to

entertain our Aurora community, family

and friends! (March 2012, Push Play &

Dance photo above).

We host Spirit Days during which our

skaters invite friends to come skate and

see what it’s all about! At the end of the

season we host a banquet to celebrate

our skaters’ individual accomplishments!

We welcome all new skaters to come

have some fun and see what it’s all about!

KATIE SUTTON – QUAD GOLD SKATER

My love for skating

began when I first

stepped on the

ice when I was just

3 years old. The

journey from that

day forward has

been unforget-

table. Hours of

dedicated training

has allowed me to

complete the goals I set for myself. I have

had amazing coaches Blair Koski-Klein,

Andy Klein and Deborah Botticella that

have helped me every step of the way

and endless support from my parents.

Over the years my coaches have taught

me how to grow both as a skater and as

a person. The Aurora Skating Club is a

family to me. I hope to continue skating

as I head off to Dalhousie University next

year. I can’t Imagine my life without skat-

ing. The ice is my happy place!

TAylEr SIm – QUAD GOLD SKATER

Tayler Sim started

skating at three

years of age and

became a mem-

ber of the Aurora

Skating club at

age six. Recently,

Tayler successfully

completed her

Gold Interpretive,

adding that to her

already successful completion of Gold

Dance, Skills and Freeskate, making

her a Quad Gold Test-Level skater.

Tayler’s success came from hard work,

determination, the support of her family

and from her long time, dedicated

coaches Jo-Anne Scott, Renald Foisy

and more recently Lindsay Smith.

Congratulations Tayler, for accom-

plishing all of this before heading off

to study Recreation Management/

Business at Acadia University, in

Nova Scotia this fall.

We are pretty confident though,

that Tayler’s love of skating and being

a Certified Canskate Instructor, will get

her back on the ice in no time.

sKatiNG


forMer nhl plAYer, JiM thoMsoN ChAngIng lIVeS

Jim Thomson is no ordinary ex-NHLer. Sure, he has the stories to tell of his days playing along-side Wayne Gretzky and the

incredible experience of winning game seven against the Leafs in 1993. He has met superstars of all descriptions and has

lived the life of a pro hockey player to the fullest. He certainly has the knowledge of the game and puts it to good use each

winter, coaching would-be pro hockey players in the Aurora Minor Hockey Association. He calls it “giving back”, but it is as much

about the love of the game and helping kids grow.

That isn’t what makes Jim unique. Jim is also an ambassador with Your Life Counts (www.yourlifecounts.org) a Canadian-based

charity with international links helping youth and families to nurture, protect and sustain their will to live. Jim takes YLC

wherever he goes because the message of Your Life Counts goes hand in hand with Jim’s Dream Your Dreams program.

(www.jimthomsonsdreams.com)

“Jim Thomson saved our daughter’s

life through his caring, support and

the encouragement he offered her to

help her turn her life around,” states a

thankful mother. “We will never be able

to thank him enough. We got our little

girl back.”

When he is not volunteering his time

as a hockey coach in Aurora or helping

kids through his Dream Your Dreams

program, he is working as the Hockey

Director of Everest Academy where the

goal is to escalate any player’s hockey

skill while being involved in a seamlessly

blended high-level academic program

of study. www.everestacademies.com.

Look for Coach Thomson in the

2012 hockey season as he coaches the

Aurora Tiger Major Midget A Team to

another successful year!

For more information about

Jim Thomson, please contact him

through his web site at:

www.jimthomsonsdreams.com

hoCKEY


On April 23rd, Sport Aurora

hosted their first Women in

Coaching NCCP course for new

women coaches. The successful day

was lead by a very enthusiastic facilita-

tor, Barbra Cooper, and 15 women were

certified with their NCCP Fundamental

Movement Skills (FMS) workshop.

This FMS workshop is the very first

introductory course taken for any new

coach to start their coaching journey and

is a “grassroots course”. The workshop

explores the fundamentals of everything

we seem to take for granted everyday;

movement. The course is active and a

casual observer would not know that the

participants are hard at work conquering

the basic task of learning the basics of

throwing, jumping, and running.

“The nature of this workshop was so

interesting, there was still a lot to learn

about the fundamentals of movement

and how we apply it to our needs as a

coach” said Laurie Mueller, the Chair of

the Women in Coaching for Sport Aurora.

On June 23rd, Sport Aurora also

hosted the Coaching Association of

Ontario’s very first pilot program,

EMPOWER Plus. Held at one of SA’s

newest sport member organizations,

Evolution Gymnastics, Rod Scott, lead

15 coaches through this pilot workshop.

The feedback from this will be used by

the Coaching Association of Ontario

to further develop a unique course in

ethical decision-making and how to

EMPOWER Ontario coaches on and off

the pitch.

“I believe Sport Aurora is a leader in

Women in Coaching, and I am proud

to be apart of every women’s decision

to take that first step and coach in

this community” said Mr. Scott. “Sport

Aurora has been able to offer NCCP

workshops to these coaches, and it

enables them to grow as a coach and

that is very empowering”, he concluded.

Ms. Mueller plans to take the next

step and offer all Women coaches the

Introduction to Competition Part A, in

October, and hopes to have completed

Sport Aurora’s mandate for the Trillium

Foundation this year.

“The women in Aurora who have

stepped up to learn about coaching are

finding this a fun and rewarding experi-

ence”, she said. “The benefit to Aurora

is clear,” she continued. “More women

coaching means a greater capacity to

deliver sport programs in all sports and

we know that women have that special

ability to motivate and teach.”

For more information about Sport

Aurora, and the Women in Coaching

Program, please be sure to visit the web

site, www.sportaurora.ca and contact

Laurie Mueller, Chair of the Women in

Coaching Program.

Sport AurorA HAS AnotHer Women in CoACHing FirSt!

sPoRt auRoRa

“I believe Sport Aurora

is a leader in Women in

Coaching, and I am proud

to be a part of every

women’s decision to take

that first step and coach

in this community”

Rod Scott, Course Conductor


sPoRt auRoRa

AIDAN Is A member of the AurorA specIAl eAgles golf

Age 14, Grade 8 at

Rogers Public school.

Starting High school at Sir William Mulock

Secondary School in September, 2012.

HObbIES:Newmarket Nighthawks Hockey, Dunks

basketball, Ducks swimming, Special Eagles golf, Classic monster

movies, Mythological creatures and places. Aidan loves to learn about

Myths, Atlantis, Loch Ness Monster, Gods and Goddesses by search-

ing the Internet, books and TV.

NOTAblE FAvOUrITES:• Aidan loves to watch movies with his Mom, Dad and big brother

Liam. He enjoys super hero movies and comic books like Iron Man

and Captain America. He loves to spend time with his cousins when

they visit from England and Nova Scotia.

• This summer he will be a Junior Counselor at Making Small Talk

summer camp.

WHy dO yOU lIKE gOlF?“It’s easy. I like to aim for the hole and ride the cart.”

mArY Is A member of the AurorA specIAl eAgles golf

HObbIES:Mary is involved in a number of sports with

Special Olympics: swimming, softball, golf,

basketball, track and field, soccer. In the

past she also did figure skating and bowl-

ing. She sings in The Voices of Joy Choir

and is a long time volunteer as a Brownie

leader. Recently she started volunteering at Southlake Hospital. Mary

has worked at Sobeys for the past 13 years.

NOTAblE FAvOUrITES:In January Mary joined the ABLE Network. Mary is so grateful for all the

wonderful Special Olympic Ontario Aurora coaches and volunteers who

dedicate so much of themselves to help make life better for her and for

others like her.

WHy dO yOU lIKE gOlF?“I love golfing because it’s a great outdoor activity that allows me to

socialize while playing a sport.”

Golf tournament coordinators Cheryl Duckworth, Deb Finniear and Nicola McGovern would like to extend their thanks to all the supporters and participants of the Inaugural Fundraising Golf Tournament in support of Special Olympics-Aurora. Many thanks go to those who sponsored holes or played in the tournament, or both. There were 53 golfers, 15 hole sponsors and a hole in one spon-sor. The prize donations from our friends and businesses in the community, the purchase of raffle tickets, and a putting competition made the day a great success. Thank you to our volunteers who donated their time to help at the tournament. Finally, thank you to Mike Nisbet at Westview Golf Club, and his staff, for a fabulous day and a tournament which was extremely well run. $6,122 was raised to support Special Olympics Ontario – Aurora Community. This will help fund new sports, support and develop the existing sport clubs, and help send some of our athletes to different levels of competition. Planning for next year’s tournament is underway.

Email: [email protected]

To see what is going on with Special Olympics in the Aurora Community Please visit us at our Special Olympics Aurora website: aurora.specialolympicsontario.ca

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”

AurorA Sport hAll of fAMe ApproACheS the StArtIng lIne

On June 18th in Town Council

Chambers, Sport Aurora thanked

the 15 members of the Aurora

Sport Hall of Fame Organizing Committee

for their contribution to the development

of the Town’s Sport Hall of Fame and

announced the Board of Governors that

will “carry the ball over the finish line” and

re-apply for a Trillium Grant in order to

make the Sport Hall of Fame a reality.

As well, Co-Chair of the Organizing

Committee, Ron Weese also introduced

Scott McRoberts who was hired to help

Sport Aurora build a feasibility plan that

would include the Nomination/Selection/

Induction process as well as a self-

sustaining financial model to ensure the

Hall of would continue to be an important

fixture of sport history in the Town.

Kate Collins, Chair of the Induction

Committee, has already met with her

group and reported that her Committee,

that includes members from the Town,

Sport Aurora, St. Andrew’s College and

local media, has made significant strides.

“Our Committee has begun a review of

best practices of other successful Hall

of Fames elsewhere and will utilize this

information to create an Action Plan for

the next three years.” she said. “We are

moving forward with a timetable that

has our first Induction into the Aurora

Sport Hall of Fame in the Town’s sesqui-

centennial year in 2013, “she concluded.

Chair of the Education Committee,

Kristen Dajia also reported progress.

“Our plans will include looking at ways

to enrich children’s lives through infor-

mative, inspirational, and instrumental

topics. We plan to implement several

initiatives in which athletic accomplish-

ments of our Aurora sport heroes and

history are celebrated and studied while

connecting to the Ontario Curriculum,”

she said after her first meeting with the

Committee. She added, “When children

are exposed to the inspiring stories of

athletes, coaches and volunteers, they

begin to imagine what they can do and

how they too can make a difference and

contribute to their communities.

Chair Ron Weese also reported that

local solicitor Gerry Miller, whose family

is no stranger to sport history in this

Town, has been retained to incorpo-

rate the Aurora Sport Hall of Fame as

a not-for profit corporation and will be

assisting the Board of Governors with

the development of a Constitution that

will guarantee the Hall will be properly

governed and financially stable.

For more information on the Aurora

Sport Hall of Fame or to inquire how

to get involved, please contact the

Program Manager of Sport Aurora at

[email protected] or

by calling the Sport Aurora Office at

905-726-4776.


Adult swimmers and triathletes

in York Region will have more

choice about where to swim

this fall as the Aurora Master Ducks

expand swim programs into Bradford

and Stouffville. Where possible, all

three locations will offer something for

everybody:

- fitness

- pre-competitive

- competitive

- triathlon

- stroke improvement

Why is Masters swimming so popular for adults? Masters Swimming is a great

way for adults (starting as young as 18

years) to reduce the stress they have in

their life due to work and other deter-

mining factors. Other benefits include

increased muscle tone, strength and

flexibility. Swimming is a great aero-

bic exercise that gets results, and fast.

Swimming also offers something that

few other sports can: the ability to work

your body without harsh impact to your

skeletal system.

Why is the Master Ducks team so popular? After 15 years of offering qual-

ity coaching to hundreds of swimmers

in the region, the Master Ducks club has

figured out what adults need:

A little motivation, access to a good

facility, quality coaching and FUN.

Master Ducks clubs offer practices

throughout the day starting in the morn-

ing before work hours, during the day,

and in the evening. The Aurora Master

Ducks have a proven track record in

helping swimmers achieve their goals

(lofty or loose) AND they do so for new,

developing and seasoned swimmers.

Don’t be afraid. We have seen ALL

kinds (and some were likely ‘worse’ than

you and probably felt nervous in their

bathing suits too) and you won’t believe

where they are now: training, compet-

ing and LOVING their swimming.

ORIENTATION AND REGISTRATION

NIGHT – find out why so many adults

choose to swim with us!

To learn more about ADULT swim

programs offered by Aurora, Bradford

or Stouffville Master Ducks Swim and

Triathlon clubs, please join us:

Tuesday, September 11th at 7 pm at

Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex

Registration opens mid-August online.

To sign up early and/or for more

information, please go to website:

www.masterducks.ca

sWiMMiNG

MASter DuCkS eXpAnDIng||| by melony teague

ADULT SWIMMING | ALL LEVELSStroke Improvement Triathlon ~ Beginner/ProCompetitive SwimmingFitness Training

Weekends | Weekdays Swim times options: Morning | Noon | Night

905-726-DUCK (3825) | [email protected]

FUN FITNESS FRIENDSHIP

Master Duck Swimmers Taina Sodonis, Alicia Dibben, Elizabeth Moultray and Gillian McDowell

with Masters Coach Nick Rottman


Ducks swimming is on the go at

the Stronach Aurora Recreation

Complex. Swimmers are

working hard in the special summer

camps. Head Coach Sam Montgomery

with over 20 years of international

coaching experience led the camps

assisted by experienced coaches Jim

Talbot and Eric Lane. Swimmers where

exposed to new stroke techniques,

skill development, and had lots of

practice opportunities including stroke

technique, fitness, endurance and sprint

challenges. Training in the summer is

a lot of fun! And it’s a great way to get

a boost on the next season and a great

way to cool off over the hot summer

months. Spaces are still available for

Duck camps during the last two weeks

of August!

Ducks swimmer and Canadian

National Champion, Summer Mortimer

is off to London for the 2012 Paralympic

games with veteran coach, and Ducks

founder, Reg Chappell. The whole team

is cheering for her and it is a great

honor for us to have a swimmer on the

team. Ducks Swimming wishes all of the

Canadian Olympic and Paralympic team

members the best of luck at the games.

The 2012/2013 swimming season

will begin in September with the first

competitions for the Ducks taking place

in October. The team is growing and

future prospects look bright! Ducks

are shaping up nicely and expect to

dominate the chlorinated waters of

Ontario. Building on the momentum of

the very successful 2011/2012 season,

team Ducks are ready to splash!

sWiMMiNG

DuCkS Are “CAmping” At StronACH AurorA reCreAtion Complex!||| by sam montgomery

July 5-8, 2012 The Olympic Pool in Montreal hosted the

Canada Cup and World Challenge. The World Challenge

invited the top Para athletes from Argentina, Germany, Holland,

Hong Kong, Mexico, Spain and the USA, most of who will be

at the Paralympics.

Summer’s event in the World Challenge was the 100 Free where she won Gold.

Fifteen minutes later she stood up to swim the 50 Free in the Canada Cup portion of

the meet. With insufficient recovery time, she was too tired to improve her morning

time and placed 2nd to a German swimmer. Her morning swim of 28.53

was 36/100th of a second slower than her World Record done at the

Olympic Trials. Earlier in the meet she won the Gold in the 100 back

with 1:06.98; 51/100th of a second slower than her World Record.

Coach Reg Chappell is extremely pleased with her performances

as she is still under a reasonable heavy training load.

The Canadian Olympic Team was in attendance at the meet

as they completed their final preparation. They departed for the

Olympic Games immediately following the meet. Also, half of the

Canadian Paralympic Team were in attendance as they prepare for

their final home meet in Winnipeg July 20-22, 2012.

Ducks Swimming would like to congratulate and cheer on Summer

and Reg as they head for the Paralympic Games in London. Opening

Ceremonies are August 29, 2012. Summer will be racing in the 200

Individual Medley; 50 Free; 100 Back and 100 Free.

go teAm cANADA – olYmpIANs AND pArAlYmpIANs!!

Summer mortimer WinS 2 golD AnD 1 Silver AS SHe prepAreS For tHe pArAlympiC gAmeS


SPeCiAL OLYmPiCS

Aurora Special Ducks Cindy, a

Special Ducks athlete, partici-

pated in the Special Olympics

Ontario 2012 Spring Games and came

home with 1 gold and 2 silver medal.

Her team mate, Mary brought home

3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal.

Mr. Brown commented that both young

ladies swam very well. Sport Technical

Coordinator, Lloyd Brown who was the

coach at the event said, “It was a great

experience for me and the athletes!”

The 2012 Spring Games were held

from May 31, 2012 to June 13, 2012 in

Kingston, Ontario. The Games included

Power Lifting; Basketball; Swimming;

5-pin bowling; 10-pin bowling and

BOCCE. The event was hosted by

the Ontario Provincial Police and the

Kingston City Police. The Swim portion

of the games was held at the Kingston

Military Community Sports Centre. “I

now realize it is MUCH more than just

the competition,” said Lloyd Brown.

The athletes are part of a team, living

together, eating together and interacting

with one another. They endured early

mornings, being up at 5:30am and long

days, as well as team building experiences

such as laughing, crying and dancing

together. The Special Ducks athletes and

coaches look forward to participating in

the Summer Provincials 2013 which will

be held in York Region. Casey Jacob will

be stepping up as Special Ducks Head

coach this season; she will be replacing

Hillary Richardson who has been Head

Coach to swim team since the Special

Ducks began.

FALL REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

SWIM PRACTICES:

Friday evenings and Sunday mornings

• Competitive

Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex

Friday 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Sunday 9:30am – 10:30am

• Learn-to-Compete (one-on-ones)

Aurora Family Leisure Complex

Friday 7:00pm – 8:00pm

REGISTRATION:

Friday, October 12, 6:30pm

Aurora Family Leisure Complex

(7:00pm – 8:00pm – Learn-to-Compete

swim practice and parent meeting)

FEES:

• 1 swim / week – $50

• 2 swims / week – $75

For more information contact:

Team Manager, Sue Deacon at email:

[email protected] visit:

aurora.specialolympicsontario.ca/contact-us

SpeCIAL oLYMpICS ontArIo-AurorA SWIMMerS CoMpete At 2012 SprIng gAMeS||| By Melony Teague

Special Ducks coaches and volunteers. From Left to

Right: Lloyd Brown; Nicola McGovern; Nancy Shaw;

AJ Kirkpatrick; Jodi Solish and Diana Hristovski.

Cindy at Provincial Swimming

Championships Special Olympics

Opening Ceremonies 2012


Swimming is a sport that is near

and dear to my heart and also

happens to be one of the best

whole body workouts. Competitive or

recreational swimming also tend have a

low rate of injury occurrence compared

to most sports, but when they do occur

then tend to be pretty serious and often

require lengthy rehab. Below you will

find a few pointers taken from my annual

Aurora Ducks Swimming Injury Clinic.

The shoulder as I have mentioned in

previous articles has the greatest range

of motion of any joint in the body. For

swimming this means that the rotator cuff

muscles (especially the external rotators)

must be strong to withstand the repeti-

tive movements one does swimming

laps) which can be strengthened with

weights or rehab tubing/bands. Avoid

sleeping with your arms above your

head which increases strain on your

shoulder joint when you are resting.

Avoid overdoing it with hand-paddles

at the start of the season until you have

increased your strength and endurance.

Due to the whip-kick of breaststroke

swimmers also often get knee pain

which is usually on the inside of the

knee. Strength training is key for the

quadriceps (especially the medial/

inside) and hamstrings to avoid knee

strain and sprains. If you have not done

a lot of whip- kick lately start with a

moderate amount and slowly increase

the meters.

The third most common swimming

injury is lower back pain. Butterfly

and kicking with a flutter board can

often agitate a swimmers lower back

(especially older swimmers). A good

warm-up and core strengthening will

always go a long way to stopping this

before it starts. If you chronically have

low back pain despite doing everything

right the answer is obvious…lay off the

butterfly or flutter boards!

Best of luck with your season and if

you do experience any discomfort get it

checked out ASAP by a healthcare pro-

fessional. The longer you wait the longer

it will take for you to get better!!

Dr. Carey Avery runs St. Andrew’s

Chiropractic and Wellness in Aurora. He

is the team chiropractor/sports injury

consultant for the Aurora Ducks and

Master Ducks swim/triathlon teams.

He also treats several individual high-

performance athletes. Dr. Avery is a

competitive master’s swimmer and a

self-admitted “horrible-but-happy” golfer.

Web: www.standrewschiro.ca

Phone: 905-727-6500

e-mail: [email protected]

Swimming injurieS||| By Dr. Carey Avery, B.Kin., D.C.


Oh to be young again! Youth,

and the embodiment of it,

is viewed as a secret key to

happiness in our society today. It would

be safe to say that the desire to stay

young, be young, and look young is

all-encompassing, and has spanned

throughout generations. There are

songs written about, poems crafted in

its honour; the media is fixated with the

idea of it. The reality of youth today,

however, goes deeper than the hype

surrounding it. Young people in this day

and age are facing more challenges

than ever before, navigating a world

completely different than the ones their

parents inhabited years ago. Despite

this foreboding reality, there is one

consistent truth about what being a

young person entails. It was Aristotle

who said that good habits formed at

youth make all the difference. One of

the most important of these habits is

something quite simple; regular physical

exercise. Health Canada has released a

new study stating that children need at

least 60 minutes of exercise every day.

With summer in full swing, how can kids

get out and be active, while having fun,

and building healthy bodies and minds?

According to rugby coach John

Spicer, of the Aurora Barbarians Rugby

and Football League, one of the best

ways to get children out and about is

to enroll them in the Barb’s U10 or U8

co-ed flag rugby programs. A teacher

by day and rugby coach in his down

time, Spicer and three other coaches

impart fundamental knowledge of the

sport, build a love of the game, and

keep children active during the summer

months by getting them out learning

about and playing rugby.

Spicer’s favourite part of the job?

“I enjoy seeing these kids develop fun-

damental skills that they will use later on

in rugby and during any physical activ-

ity, he says. “It’s like a ‘light bulb effect’

– it’s amazing to watch them grow in

their love of the game,” he concluded.

The best part about seeing the kids

in action with the Barbs is something

that needs to be experienced in order

to be understood. There is more to

these practices, which begin in April

and take place once a week (Thursday

nights) during the summer months,

than rugby – it’s about camaraderie,

about building a love for a game which

Spicer hopes will become as popular

as hockey in Canada. It’s clear from the

excited shouts emanating from the field,

the cooperation of the kids with their

coaches and with each other, and from

their genuine, joyful energy both on and

off the field, that Spicer’s hopes are not

far-fetched.

When asked about his favourite part

of the game, Andrew Scott, a member

of the U10 flag rugby team says, “I’m

eager to be able to start tackling next

year”. A dream many a young rugby

boy shares.

By playing with the Aurora Barbs,

these young children are not only hav-

ing fun – they are building integral life

skills while being active. Isn’t that what

summer is all about?

AurorA BArBs Youth rugBY PrActices ||| By Simone Garcia

rugBY

SPORT IN AURORA MAGAZINE ||| 19

In the past decade, there have been

many studies of the Body-Brain

connection. These studies have shown

a strong correlation between physi-

cal activity and brain function. Exercise

improves internal brain function, increases

the production of neurotransmitters, and

promotes neurogenesis (brain cell growth).

Dr. John Ratey, of Harvard Medical

School, has found that exercise pro-

motes learning in several ways. First

of all, exercise benefi ts several brain

systems, including attention, impulse

control, memory and learning. By

activating the front cortex of the

brain, people that exercise are

sharper, more attentive, less

impulsive and less fi dgety.

They are able to focus more

clearly and for longer peri-

ods of time, and are better able

to sort through and absorb information.

Exercise causes a release of

neurotransmitters, hormones, and

growth factors, all of which improve

brain function and growth . In our ner-

vous systems, neurotransmitters are the

key to transforming a thought into physi-

cal action. The more neurotransmitters

we have the faster the information and

thoughts can travel.

The single best way to promote

neurogenesis, the process of growing

new brain cells, is to exercise. As

neurobiologist Carl Cotman says:

“You’re literally building the structure

of the brain, just by moving your feet.”

By increasing the number of brain cells,

you improve the ability to learn.

According to brain researcher Lana

Whitehead, movement is

the key to early learning. The more

mobile a child is, the more he/she

expands his/her knowledge through

the tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive,

visual and auditory senses. These basic

building blocks prime a child’s nervous

system for higher learning.

Activities that promote spatial

awareness have been shown to improve

memory, cognitive processing, social

interaction, speech and language,

judgement, critical thinking, orga-

nization, attention, focus, and self

control. Some studies report that

good spatial awareness is linked to

artistic ability and success in math.

Others found that defi ciencies in

spatial awareness can impede a child

from achieving academic success.

Experts say that motor planning,

achieved through learning and practic-

ing movement patterns is the bridge

between a child’s motor development

and the intellectual aspects of

brain function.

So, those sports instructors and

coaches are not just teaching your

child physical skills, they are devel-

oping his or her nervous system

and facilitating better learning. Now

that’s a real “head start” in life!!

GYMNASTICS

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GETS YOU HIGH GRADES!!||| By Sarah Smith, Evolution Gymnastics Aurora

Amanda on the uneven bars


BASeBALL

sPort is A FAmilY Bond!||| By Ron Weese

Nick Skillins is about to embark on a familiar journey. Not actually familiar to him,

because he is about to begin an athletic baseball scholarship at Northwestern

Oklahoma State University, and at 19 years of age, that is a unique thing for any-

one to do. What is familiar is that he is following in some “footsteps” of his father (Eric…

known to his friends as Ric) and two uncles (Gunar and Peter) who have also made the

athletic Scholarship journey; all three playing hockey at Cornell in the early 70’s.

Nick however chose baseball in which

to excel. He started as a youngster in Long

Island, New York and when his family moved

back to Aurora he learned his early baseball

with his Dad as Assistant coach through

the Aurora Jays Organization. He ultimately

played with the Ontario Blue Jays, considered

one of the best elite baseball Clubs in Ontario.

He was then scouted and offered an impres-

sive opportunity to play scholarship ball in

the States. He is described by his coach as

a “strong, defensive outfielder who makes

‘highlight-reel’ catches.” We’ll be following

him as he begins this career down south.

But…back to the point of the article. If you have been a long-time resident of Aurora,

you probably know the Skillins’ family sport pedigree. I was fortunate enough to spend

an hour with Ric Skillins at a local coffee shop and learned about this remarkable family.

I learned about Nick “senior” (Nick’s grandfather) who owned the Aurora Tigers with

a few other partners back in the 70’s. I also learned about young Nick’s grandmother,

Sammy, who was a regular feature in

the box-office at the Aurora Community

Centre rink for 35 years and how she

was honoured for that service at centre-

ice a few years ago for her long-stand-

ing contribution to the Community. The

stories of minor hockey “back in the

day” and the scholarship journey of the

father and uncles were interesting and

thought-provoking.

What was obvious was how sport

is such a powerful family bond. How it

shapes loyalties, friendships and even

careers. Sport is often the force that

brings people together and becomes

the glue that binds them.

VOLLEYBALL

Storm League ages 3-17

Ages 3-14; Skill Development & Game Play, Levels 1 & 2.

Ages 11-17; “Select” Teams. Rep-like practices including Games and Tournament play.

Visit our website for more Info about these programs. Storm League is “Powered by”

www.stormvolleyball.ca email: [email protected]

Competitive (Rep) ages 11-18

Tryouts start the week of Sept. 9th.

Visit our website for more Information.

Providing Opportunities for Indoor & Beach www.stormvolleyball.ca

Ontario Champions

Register Online by credit card at

Strength Teamwork Opportunity Results Memories

Storm Volleyball is recognized as one of the most respected and successful volleyball clubs in Ontario.


SAC VARSITY

After nine years away,

Paul Bedard returns

to St. Andrew’s

College in September as

Director of Athletics. He will

also be teaching French and

is looking forward to walking

the halls of SAC once again.

“I’m looking forward to

becoming reacquainted with

many friends on staff and

getting to know the people

I’ve only just met,” says Paul.

Paul graduated from SAC

in 1979 and then went on

to post-secondary educa-

tion at Bishop’s University in

Quebec. He taught at Ridley

College in St. Catharines

where he also coached hock-

ey, tennis and soccer. From

1996-2000 he was Director

of Athletics at St. Andrew’s,

and Housemaster of Sifton

House from 1997-2003.

When asked why he

decided to come back to

St. Andrew’s, Paul men-

tions being impressed

by Headmaster Kevin

McHenry and the leadership

team.“The School is in excel-

lent hands and that certainly

influenced my decision to

return. It doesn’t hurt having

Mike Sifton, a friend and

classmate, as Chairman of

the Board,” he adds.

“The St. Andrew’s com-

munity is extremely happy to

welcome Paul back home,”

says Headmaster McHenry,

who describes Paul as a

“multi-talented individual

who is an outstanding

teacher, coach and person.”

For the past nine years,

Paul has been Athletic

Director at Villanova

College in King City, an

independent co-ed day

school. His experience will

allow him to lead the ath-

letic program at SAC, where

last season St. Andrew’s

sports teams achieved 16

Division 1 championships,

16 second-place finishes,

and 7 third-place finishes.

Although Paul knows his

way around campus, there

have been some changes in

his absence. Most notable is

the spectacular new athletic

facilities that opened this

spring. The Yuill Family

Athletic Complex is among

the best high school sports

facilities in the country,

boasting a synthetic turf

field for football, soccer

and lacrosse; track and field

facilities; and a baseball dia-

mond and batting cages.

St. Andrew’s College

is considered amongst

Canadian independent

schools as having the top

athletic program in the

country,” states Michael

Roy, Director of Admission,

Marketing and Business

Development. At SAC,

every student participates

in sports and this year there

will be 62 representative

teams across 22 sports.

So what did Paul miss

most about SAC? “I missed

the teachers and staff who

are so obviously proud of

the School, and being

neighbours with and

working alongside great

educators like the Perriers,

Foys, and Shrimptons” he

said immediately.

“In life, it’s in your

relationships that you

will define success,”

reflects Paul. “Sport is

a wonderful vehicle to

develop the characteristics

that are going to make

you successful.”

Paul’s connection to

SAC is a family tradition.

His father, Bob Bedard, was

Headmaster of St. Andrew’s

College from 1981 to 1997,

and his three brothers are

SAC alumni: Mark, class of

1977; Peter, class of 1983; and

Michael, class of 1981.

Paul Bedard returns to st. andrew’s College as direCtor of athletiCs||| By Lorne Chase ||| Photo By Cindy Veitch

“In life, it’s in your relationships that you will define success,” reflects Paul.

“Sport is a wonderful vehicle to develop the characteristics that are going to

make you successful.”


CYCLING

For Tom Zielinski, owner of Bike Sports in Newmarket

and Aurora, cycling is not about the wheels, it is about

the passion.

Of course he makes his living selling, repairing and tuning

bicycles of all types as well as all the high and low-tech

accessories the modern cyclist needs to enjoy the sport,

but the history he has with the sport and the passion he

lives for the cycle is what defi nes him.

If you take the time to learn about this remarkable man you

will hear about him starting to cycle almost before he could

walk in his birth-country, Poland. You would learn about his

development as a world-class cyclist in Poland and his defec-

tion prior to his participation in the ’84 Olympics. You’d hear

about the fear and anxiety of the journey to a new country

with his wife and cycling partner, Penny with only a few dollars

in his pocket. You’d feel the pride about how he began a new

life in Canada and how his janitorial job at a local high-school

ultimately led him back to the sport by fi xing kids bikes, teach-

ing them the fi ner points of cycling and then doing the same

with their teachers.

Now his life is about “loving what you do and doing what

you love”.

What does he love? He loves cycling. What does he do?

He brings cycling to everyone he can.

The Greenbelt Ride is just one way he helps people enjoy

the sport. It started as a customer appreciation day and has

grown into a weekly ride that attracts as many as 32 people

out of the Aurora and Newmarket locations. Sometimes the

Rides are merged. Covering 60-75 Km in a two-hour ride,

the day is primarily a social event where they ride to a local

Community, have a coffee and ride back.

“The intent is not to make competitors out of people but

rather to teach people how to enjoy cycling, teach them some

technique and ensure they ride safely,” he said. “The objective

is to pass on the love of the sport” he explained.

The fact that his original store in Newmarket has been

duplicated in Aurora, his Greenbelt Ride has grown and he

now has a loyal customer base is evidence that his passion

is indeed spreading.

Anyone who wants to join the Greenbelt Ride is asked to

contact either the Aurora (905)-727-6330 or Newmarket

(905) 953-1609 Bike Sport Stores, or for more information

visit www.bikesports.ca.

TWO WHEELSand Passion! ||| By Ron Weese ||| Photo by Normand Gagnon


YOUR SON IS READY. ARE YOU?

SAC is an all-boys school offering boarding and day, grades 5–12. To learn more, contact our Admission Office at 905.727.3178.

www.sac.on.ca

At St. Andrew’s College your son will find endless inspiration. He will benefit from small class sizes, participate in competitive sports and discover art, drama and music. He will share in that experience alongside 600 like-minded students from across Canada and around the globe. At SAC your son will be celebrated for being the boy that he is. Now are you ready?

Introducing Grade 5 – September 2012. Offer him an education that you’ll both love.

Publication Sport in Aurora Insertion Date Size 7.375” w x 9.625” hInk CMYKMisc. If possible, place ad in upper, outside, right-hand page

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sport in aurora vol. 2 issue 3

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