sport in aurora – vol. 5 issue 2

Volume 5 \\\ Issue 2

AurorA SpeciAl DuckS Swim SeASon A SucceSS! PG.10

An ExEmplAry SEASon for CDS rugby PG.07

piCkEring CollEgE HonourS grADuAting StuDEntS PG.14

PLUS

RUGBY player Safety a priority at Aurora barbarians rfC

BATON Spectrum baton Athletes Qualify for Canadian team

SWIMMING Ducks Celebrate the Winter Short-Course Season

AND MUCH MORE

Storm VollEybAll riSES TO THE TOP PG.12

Vaulters Again SOAR

The Country Day School offers JK-12 in a co-ed, non-denominational environment located on 100 beautiful acres in King.

13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5T: 905 833 1220 www.cds.on.ca

DISCOVER

Call us to book your

personal tour today!

905 833 1220

It could be a pair of track shoes, a theatrical costume, or maybe even a robotics set. If your child has a passion for something, we will harness it and take it to a whole new level. If they have yet to fi nd it, we will dig down deep and explore all the possibilities, and not stop until we unearth that one thing that opens their mind and their eyes as big as humanly possible. It’s an incredible place to discover big, dreamy answers to the question,

WHO WILL YOU BE?cds.on.ca/whowillyoube

THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

CDS_Sport_in_Aurora_Ad_2015-05-29_FINAL_V2.indd 1 5/26/15 3:43 PM

v5i2 / SPORT IN AURORA / 3

CONTENTS

05 Editor’s Letter

06 From the Director of

Parks and Recreation

07 An Exemplary Season

for CDS Rugby

08 Aurora Sport Hall of Fame

– Sporting Moments

08 Dr. G.W. Williams SS –

“Stronger Together”

09 Ducks Swimming Proudly

Celebrates The Winter

Short-Course Season

09 Aurora Lawn Bowling Club

– “Give It A Try”

10 Spectrum Baton Athletes

Qualify for Canadian Team

10 Aurora Special Ducks Swim

Season a Success!

11 Player Safety a Priority at

Aurora Barbarians Rugby

Football Club

11 Seneca College – Stickle

Comes Home to Lead Sting

12 Storm Volleyball Rises

to the Top

14 The Joy of Effort –

Pickering College Honours

Graduating Students for

Excellence in Athletics

ST. ANDREW’S COllEgEVaulters Soar Again Photo courtesy of Paul Mosey – The Lazy Poet

11

Volume 5 \\\ Issue 2

AURORA SPECIAL DUCKS SWIM SEASON A SUCCESS! PG.10

AN EXEMPLARY SEASON FOR CDS RUGBY PG.07

PICKERING COLLEGE HONOURS GRADUATING STUDENTS PG.14

PLUS

RUGBYPlayer Safety a Priority

at Aurora Barbarians RFC

BATONSpectrum Baton Athletes

Qualify for Canadian Team

SWIMMINGDucks Celebrate The Winter

Short-Course Season

AND MUCH MORE

STORM VOLLEYBALL RISES

TO THE TOP PG.12

PLUS

Vaulters

Again SOAR 12

1009

10

13 COvER STORy

4 \ SPORT IN AURORA \ v5i2

May/June 2015 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

PublisherInsport Media & Publications Inc.

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

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

art directorFrank Di Tomasso e-mail [email protected]

editorial contributionSport Aurora Members Lauren MacDermidTown of Aurora Nancy BlackAllan Downey Sandy TownsendRaymond Noble Ryan PhippsTania Edwards Michelle BorovickaCindy Veitch

contact usInsport Media & Publications412 McCafferey Road Newmarket, Ontario L3X 1T5Phone 905.713.5027 e-mail [email protected]

editorial contributions Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and in-dividuals. Contact Ron Weese, editor. 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, dis-tribute 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 arti-cle, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited. Sport in Aurora Magazine is published six times a year. For detailed circulation information, contact Insport Me-dia & Publications Inc. Insport Media & Publications Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for Insport Media & Publications Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However the editors, con-tributors and Insport Media & Publications Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

PRINTED IN CANADA

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION AND FALL TRYOUTS ON NOW!Please call for an assessment, limited spots available.


We welcome the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame (ASHoF) to this issue. ASHoF has committed

to provide interesting sport heritage information throughout the year to us and we are glad to have them “on-board”. In the first two years of their operation, this Organization has left an indelible mark on our Community by working to Induct worthy Hounoured Members to the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame and was named the Community Organization of the Year by Town Council. The ASHoF dis-play is currently located in the Town Hall on the third floor and is open to the public during regular business hours. Working now closely with the Aurora Museum and Archives, the two organizations intend to uncover, preserve and share the rich sport heritage of our Town, so please be on the look-out for more from them in coming issues. Our next issue will feature some of the 2015 Inductees to the Hall that were announced on June 23rd in Town Council Chambers. For more information on the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame go to www.aurorashof.ca.

The Aurora Barbs continue to be leaders in sport on and off the field as is evidenced by their work on player safety. And the article on page 11 about their physiotherapist Laura Libby demonstrates their commitment to the safety of the

sport. On the same page, Seneca wel-comes their new coach, Ryan Stickle who is not only a past athlete with Seneca, but is also an alumnus of the Aurora Barbs.

When I heard of Storm Volleyball’s outstanding results at Nationals, I had to ask Bruce Stafford (himself an Honoured Member of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame) to provide a summary of the Storm Volleyball year. By anyone’s standard, this is a demonstration of excellence. Page 12 has the remarkable year-end summary of the Storm Team results and it is impressive.

But Storm Volleyball isn’t the only success story. Spectrum Baton captured National attention with their members qualifying for the Canadian Team (page 10) and of course you can read on page 9 about the accomplishments of the Aurora Ducks over the short-course season.

We congratulate all Sport Aurora mem-bers who have shown their commitment to excellence and have brought recogni-tion to Aurora through their efforts.

Sport Aurora has been working on the celebration of sport excellence through the Breakfast of Champions that will be held in September. This year it will be called the “Mayor’s Breakfast of Champions” because the Mayor has agreed to help this event out in a number of ways. We thank the Mayor for support-ing not only excellence in sport, but also

through proclaiming 2015 the “Year of Sport” and encouraging the development of the Aurora Sport Plan. Sport Aurora is working closely with the Town to help make this “Year of Sport” a starting point for healthy physical activity through sport for years to come.

It is now summer so I look forward to seeing you at the pitches, ball diamonds and courts. Get out and watch sport in Aurora in action! Better yet…why not ask how you can get involved with any one of our Sport Organizations who run adult programs? It is how we can help build Aurora into “Canada’s Most Active Community”. For more on this, visit our www.beactiveaurora.ca web site.

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

NEW CONTRIbUTORS, NEW ChAmPIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS!

EDITOR’S LETTER

www.aurora.ca

Excitement is building for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, which will be hosted in Toronto and surrounding communities from July 7 to 26.

We are thrilled that The Town of Aurora will be one of the communities hosting the Pan Am torch relay, so remember to come out on Thursday, June 25 to take part in this great celebratory event!

The Town will have a number of activities taking place, beginning with opening ceremonies and the torch launch at 11:30 a.m. in Lambert Willson Park. The Aurora Cultural Centre will feature A Legacy of Sport, an exhibit honouring Aurora athletes, at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. and the Aurora Family Leisure Complex will have crafts, face painting and a free public swim from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

I invite everyone to participate in these great activities and to explore our renovated Leisure Complex, which has a new web page, www.aurora.ca/AFLCimprovements, detailing the numerous improvements underway at the facility.

I invite everyone to catch the Pan Am spirit by entering for a chance to win a Pan Am Prize Pack. Simply email [email protected] with the correct answer to the following question about the Pan Am mascot: Why does Pachi the porcupine have exactly 41 quills?

As a final note, our ever popular Canada Day celebrations are right around the corner, featuring Aurora Teen Idol, a classic car show, parade and fireworks. There will be something for everyone in the family! Find out more at www.aurora.ca/canadaday.

See you at the festivities!

Town of Aurora 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON L4G 6J1 • 905-727-1375

Upcoming Special Events

TOWN OF AURORA

PLEASE NOTE, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL, AMEND OR CHANGE LOCATIONS AND ACTIVITIES.

Allan DowneyDirector, Parks & Recreation Services Town of Aurora

Pan Am Torch Relay Thursday, June 25Lambert Willson ParkThe torch relay will pass through Aurora, followed by a celebration at Lambert Willson Park.

Celebrate Canada Tuesday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 1Various locations in AuroraThe fun begins on June 30 at Town Park with the popular “Dance in the Park” event. The celebration continues on July 1 with a Canada Day Parade travelling south on Yonge Street, followed by festivities at Lambert Willson Park. The day ends with a spectacular fireworks display!

Concerts in the Park Every Wednesday in July and AugustAurora Town ParkBeginning Wednesday, July 8, The Town of Aurora hosts a series of free evening concerts at the outdoor bandshell in Aurora Town Park. For your comfort, we recommend that you bring lawn chairs or a blanket. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Theatre in the Park Friday, July 10, Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12Aurora Town ParkEnjoy Shakespeare in the park! The Humber River Shakespeare Theatre Company will be presenting“The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

To learn more about these and other Town of Aurora events, please call 905-726-4762 or visit www.aurora.ca

Audience at Concerts in the Park

Summer 2014

2015 Sport In Aurora May.indd 1 28/05/2015 5:21:26 PM


RUGBY – The Country Day School

/// by Sandy Townsend, Sr. boys’ Rugby Coach and Dave Downer Sr. girls’ Rugby Coach /// Photos Courtesy of Zach lawton

An ExEmplARy SEASOn fOR CDS Rugby

The Country Day School’s Senior Boys’ D2 Rugby team crowned an undefeated season (9 – 0) with a championship win over Greenwood College School

on May 20. It was the first Senior Boys’ CISAA championship in eight years and the first in the Sevens competition.

They opened the finals day with a difficult 26 – 10 victory over Greenwood with Alex Railton (of Aurora) leading the team with two tries and three converts for 16 points. The other tries were scored by Hudson Wildberger and Lucas Yang.

Next up was host Holy Trinity School, and after a slower than normal start the team ran out winners 17 – 7. Wildberger and Yang scored their second tries of the day and Anthony Rea crossed over for his first. Railton added one convert.

That meant a re-match against Greenwood who defeated HTS 10 – 5 to earn their berth in the final. The championship game was a very physical affair with hard hits and solid tackles from both teams. Wildberger opened the scoring for CDS and the Railton convert put them up by 7. Greenwood charged back and scored to bring the score to 7 – 5. The teams exchanged tries before halftime with Rea crossing for CDS, and Railton was, once again, perfect with the convert. At the whistle it was 14 – 10 CDS.

The next four minutes were tense as both teams struggled to find some offence. Yang’s third try of the day with less than three minutes remaining put some space between the teams, and Railton’s convert forced Greenwood to scramble as they

needed two tries to win. The CDS defense held firm and after Bryan Leary (of Aurora) recovered the ball in a tackle and raced away to score the final try of the game, the celebrations began with a final 28 –10 victory.

Meanwhile two days later, the CDS Senior Girls’ D1 Rugby team captured the CISAA championship for the 11th consecutive year, defeating Trinity College School 14 – 0 on home turf, in what one teacher described as the most physical CDS game he ever witnessed.

TCS came out all guns blazing, driving the ball several times to the try line. A stalwart CDS defence managed to hold them out. CDS threatened numerous times themselves, but could not quite get to the line. The first half was a nail-biter that ended in a scoreless tie.

In the second half, CDS could not capitalize on some chances, but the TCS team began to wear down from the Cyclone’s relentless attacks.

CDS finally broke through with a try by Kassie Clark at the 45 minute mark; Olivia Hallis kicked a convert to make it 7 – 0. CDS poured it on, driving to the line several times before team captain, McKinley Hunt, punched in the second try; Esther Bushuev kicked the convert at full time to finish the game.

The Senior Girls’ Rugby team thrives year after year through the enthusiasm, leadership and mentoring demonstrated by the senior players for the athletes new to the game. The advent of the Middle School rugby team this year can only help to keep this trend going.

The Country Day School’s Senior Girls’ Rugby team captured their 11th consecutive CISAA Gold Medal in a very physical game against Trinity College School. Final score was 14-0.

The Country Day School’s Senior Boys’ Rugby team captured their first CISAA championship in eight years with a 28-10 victory over Greenwood College School.

CDS – The Country Day School


Aurora Sports Hall of Fame

SpORtingmOmEntS\\\ by Nancy black, Project manager, AShoF

\\\ Photos Courtesy of Shawna White, Aurora museum and Archives

Aurora has a long and continuous connection to sport in both historic and contemporary times. Sporting events, competitions, and tournaments appear in the archival record almost from the very beginning of the Town’s history.

Whenever there was a gathering of people there was sure to be a football match, foot races, or a baseball tournament. By the late nineteenth century local firms and businesses begin establishing their own teams – such as the Sisman Shoes Baseball Team. The advent of the 20th century saw the establishment of numerous sports organizations and clubs within Aurora, which continue to grow to this day.

It is this rich history and legacy that the Aurora Museum & Archives and the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame wish to document and preserve. Working together, the two entities will be researching the Town’s sports heritage, engaging the public for input, collecting artefacts and ultimately, proudly displaying those items and information to the residents and visitors to Aurora.

The Aurora Museum & Archives was newly established in 2015 with the transfer of the Aurora Collection from the Aurora Historical Society to The Town of Aurora. The first exhibition, A Legacy of Sport, opened in the Aurora Room at the Cultural Centre on June 25th and runs throughout the year.

The Aurora Sports Hall of Fame’s Mission is to honour, celebrate, preserve and share the outstanding contributions of those who have brought recognition to Aurora through sport. The ‘Hall’ does this by selecting and inducting worthy candidates, collecting and displaying sport artefacts that represent the Honoured Members’ participation in sport.

Aurora Museum and Archives: 2nd Floor, Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church Street, Aurora, www.aurora.ca Aurora Sport Hall of Fame: 3rd Floor of the Town Hall, 100 John West Way, Aurora, www.aurorashof.ca

Proud Supporters of the 2015 Year of Sport in Aurora

StROngER tOgEtHER\\\ by michelle borovicka,

Special Education Teacher, boys Rugby Assistant Coach

Stronger Together is the motto that the Dr. G. W. Williams Rugby teams have come to understand and live

by. It has been an inspiration to work with these young athletes, who have demon-strated leadership and compassion for each other during practice and games. With only 3 players on the Junior Boys’ team who have previous experience playing rugby, the team had an undefeated regular season with only 7 points scored against them. Ranked first in the central division, the team is looking to take the YRAA Tier 2 Title for the second straight year.

The Senior Boys’ overcame their winning drought, to defeat two of the three teams they faced, with heart and drive on-route to finishing the regular season ranked second in the North division. The Senior Boys’ team is also looking to compete in the Semi-Finals and Finals on June 2 and 4, respectively. It has been a privilege to work with the rugby teams at Dr. G. W. Williams and I wish them all the best in their future seasons! Let’s finish this season strong and continue living our lives’ “Stronger Together”!

Junior Boys photo courtesy of Jennifer Smith

Senior Boys photo courtesy of Kylie Kostecki


SWIMMING – Ducks Swimming

LAWN BOWLING – Aurora Lawn Bowling Club

DuCkS Swimming pROuDly CElEbRAtES tHE wintER SHORt-COuRSE SEASOn/// by Tania Edwards, Ducks Swimming /// Photo Courtesy of Ducks Swimming

The lawn bowling game we play today started in England and is played in most Commonwealth

countries as well as the United States. Lawn Bowling is one of the traditional games of the Commonwealth Games.

While lawn bowling is a game that looks easy, it is not simple. Similar to curling; It’s an easy game to play but a hard game to master (but you don’t have to sweep!).

Lawn bowling is not a physical contact sport and while your “adrenaline” will not be elevated, you feel great with a good

delivery with good results. One thing I like about the game and the people who play it is that if your opponent makes a good shot, even if it scores against you, then you applaud his/her effort.

I have played in many tournaments in Southern Ontario and have met bowlers from teenagers to people in their eight-ies. One gentleman told me when I first started bowling that “It is a game that you can play for the rest of your life”.

The game’s simplicity makes it grand and we play from May to October each

year. The Club is located in McMahon Park next to the tennis courts; at the cor-ner of Maple St. and Fleury St. We play on Sunday afternoons with a 1:45 PM start, also Monday and Thursday evenings with a 6:45 PM start.

We are always eager to meet new bowlers and will introduce you to the ba-sics to get you started. Teams are made up from the members that come out to play. The games are social and it is our mission that you have fun.

Why not “Give it a Try”?

gIvE IT A TRy/// by Raymond Noble, Aurora lawn bowling Club


AURO

RA

LAWN BOWLING

CLU

B

est. 1914

Fourteen year olds, Chloe Taylor and Soorna Choheili competed at the 2015 Speedo Eastern Canadian Open held February 19 – 22 at Laval University in Quebec City.

This was a milestone achievement for both Chloe and Soorna as they competed in the “15 & Under” and “16 & Under” Age Categories, respectively. Soorna Choheili qualified for the B Final in the 50 m Freestyle, and placed 16th overall in the “16 & Under” Age Class. Soorna posted the 2nd fastest 50 m Freestyle time for 14 year old boys at the event.

Eleven top performers for Ducks Swimming, in the “13 & under” age category, competed at the Winter Festival Provincial Championships held at the Etobicoke Olympium on February 21 & 22: Lauren Baines, Holly Biasi, Hunter Edwards, Shannon Meadway, Thomas Nelander, Toma Noda, Andrew Pignatelli, Jacob Rapp, Tori Rapp, Megan Sidor and George Zizakovic. This group of eleven turned in nine finalist performances (top 8): Jacob Rapp (3rd – 200 m Breaststroke, 7th – 800 m Freestyle and 7th – 200 m IM), Andrew Pignatelli (4th – 50 m Freestyle), Shannon Meadway (5th – 200 m Freestyle and 8th – 400 m Freestyle), Thomas Nelander (6th – 50 m Backstroke, 6th – 100 m Backstroke and 8th – 50 m Butterfly) and Toma Noda (7th – 100 m Breaststroke).

Eight Ducks, “13 & over”, competed at the Provincial Age Group Championships held in Brantford February 26 – March 1: Soorna Choheil, Grace Harris, Jayne Kim, Nydia Langill, Carter McWilliams, Andrew Pignatelli, Natalie Shears and Hayden Spiers. Nydia Langill was a dominant force; capturing 1st place and setting a new Canadian Record in the 100 m Breaststroke PARA Multi-class event. Nydia also delivered a bronze medal performance in the 200 m IM and a 5th place finish in the 100 m Freestyle. Nydia has been named to the World Championships (July 2015) and Parapan Am (August 2015) teams.

Fourteen year old Soorna Choheili advanced to the Finals in all 3 of his individual events, placing 6th in the Boys 50 m Freestyle, 7th in the 100 m Butterfly and 7th in the 100 m Freestyle.

The Boys 13-14 Relay Team: Soorna Choheili, Andrew Pignatelli, Hayden Spiers and Maxwell Jones, turned in two top 8 performances; 6th in the 4 x 50 m Freestyle Relay and 8th in the 4 x 100 m Freestyle Relay.

Five Ducks captured six podium perfor-mances at the Central Region Short Course Championships February 5 – 8 in Etobicoke. Sarah Bond won 1st Place in the Girls 14, 200 m Backstroke; Jayne Kim took the Bronze Medal in the Girls 15, 200 m Breaststroke; Carter McWilliams captured 3rd Place in the Boys 15, 200 m Backstroke; Toma Noda won Gold in the Boys 10 & Under, 100 m Breaststroke and Silver in the 50 m Breaststroke; and, Emma Point delivered a Bronze Medal performance in the Girls 14, 100 m Breaststroke.

The Ducks hold Summer Camps in July and August for current members and anyone interested in sampling our stroke development or competitive swim programs.

Soorna Choheili at Markham Spring Invitational

Senior Boys photo courtesy of Kylie Kostecki


According to Special Ducks Swim Team Manager, Sue Deacon, progress has occurred with improvements in numbers and levels of athlete skills as well as added

pool space. “For the last couple of years, as the team has grown, we have separated the Special Ducks into two skill levels at two different facilities. The growth of the team is exciting for all of us, and we would like to thank the Town of Aurora for helping us secure enough pool space to bring everyone back together at the SARC next season on Friday night. This will allow for more focus on developing the skill levels of all swim-mers to offer them the opportunity to compete – which is one of the priorities of the Special Olympics organization. We are very proud of the progress our swimmers make in and out of the pool.” She added, “During the competitive meets this year we had some really big improvements and great swims

for Madison Bailey-Borges, Eric Froese, Jolen McPhee, Andrew Robertson, Rebecca Tyhurst, Jessica Porter, Adam Brookes and Aidan MacDonald.”

Lloyd Brown, Swim Coach and Sport Technical Coordinator, observed that the best Meet of the year was the Provincial Championships (2016) Qualifier, as it was the biggest turn out and a great performance by all of the Special Ducks Swimmers posted several personal best swims. Of particular note Gary Freeman placed first in the 25 m, 50 m and 400 m freestyle and 25 m breaststroke. Christopher Shaw excelled at 25 m and 50 m backstroke with improved times. Nathan Kim excelled at 25 m, 50 m and 100 m breaststroke as well as 25 m butterfly with all personal best times. The meet was held at the Toronto Pan Am Sport Centre (TPASC) in Scarborough where the Pan Am and

Parapan Am swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events will be held this summer. It was a great experience for the Special Ducks.

AURORA SPECIAl DUCkS SWIm SEASON A SUCCESS! \\\ by lauren macDermid

On May 14th, coach Jen Meron and two of her elite athletes, Teija RomColthoff and Natalie Seguin

flew to Winnipeg to vie for a spot on the Canadian Team to the 2015 International Cup, being held August 1-10, 2015 in Abbotsford B.C.

Divisions were huge, and the competi-tion both tough and stressful, but both athletes put up personal best perfor-mances, and the judges rewarded them.

In the end, both women qualified in all their individual events. Seguin qualified in the #1 spot for Solo, #2 for 2 baton, and #3 for Artistic Twirl. RomColthoff qualified in the #1 spot for 2 baton, the #3 spot for 3 baton, and #6 in both Solo and Artistic.

“This is something we have been work-ing towards for years. To see both these girls qualify to represent Canada, Ontario and Aurora at the WBTF International

Cup, and to do so in such a decisive way is incredibly satisfying and exciting,” said Coach Jen Meron.

SPECTRUm ChAmPIONS AT ONTARIO’SThe next weekend, May 23-24, the club competed at the Ontario Provincial Baton Twirling Championships at Durham College, Oshawa. Again, Spectrum brought home the hardware. A virtu-ally perfect performance from the clubs Junior Dance

Twirl Team, Mercy which earned them the gold medal. The club’s Senior Twirl Team, Pompeii also earned gold in that division.

Bridget Lynagh, 12 won Gold in Junior 3 Baton and Bronze in Junior Womens Freestyle and Teija RomColthoff won Gold in Collegiate 3 Baton, Silver in Collegiate Solo Dance and Solo, and Bronze in Collegiate 2 baton. Leyla Ozturk won Gold in Senior 2 baton and Taylor Burke won Gold in Junior Solo Dance.

Spectrum’s next big event is the Annual Show and Awards evening, on June 6th at Newmarket High. “Its our biggest night of the year, when all the kids get to perform for their biggest fans – their parents, family and friends. It’s a special celebration!” said Coach Meron.

The show will feature the clubs competitive, precompetitive, and 25 recreational athletes.

For more information on baton twirling and Spectrum, please contact Jen Meron at [email protected] or call 905-727-7586.

Spectrum baton Athletes Qualify for Canadian Team\\\ Story and Photo Courtesy of Spectrum baton

SWIMMING – Special Olympics Ontario – Aurora

BATON – Spectrum Baton Club

The swim team at the Provincial Championships (2016) Qualifier meet.


In 2005, Bon Jovi wrote that “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”.

Ten years later, Ryan Stickle of the Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club asked himself the very same question.

With that, Stickle came home to Seneca College. Stickle attended Seneca College, successfully complet-

ing two programs, after being a dual sport student-athlete at Canisius College of the NCAA in rugby and hockey. Now, Stickle will be patrolling the sideline of the rugby pitch, leading and teaching the Seneca Sting the tactics and techniques he’s amassed in his twenty-plus years of experience in the sport. Stickle will be tasked with returning the Sting to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s elite after missing the playoffs the last two seasons. Prior to that, the Sting had won medals in thirteen out of fourteen years.

Although not an easy challenge, it is one Stickle is more than prepared for.

“Seeing an athlete achieve success is something that makes me happy and proud. Knowing I was able to assist a player in some way is something I take quite seriously. Looking back, it was the great coaches I had that kept me involved in sports

and motivated me to help others. I think it’s that solid foundation that has provided me the passion for coach-ing that I possess today. “

Living a life consumed by sport, Stickle currently coaches the U18 Aurora Barbarians as well as runs ses-sions for St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School in Aurora. When he’s not coaching rugby, Stickle officiates the sport he is most passionate about.

Away from the pitch, Stickle is the Owner and Operator of Advantage Sporting in Oak Ridges. There, Stickle provides coaching, officiating, training and services to clients in both hockey and rugby.

As Stickle enters the next chapter in his professional career, it will be one with high expectations. The (newest) member of the Sting Family would not have it any other way, at home, where he can apply the knowledge he obtained at Ontario’s Most Decorated College.

RUGBY – Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club

plAyER SAfEty a pRiORity at Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club

Club management at the Aurora Barbarians Rugby Club has always prided itself on player safety and

wellbeing. The long season and tough physical play require participants to be in top shape and get the care they need when injuries happen. “It is part of the game.” says team manager John Reich. “We do our best to promote injury prevention, however the players do get

hurt occasionally and we are always prepared for that.”

The main strength of the club’s deter-mination to ensure player wellbeing has come from physiotherapist Laura Libby’s care, on and off the field. “Laura has been a vital part of our senior men’s and junior’s programs for fifteen years” offers Men’s Director Leighton Chong. “She has been there to treat the guys at the field and made time available in her clinic to provide the rehab therapy required to bring a player back into the game as soon as he is fit and ready.”

Adds club president Steve Hall, “Laura has been our MVP every year. She’s out there in the cold and the wet and the blazing heat, at practices and games, to make sure the guys get taped and are fit to play. She monitors their progress through recovery and she always puts player safety ahead of the team, as it should be.”

Laura has worked with the senior men’s team steadily since 1999 and been

equally active with the Junior Boys since 2005. She has volunteered for stints with the Canadian Men’s and Women’s National teams and this summer will work as part of the Pan Am host medical staff.

With a son and a daughter both playing with the Barbarians and husband Harvey active in the administration of the club, rugby has been a family affair. However this year starts a new chapter for the stalwart performer as it is time to take on other of life’s opportunities.

“Laura has so much to offer in her area of interest” adds Reich. “The family is setting up for a physical move and though her priorities are shifting, her family remains committed to the Barbs in other ways. As well as currently working in Newmarket, she will be wrapped up in Pan Am this summer. We have to build on what she started and has maintained over fifteen years. And we are grateful for every hour of her time she has committed to the Barbs.”

Stickle Comes home to lead Sting/// by Ryan Phipps, Sports Information Officer, Seneca College /// Photo Courtesy of Seneca Sting

/// by Aurora barbarians Rugby Football Club /// Photos Courtesy of leighton Chong


RUGBY – Seneca Sting


VOLLEYBALL – Storm

There were 648 teams participating in Ontario Championships over three, 3-Day weekends in April and 787 teams participating in the National Championships in Calgary. Volleyball has chosen to make these types of events “Open” and available to anyone that wants to participate, however each team must earn their ranking throughout the season in order to

be eligible for entrance into Division 1. Only the top 32 teams from across the country as determined by the rankings formula will get to compete for Provincial or National supremacy. Once again the amazing athletes, coaches and parents made this a year to remember in Aurora. Seventeen of the 19 Storm teams were in Division 1 for Provincials and 9 of 10 were Division 1 for Nationals. Their commitment and dedication to training and playing hard has paid off for the entire organization. Storm Volleyball finished tied for first in Canada with five top 5 finishes at Nationals, four silver medals and a 4th place finish. They were also second in Ontario with eleven top 5 finishes, one behind the winner and four ahead of the third place club. Storm Volleyball has won 292 indoor medals over the last 5 years, 106 Gold, 103 Silver & 83 Bronze, 62 of those medals have been won at Provincial and National Championships. This is a testament to our coaches and the types of programs run by Storm Volleyball.

STORm vOllEybAll RISES TO ThE TOP \\\ Story and Photos Courtesy of Storm volleyball

Storm Typhoon 15U Girls won their third Ontario Championship in a row complet-ing the 3-Peat, winning at 13U, 14U and now 15U. They were also ranked 7th out of 78 teams in the older 16U age division. Typhoon finished 2nd at Nationals in an all Ontario final losing 13-15 in the 3rd set. In fact, Ontario finished 1, 2 & 3 at Nationals.

Storm Avalanche 13U Girls won their first Ontario Championship in their own age division and they also won the 14U Tier 2 Championship giving them a rank-ing of 17th out of 99 teams in Ontario in the older age division. This team also looked for more competition by playing 2 years up in the 15U Division for one event.

Storm Blizzard 14U Girls finished 2nd at both Ontario Championships and Nationals. They defeated the Ontario Champions at Nationals in the quarter finals to move on to the semi’s where they defeated Bronze medal team from Ontario to make it to the finals where they lost to a team from B.C.

Storm Lightning 17U Boys, coached by Beach Volleyball Olympic bronze medal-ist Mark Heese finished 2nd at Ontario Championships. They lost a very close match showcasing the power and speed of young men’s volleyball 25-27, 16-25. They met the Ontario Champions again in the semi-finals at Nationals and lost another close match and then a very strong team from Alberta defeated them in the Bronze match. Interesting side-note… Mark Heese and John Child, Beach partners winning the Bronze Medal for Canada at the Olympics were competing against each other coaching their respec-tive teams at the Ontario Championships. John won on day 1 and Mark won on day 2, however day 2 was more important because it determined your ranking for the day 3 sudden death matches.

Storm Vortex 16U Girls had a great season and continue to improve and find ways to win. As the defending Provincial Champions trying to repeat their success they struggled on day 2. They lost all three matches with very close scores (23-25,23-25 and then 25-27, 21-25 and finally 16-25, 27-25, 10-15). This matched them up with the number one seed in the quarter finals and they just didn’t have enough to get past them. The coaches and athletes worked hard for the next few weeks preparing for Nationals where they came out flying. They only lost two matches over the 3 day event and one of them was in another all-Ontario final where they lost a close match 25-18, 17-25, 13-15 earning them a silver medal at Nationals.

Storm RipTide 14U Boys coming off a great season of learning and experience they only lost two matches over the 3-day Ontario Championships and they were both against the same team, the second time was in the final where they won Silver. They were dominating teams at Nationals winning all their matches 2 straight over the 3 days except the Championship Final. They met the Ontario Champions again losing a close match 15-25, 25-21, 13-15 to take the silver medal at Nationals.


Vaulters Again /// by Cindy veitch, St. Andrew’s College

/// Photos Courtesy of Paul mosey, The lazy Poet

Austin (centre) broke a 22-year-old school record set by alumnus Jason Baun (right), seen here with Coach David Galajda at the Metro OFSAAs.

SAC graduate Austin Valjas, 17, helped to resurrect pole vaulting by setting a new school record while inspiring younger jumpers.

(l-r) J.P Martin, Joseph Yazdani, and Callum Murphy each qualified for the OFSAA provincials.

POLE VAULT – St. Andrew’s College

SOAR

There’s been a resurgence in pole vaulting at St. Andrew’s College (SAC) after a two-decade lull.

The sport was very popular in the 1990s, when certified level 2 jump coach and SAC teacher David Galajda took students to train up to three times weekly at York University, often alongside national coaches and top jumpers.

Student interest waned, however, and other demands beckoned Coach Galajda. When a new and fully-equipped track and field complex opened at SAC three years ago, he recommitted to the sport and began working with a core group of students.

“I’m very proud to see this program revitalized and doing so well,” says Coach Galajda. He explains it takes a special kid to pole vault, one who is quick, has excellent hand-eye coordination, and is able to learn and apply all the technical aspects.

Leading the pack is senior Austin Valjas who set the pace for the season at an early invitational where he cleared 3.60 m – the former school record. His final jump of 3.80 m clinched the gold, and his grade 12 teammates, Devon Walters and Ben Harrison, were right behind him in second and third place respectively.

After crushing the 22-year-old school record, Austin went on to finish first at the Conference of Independent Schools’ Athletic Association (CISAA), and to qualify for both the Metro Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA), and the OFSAA provincials.

The team’s winning ways continued at the CISAA meet in May, with gold medals earned at every level — Senior, Junior, and Midget – “something that has never happened before,” says Coach Galajda. The event also qualified jumpers to the Metro OFSAAs.

Callum Murphy’s second-place jump at 3.20 m earned him the SAC Junior record and a ticket to the provincials along with fellow grade 10 team-mates, J.P. Martin and Joseph Yazdani. In the Midget Division, Josh Mwinyoglee, 14, soared to his personal best with a 2.90 m jump, capturing silver and landing within reach of the 3.05 m Midget record. Both Josh and teammate Allen Hu, 15, qualified for OFSAA.

“A laid-back and supportive brotherhood exists in this sport,” says Coach Galajda. “Unlike team sports, it’s really just you against the pole.”



Pickering College

tHE JOy Of EffORtPICkERINg COllEgE hONOURS gRADUATINg STUDENTS FOR ExCEllENCE IN AThlETICS\\\ Story and Photos Courtesy of Pickering College

With the school year drawing to a close, Pickering College recently honoured a few of its

graduating students for their outstanding contributions to athletics.

First, The Blackstock Award is a special honour that is not given out every year. Instead, it is reserved for those students who truly deserve it.

The award, created by PC alumnus Brian Blackstock ’56, is named for Brian’s father Dr. C. Reginald (Blackie) Blackstock. Blackstock was a significant presence in Pickering College life from 1928 to 1959, becoming the first person at a school in Canada to hold the position of Director of Physical Education.

The Blackstock Award itself is a replica of The Joy of Effort bronze medallion by Canadian sculptor and physical education pioneer Tait McKenzie. The medallion, used in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm as the Bronze medal, is of special sig-nificance to Pickering College. In 1978, Blackstock presented the school with The Joy of Effort medallion, mounted in an original wooden plaque sculpted by for-mer Pickering teacher of art, Fred Hagan. It is proudly displayed in Rogers House.

The Blackstock Award is presented to a deserving Grade 12 student whose contribution to athletics exemplifies the motto The Joy of Effort.

This year’s recipient, Kate Moody, sincerely participates for the love of the

game and the pure joy of effort. While very athletic, Kate also has a spirit and enthusiastic, infectious attitude that makes her an incredible teammate.

“Just by playing with her, you enjoy sport differently. She inspires you to do better, but also helps show you why sport and effort are so important,” says Cristy Drake, Director of Co-curricular Program at Pickering College. “When you coach Kate, you can see she just loves being there – it’s not about the result.”

The second award, Athlete of the Year, is for a graduating student who has partic-ipated in all three seasons of sport. Where the Blackstock Award focuses on the spirit of sport, Athlete of the Year recognizes exceptional athletic ability. This person is often the most valuable teammate for their effort, skill, determination and drive to succeed.

TWO DESERvINg RECIPIENTS IN 2015!Eric Cumiskey, Grade 12, has been noted by his coaches for being driven, hardworking and versatile. He is positive and respectful,

but has the desire to work hard and win. He is consistently the best player on the team, participating this year in volleyball, hockey and rugby.

Sarah Ritchie, Grade 12, is one of the hardest workers at practice and in games. She comes everyday ready to give her best and inspires others around her to do the same. She is competitive and driven, while being supportive and encouraging to her teammates. She participated in soccer, volleyball and softball during the 2014/2015 school year.

Pickering College congratulates all of its athletes for an excellent year in sport!

For further information about Pickering College, please visit their website at www.pickeringcollege.on.ca

Kate Moody (right) Eric Cumiskey (left) & Sarah Ritchie (centre)

LEARNING FOR LIFE.CREATING THE FUTURE.

MAKE A FRESH START THIS SEPTEMBER!Consider Pickering College in Newmarket

Visit us: www.pickeringcollege.on.ca

BOOK YOUR PERSONAL TOUR!

Our students, faculty and staff live the values that have guided Pickering College since 1842 in a stimulating collegial environment.

Our dedicated teachers focus on the whole child, so students develop confidence, social conscience and acquire the skills and knowledge for success.

Meet our students, faculty and staff. Learn more about our specialized programming and go on a personal tour of our historic campus.

To book your personal tour, please contact our Admission Office:

905-895-1700 ext. [email protected] Bayview Ave.

Your son. Our mission.

When he opens the door to St. Andrew’s College, he opens his mind to a world of possibilities. Since 1899 we have provided enriched academics, unparalleled athletics, and dynamic arts programs resulting in strong, independent and intelligent young men.

Currently o�ering an enrolment incentive of $5,000 for grades 5 & 6and $2.3 million annually in scholarship and bursary assistance.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

sport in aurora – vol. 5 issue 2

Documents