Medals as follows:

Blaine Blackie – Did not compete in patterns, Silver in sparring,
Errison Blackie – Gold in patterns, Gold in sparring,
Andrea Creighton – Silver in patterns, Gold in sparring,
Harold Davis – Gold in patterns, did not compete in sparring,
Richard Killeen-Payne – Gold in patterns, Gold in sparring,
Tracy Manuge – Gold in patterns, did not compete in sparring (missing from the photo),
Savanna MacLennan – Gold in patterns, Silver in sparring,
Alexander Townshend – Silver in patterns, Silver in sparring,
Corbin Williams – Silver in patterns, Gold in sparring,
Parker Williams – Gold in patterns, Gold in sparring.

Mr. Stoerig would like to extend his thanks to coaches/judges:  Jeff Dixon, Darrell Foley, Tracy Manuge (not in photo), Toni Seguin (not in photo) and Jessica Stoerig, as well as a special thank you to “Geoffrey Creighton Photography” for the wonderful photo coverage.

Taekwon-Do is a martial art developed in the 1940’s by General Choi Hong Hi and named on April 11th 1955, in Seoul, Korea.  Literally, “Tae” means to kick or smash with the foot, “Kwon” means to punch or destroy with the hand, and “Do” means the art or way.

Taekwon–Do is beneficial both physically and mentally, requiring students to practice discipline and self-control while having fun in a safe, supervised, environment.

Fall River resident Bill Stoerig heads the Fall River Taekwon-Do school. The International Instructor and Examiner, who holds a 5th degree Black Belt, ICTF #1677, wanted to offer children and adults the opportunity to get involved in a constructive, physically active program in his community.

Mr. Stoerig is Assistant to the ICTF Membership Committee, as well as the ICTF Provincial Representative. The Class “A” Umpire and Referee is a successful tournament competitor and coach.

Mr. Stoerig has been a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces for over 25 years, and is Standard First Aid qualified. He has been a student of Taekwon-Do for many years, training continuously with various Instructors and Masters.  In addition to training locally, he has attended numerous seminars and workshops throughout Canada.  Mr. Stoerig’s instructor is Master Cariati, President of the International Ch’ang-Hon Taekwon-Do Federation (ICTF) (please see bio), an exciting and growing organization, teaching Taekwon-Do the way it was intended by the founder, General Choi Hong Hi.

Fall River Taekwon-Do teaches the moral and social values of Ch’ang-Hon style traditional Taekwon-Do. It’s a great place for individuals and families to bond, get in shape, and much more.

For more information visit www.fallrivertkd.ca or email  frtkd@ns.sympatico.ca

The 2010 Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team won gold last Thursday when they defeated the US 2-0. And after a thrilling, but nerve-wracking game on Sunday night, the Canadian men’s team also soared to victory, winning the Gold medal and securing a place in Olympic history. It was the eighth Gold medal ever for Canadian men’s Olympic hockey, and it was the first Gold medal for the men since the Canadians defeated the US on American soil at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. But better still; it was the very first time a Canadian Gold medal was won on Canadian soil in the entire history of Olympic men’s hockey.

I have a confession to make, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games were really the first hockey games I had ever watched and actually tried to understand. But as I sat in front of the television with my husband and my eleven year old son as the puck dropped, I quickly felt myself getting drawn into the competitiveness of the sport. It wasn’t long before I found myself stomping my feet and hollering at the top of my lungs, cheering for “my” team players as they raced up the ice with the puck and tried to score each important goal. Like a junkie who gets addicted to their first “hit”, I was hooked on hockey with the very first game I watched.

And I am sure I was only one among many who found themselves up on their feet and screaming on Sunday night, sure of victory as the men’s Canadian team played out the last minute of the regular game. Like most fans, I was certain the victory and a gold medal were only seconds away for the Canadian boys. The shock hit me hard as the Americans scored the game-tying goal with only mere seconds left in the last period. When that happened, I stopped short, looked at my husband, and said bluntly, “well now, that definitely sucks doesn’t’ it?” I could not believe what had happened! As the clock counted down the last minute, I had been so sure it was a done deal and that a Gold medal was only seconds away – when the Americans scored that last goal, I am sure I stood looking at the television screen for a full ten seconds, trying to wrap my brain around what had just taken place. Not only had I quickly learned how exciting and thrilling the game of hockey can be, but in that instant, I also got a fast lesson about the letdown that can accompany the game of hockey as well.

As the game went into overtime, with officials allotting a full 20 minutes for the teams to break the 2-2 tie, I thought back to the first time I had ever seen Sidney Crosby. His mom, Trina, had brought him into the office where I worked with his dad, Troy; Sidney couldn’t have been more than three years old at the time. It didn’t take long back then to see how incredibly proud Troy was of his little boy; with his dark hair and infectious smile, Sidney was absolutely adorable. I can still picture the coffee cup Troy had at his desk with Sidney’s picture on it – if my memory serves me correctly; the little guy was posing in his hockey gear! So it was equally exciting for me to watch the Olympic hockey games simply because Sidney was part of them.

My own sons, twins, are only a few years older than Sidney, and so when they outgrew their first pairs of skates, Troy bought one pair for Sidney; I brought a pair into the office for him to take home and try on his son. The following day Troy approached me and asked if I wouldn’t mind bringing in the other pair of skates I had at home. No, there was nothing wrong with the skates, ……the problem was, that I had brought Troy two skates for the same foot! That may have explained why my twins had never taken to skating with much success. Unfortunately, and as bad as it may sound, I had not realized that there was a right and a left foot when it came to boy’s hockey skates! That has been nearly twenty years ago, but it’s one of those little things I’ll never forget – it’s a memory that I chuckle over every time it crosses my mind.

When Sidney shot the puck between US Goalie Ryan Miller’s legs and scored the winning goal for Canada on Sunday night, seeing his reaction and the look on his face as he realized what he had just done, well, for an instant the young hockey hero looked exactly like the cute little boy I remembered as he threw off his gloves and leaped up and down with glee. His excitement was contagious, and once again I found myself up on my feet and hollering right along with all of the spectators at Canada’s Hockey Place who witnessed live, the goal that will be remembered for years to come.

How many people have wished “hindsight was foresight”? Me for one. I remember Troy always telling me I should put my sons into hockey, and I remember just as clearly my response; I told him there was “no amount of money in the world” that could ever make me sit my behind in a cold rink at five o’clock in the morning, just so my children could chase a little piece of rubber up and down a sheet of ice. Boy oh boy, if ever there were words I’d like to eat, those are them. Yup, admittedly, Troy got the last laugh there, in fact it’s probably more like a few million laughs!

Seriously, it’s really nice to see Sidney succeed on the level he has; I have no doubt that his dad should be commended for doing such a great job in guiding his son and supporting him as Sidney pursued his passion for the sport of hockey. It’s no secret, hockey is in Sidney’s blood, and Troy and Trina were definitely supportive and encouraging of their child’s interest in the sport, even at such a young age. It truly warms my heart to know how it all turned out in the end.

I confess, Sidney’s success has been a valuable “lesson learned” for me – I was very quick to put my youngest son into football as soon as he showed an interest last year. I think it’s a good deal; at least there are no cold rinks to get to at 5a.m.! The frequent rainstorms were a bit of a nuisance, but nothing a rain-suit and rubber boots didn’t handle, as I sat cheering from the bleachers with water running down my face. No, I may not have a Wayne Gretzky or a Sidney Crosby living under my roof, but that’s okay, I’d settle nicely for an Emmitt Smith or a Jerry Rice….yup, that would suit me just fine for sure.

“We are pleased to see work begin on this $39 million facility that will address a long-standing need for additional ice surfaces in the region,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “This arena will be a place for everyone – from hockey lovers of all ages, to children learning to skate, to families enjoying time together on the ice.”

Bedford Councillor Tim Outhit also showed his support for this important new piece of civic infrastructure.

“This is a great day for HRM and a great day for our community. This facility will contribute to the overall health and wellness of our citizens, and will be a centerpiece for sport development and active living for all ages,” said Outhit.

The arena project is funded through Halifax Regional Municipality and will be built to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards. The arena will be fully owned by HRM and operated by Nustadia Recreation Inc.

“We operate facilities much like this one in many Canadian cities and we are delighted to begin a partnership with HRM to operate a top notch facility,” said Nustadia’s Ben Sproule.

Participants in minor sports such as hockey, ringette, figure skating, and sledge hockey will be the true beneficiaries of the new facility, said Bedford Minor Hockey President Todd Watson.

“It’s all about the kids. We can’t wait to come back here this time next year for our season opening games,” he said. “Today marks a new chapter in our sporting history.”

For more background information on this project visit  www.Halifax.ca

“Throughout Nova Scotia, there has been a tremendous growth period in the last five years,” said Stan Hennigar, president of the Fall River Minor Football Association (FRMFA).

The Fall River Minor Football Association was founded in November, 2004, by a group of local residents interested in creating a “feeder system” for the Lockview Dragons Football Team, at Lockview High School. The original founding directors of the organization were Stan Hennigar, Daniel Chisholm, Steve Boyce, Lynn Langrock, Greg MacLean, Terry Thorne, and Chris Valardo. The Association was registered in Feb. 2005, as a non-profit society with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks. Participants came from Fall River, Waverley, Windsor Jct., and the Beaver Bank area.

“We started out with flag football in 2005,” said Hennigar, “Chris Valardo was our head coach; he had coached high school football in New Brunswick for 10 years. When we began, there were no kids out here playing football, now there are approximately 100 kids.”

The game grew, and next came the development of the PeeWee Dragons Tackle Team that same year. Following a major expansion in 2006, both Mite and Bantam Tackle Teams were introduced.

In the years since developing the FRMFA, coaches have come and gone as their children moved up or on. But Hennigar is one coach who stayed on and continues to share his love of football with kids wanting to learn to play the game.

Hennigar is no stranger to the game of football, or baseball or hockey for that matter. He played university football with the St. Mary’s Huskies. He also played Major Junior, AHL, and Senior A Hockey, placing 1st in the National Tournament in the Midget and Junior divisions three years in a row. And he won MVP and Batting Champion during the National Midget Championships of ’81. In 2007, Hennigar was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.

Hennigar would like to see more kids come out and play in the future, but equally important are the parents and volunteers. “Our club relies on volunteers and sponsors to do this,” said Hennigar. “Without the parents and volunteers who step up to coach, we would not be able to do it. Volunteers are the strength of our club.”

Hennigar believes the Associations goal, to train players up so they can one day play on the Lockview High School Football Team – and perhaps even college – is successful. “That was our main goal initially,” he said. “We always have competitive teams; this year we are seeing the most kids we’ve ever seen who have gone through us, now playing for Lockview. Approximately 68% of the Lockview Team players have played with us. High school programs are popping up all over the province.”

Hennigar said football is a sport that everyone can take part in. “Football is a great sport for kids of all sizes and abilities. You don’t have to be a great athlete to be a good football player. And it’s a sport that is very affordable; under $300 and we provide all the gear. It’s a short, three month season.”

The Fall River Dragons Football Club is sponsored by RCS; co-owner Bruce Mollins son Campbell plays on the offensive line for the peewee team. “He really likes it,” said Mollins.

Hennigar sees it as a win-win situation. “We were lucky enough RCS signed on as our sponsor; they have been a great help to us financially,” said Hennigar. “Without the committed coaches and volunteers, and our generous sponsor, we would not have a lot of the training equipment we have. Their tremendous support to our club allows us to purchase training equipment etc. We are really lucky, we have equipment other clubs don’t have.”

“I’ve known the organizers of the Fall River Dragons for some time and really respect the time and effort they (and all sports team volunteers for that matter) put in to establish and run the football program annually,” said Mollins. “As the owner of a very busy general contracting firm, I’ve found my time insufficient for such a regular commitment although I do try to participate when and where I can. In lieu of my time, I had mentioned to Chris Valardo, one of the founding directors and current pee wee coach, that I would be willing to help out financially if they so needed. Chris went to the Dragons Association and followed up with a two year sponsorship deal which I think has worked out well for both parties.”

A number of the local football players have been involved in provincial programs. “Last year we had 12 kids involved in Under 17 and Under 15 provincial teams,” Hennigar said. “The earliest they begin playing is age 9. But we are trying to get a mite program for 7 and 8 year olds started. We are also looking at resurrecting the flag program, like we started with five years ago.” Flag football is a no-tackle sport, unlike tackle football.

The Association is also looking to find a permanent field for the team. “We are looking to get a field out here designated as a field for all sports,” Hennigar said. “And we are looking at mandating changes over the next few years. We hope to decrease competitiveness and make it more enjoyable to participate while learning the sport. Training allows players to learn and to become better football players. Football is a collision sport, but if taught properly, it is quite safe.”

“We’ve been very blessed to have our volunteers help us; the fundraising, the BBQ’s really help,” said Hennigar, ”I can’t say enough. A couple of high school players help us. Ryan English played with us for three or four years and he is now helping coach, and Pat LeClaire plays high school football and he is coaching with us. But we do need to get more coaches involved. For us to keep our program viable, we need new blood.”

Mollins enjoys the idea of young people having a chance to play a structured sport, and learning to work together as a team. “I never had the opportunity to play organized football as a kid, but certainly enjoyed the odd game of touch football and watching it,” Mollins said. “However, that never gave me the real sense of teamwork needed to play this game. The choreography is incredible, especially when the young men pull it off. And I think the camaraderie developed between the kids is a life building skill that they will be able to take with them for years to come.”

For more information, go to www.dragons-football.com

The LWF Mystics recorded a perfect season going 19 – 0 to win the first Girls’ League Championship. They went 14 – 0 in the regular season and 5 – 0 in the playoffs.

There were five teams in the League, four from Hammonds Plains and one team from LWF.  “The League started this year, 2009, and played in both Hammonds Plains Highland Park and at LWF at the Windsor Junction Community Centre,” said Kent Pietracupa, President of the LWF Baseball Association. “Both Hammonds Plains and LWF started it so that girls will keep playing hardball longer since they are still mostly at the same skill level.”

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the girls; just finding someone to who would let them play was a major hurdle. “The girls had a hard time being accepted in other Association tournaments since our ages differ from theirs for this league,” said Pietracupa. “No one would let us play. And while playing against boys teams there were things said about girls playing baseball, but the girl’s showed they were bigger than them and spoke with their bats, going two wins and two losses against the boy’s teams. Having an all-girls league, I found the girl’s really bonded together, not only within their own team, but overall sportsmanship and pure love of the game was at a higher level than in the mixed or all-boys (leagues).”

Ten year old Hannah Cahill began playing baseball when she was just six years old. “I played three years on a rookie mixed team with LWF,” said Hannah. “This was my first year on an all-girls team playing in an all-girls league. I joined the team last year, but we did not play in a league; we only participated in a few tournaments together. I play a few different positions including shortstop, second base, and centre field, and I got to pitch a few games this year. My most favourite moment was when I got to pitch.”

Fourteen year old Taylor Adams has been playing baseball for four years. “This year I played with the Mosquito PeeWee’s. I played catcher and third base,” said Taylor. “I joined because I love baseball – throwing and batting. It’s intense.”

Taylor said she likes the tournaments the most. “My favourite part was the tournaments; they were the best. And in the beginning of it, the teams were not that good, but towards the end, they were better so they were a bigger challenge, and I like challenges.”

The League and their president are looking forward to playing again next year and hope to grow bigger. “Next year we hope to expand and have more teams, but hopefully Mosquito Division by themselves and a mixed Pee Wee and /Bantam Division,” said Pietracupa. “That would be really great to see.”

”Hannah said she plans to return next season for sure. “Some of my friends play, and I made new friends on the team this year,” she said. “I plan to play again next year. Baseball is a lot of fun. More girls should play!”

Pietracupa is holding an all-girl’s Fall Baseball Camp, starting Oct. 16, 30, Nov. 6, 20, 27, and Dec. 4, from 6:15 p.m. – 7:45p.m., at Sackville Heights Junior High School. For more information regarding the camp, please e-mail fiveps@accesswave.ca or call 252-1641. It will also be posted on the website: www.leaguelineup.com/lwf

The Atom team had it’s first game at Beazley field in Dartmouth on Sept. 6. Though the opposing Timberlea Titans won the game 7 : 14, the team played very well for the first game of the season. The Dragons player of the game was Joseph Doucet of Fall River.

The football teams are busy fundraising; if you would like to support their efforts while having the chance to win a trip for two to the 2009 Grey Cup game in Calgary, tickets are available for only $5 each. The prize includes return airfare for two from Halifax to Calgary, two nights accomodation in downtown Calgary for Nov.28 and 29. Prize value is $3000. Draw date is Oct. 30, 2009. Contact Joanne at 576-2433 for tickets.

• Sackville Indians 11 3 0 .786 — 157 80
• Sackville Brewers 10 3 0 .769 0.5 142 87
• LWF Warriors 7 3 1 .682 2.0 104 83
• Halifax West Warriors 6 3 1 .650 2.5 96 56
• Blues 5 4 1 .550 3.5 95 78
• Tantallon Tigers 5 6 1 .458 4.5 125 117
• Chebucto A’s 4 8 0 .333 6.0 84 124
• Conrose Cubs 3 6 0 .333 5.5 72 92
• Hammonds Plains A’s 3 7 0 .300 6.0 82 127
• Halifax West Tigers 0 11 0 .000 9.5 58 171

Midget Team Won Lost Tied Pct. G.B. RF RA

• TC Chiefs 9 1 0 .900 — 121 40
• TC Rangers 9 2 0 .818 0.5 120 54
• Eastern Passage 5 3 0 .625 3.0 78 51
• WPW 4 5 0 .444 4.5 65 91
• HP A’s 3 4 0 .429 4.5 64 65
• Cole Harbour Cardinals 1 3 0 .250 5.0 28 44
• Humber Park 2 8 0 .200 7.0 55 100
• HP – Girls 1 8 0 .111 7.5 43 129

Pee Wee Team Won Lost Tied Pct. G.B. RF RA

• Sackville Mets 12 1 1 .893 — 175 102
• LWF Braves 7 2 2 .727 3.0 139 83
• Bedford Braves 8 3 1 .708 3.0 152 89
• Bedford Blues 7 6 0 .538 5.0 166 135
• Sackville Yankees 7 6 0 .538 5.0 166 118
• Sackville White Sox 6 7 1 .464 6.0 154 197
• Sackville Astros 3 10 0 .231 9.0 125 226
• Sackville Twins 1 8 1 .150 9.0 112 169
• LWF Warriors 1 9 0 .100 9.5 112 182

Mosquito

• Team Won Lost Tied Pct. G.B. RF RA
• LWF Raiders 10 0 0 1.000 — 125 37
• Bedford Blues 9 2 0 .818 1.5 83 40
• Sackville Expos 9 3 1 .731 2.0 116 78
• Sackville Padres 10 4 0 .714 2.0 115 89
• Sackville Giants 6 5 1 .542 4.5 107 88
• Sackville Athletics 3 4 3 .450 5.5 84 69
• Sackville Dodgers 3 5 3 .409 6.0 98 120
• Bedford White Sox 4 6 1 .409 6.0 83 100
• LWF Hurricanes 3 5 0 .375 6.0 61 71
• Bedford Braves 3 7 0 .300 7.0 66 80
• LWF Braves 2 9 0 .182 8.5 33 119
• LWF Warriors 0 12 1 .038 11.0 60 140

Girls League Team Won Lost Tied Pct. G.B. RF RA

• LWF Mystics 6 0 0 1.000 — 74 4
• HP Orioles 6 1 0 .857 0.5 52 31
• HP Blue Jays 3 5 1 .389 4.0 48 66
• HP Red Sox 2 6 1 .278 5.0 36 75
• HP A’s 2 7 0 .222 5.5 40 74

Rookie Team Won Lost Tied Pct. G.B. RF RA

• Expos 6 0 0 1.000 — 53 24
• Hurricanes 5 1 0 .833 1.0 49 24
• Raiders 5 3 0 .625 2.0 58 53
• Mets 3 5 1 .389 4.0 72 66
• Red Sox 1 3 1 .300 4.0 42 51
• Mystics 0 8 0 .000 7.0 13 69

The highlight of the day for the young girls was the appearance of Melanie Harwood and Autumn Mills of the National Women’s Team. Melanie and Autumn lead the girls through a skills camp, as well as helped ump some of the afternoon games; they signed autographs and posed for photos with all the girls in attendance.

Not only was it about learning skills and helping them to become better baseball players, it was also about the social networking and participating with their peers that has helped these girls become more confident and out-going. In the summer of 2008 – Over 80 girls between the ages of 5 and 13, from both the Hammonds Plains Baseball Association and LWF Baseball Association showed up at the Windsor Junction Community Centre fields for the first ever Girls Day in Baseball. This was a fun day of exhibition games and skill development for the girls.

This year – Girls Day in Baseball will be held on July 26th – at the Mainland Commons baseball field in Clayton Park and it will be hosted by Baseball Nova Scotia and Baseball Canada. Returning this year will be Melanie Harwood from Team Canada – and joining her will be her team-mate, Samantha Magalas. Also participating in the skills clinic for the girls will be the two local senior men’s teams – Halifax Pelham Electric and the Dartmouth Dry. Both of these teams will be participating in the Senior Men’s National Championships to be held here in late August.

This year’s Girl’s Day will include a skills camp, Mini Game, Hit Run and Throw contest, Home Run Derby, BBQ, Autograph Session, and a “Wish You Could Throw Like A Girl” t-shirt. The 101.3 Bounce Summer Cruiser will be live broadcasting from the field.

At this time the LWF Baseball Association has two all girl teams; one in the Rookie division and one Mosquito/Pee Wee in the Girl’s League with Hammonds Plains.

“This is the result of six or seven years of work to have all-girls teams,” said Councillor Barry Dalrymple.  “We always wanted girls to have the choice to play on all-girl teams; we have peewee and rookie teams and an all-girl peewee league. We are thrilled to be where we are, with the Girl’s Day program.”

The spin offs from last year’s girls day have been amazing. This concept has been launched across the country this year. In late May, Manitoba held it’s first Girls Day and received coverage on the CBC National news. New Brunswick and P.E.I. both hosted their own Girl’s Days at the end of June. All of the other provinces will be following suit this summer as well, but no where will it be bigger than on the Mainland Commons later this month.

To learn more about having your daughter participate in this event, please click the Q & A form under the “You Wish You could Throw Like a
Girl” Link at http://www.baseballnovascotia.com/forms/view.php?id=1 or visit Baseball NS at:    www.baseballnovascotia.com

“This concept is fantastic and I hope to see it continue to grow,” said Kent Pietracupa, President of the LWF Baseball Association. “I would love to see more girls attend this years event; “it is open to all girls not just the one’s playing now.”

“We would like to invite everyone to come watch our girls play,” said Dalrymple. “This has been a dream for us, to have these girl’s teams, and it is finally coming true.”

For more information on the LWF Girls teams and registration for 2010 please contact Kent Pietracupa at  fiveps@accesswave.ca

“We had try-outs at Citadel High School in April or May,” said MacLean. “There was a group of about 25. We were sitting in a little circle, on the edge of our lives waiting to find out if we made the team. They were very definite and didn’t keep us waiting; they told us right there. When I found out I made it I was thrilled, really relieved.”

MacLean is a Grade 11 student at Halifax Grammar School who is in the International Baccalaureate program and on the High Honour Roll. She began playing basketball in grade four, on the Fall River Rebels mini-girls team, and has been an HGS Varsity Player since Grade 9. She was the starting point guard on the provincial bronze medal-winning team this year.

Aside from her passion for playing basketball, MacLean is involved in numerous other sports, such as soccer, tennis, cross country, and track and field. She is musically inclined as well, and plays the fiddle.  “I love the fiddle, I’ve been playing it since I was in grade two; it’s a great thing to do and has really become a part of my life.”

MacLean also volunteers as an assistant coach for the Fall River Basketball Association in the Bantam Girls Division, and at Grammar she tutors other students in Math, English, and German.

Prior to the Canada Games, this team will be travelling to Chicago, Illinois to compete in the Chicago Summer Showcase, the largest NCAA-certified and observed event in the United States for high school-aged players. In addition, the team will be participating in tournaments in Manitoba and New Brunswick throughout the summer.

There is a lot of practicing to do to get prepared. “We practice almost every weekend, six to eight hours each weekend,” said MacLean. “As it gets closer to the games we will go weekdays as well.”

In past years MacLean has represented Nova Scotia on the U14 and U15 Provincial Teams. She was co-captain on the 2007 U15 Team, and she helped the team win a bronze medal for our province at the National tournament in British Columbia. MacLean’s leadership at the point guard for her Grammar Basketball team has led her team to be consistently ranked in the top two of the Metro High School Division 1 Basketball League. She will no doubt bring that high level of commitment and competitiveness to the Canada Games this summer in PEI.

MacLean has no plans to give up her love of sports anytime soon. “I’m really interested in playing university basketball; playing in Europe would be a dream of mine,” she said. “I really want to travel, and that would be a great way to do it!”

MacLean has a good idea of her future career plans as well. “I’m interested in International Relations and maybe diplomacy. I want to travel and see everything there is to see,” she said.

The cost of sport involvement is very high, and this cost only increases at the provincial and national levels. Lewis and MacLean are busy raising funds to support their trip. “We need to raise around $2000 each to cover the costs,” said MacLean. “We did a bottle drive at Jenny’s house, and we are selling Sportscape tickets. People who buy them can win West Jet tickets to anywhere in the world West Jet fly’s.” If people would like to buy a ticket, they can call MacLean at 860-3914, or Lewis at 860-1878.

“We are also having an auction at Neighbours Pub in Dartmouth on July 11. The auction will begin at 7p.m. Cost of admission is $15. “We are trying to make this a nice event,” said MacLean.

Donations to help fund this athletic participation would also be greatly appreciated, said the girls.  Contributions will help cover costs such as air fares, accommodations, meals, gym rentals, etc.

Nova Scotia’s many talented athletes can only continue to compete and improve in their sports with the help of your generous donations. MacLean, Lewis, and the U17 Women’s Canada Games Basketball Team, thank you for your consideration of this request and any donations which may be possible at this time would be greatly appreciated.

Donations may be made payable to: Nova ScotiaU17 Women’s Provincial Basketball Team.

MacLean’s contact number is 902-860-3914 or email to peggy.maclean@gmail.com
Lewis can be reached at 860-1878.

The athletes and their families thank you for taking your time to consider this request!