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16 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, September 8, 2011 Volunteers needed to keep league going Kinsmen softball in jeopardy of folding By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer The Kinsmen Girls' Softball League is set to host its annual Day of Champs this Saturday at the Fairgrounds, with players and volunteers hoping that it's not the last atbat for organized recreational softball in Georgetown. Late last month, the Kinsmen Club of Georgetown informed members of the league that after 50 years, the local service club could no longer organize and support the KGSL. The league's commissioner, Jim Ford, who has overseen the organization's operations for over four decades, is retiring from his duties, but a number of other factors have contributed to the KGSL's apparent disbanding. Currently, there are approximately 130 players age 5-20 in the league, divided into junior, senior and elite divisions. The Halton Hawks' rep fastpitch clubs have welcomed many KGSL graduates, while the Kinsmen Club has had difficulty recruiting volunteers to help with tasks such as umpiring and can no longer provide financial support to keep registration costs down. "We have reorganized and adjusted the age levels and divisions where possible, but we fear that the plummeting number of players will force us to put together teams or players with too big an age and skill gap, which isn't fair to the players or coaches," the Kinsmen said in a press release. "We hope to find people interested in keeping girls' SPORTS & LEISURE Raiders house league softball alive and well in Georgetown in the coming years, but unfortunately at this point it isn't feasible for us to continue. We will be more than happy to offer our advice and expertise to anyone interested in stepping up to the plate and carrying on the KGSL's legacy." Wendy Farrow-Reed, an assistant coach with a KGSL team in the junior division (ages 5-10) who played in the league as a youth, would like to see some new volunteers come forward, but also hopes that that the Kinsmen will stay involved for another season in order to help with the transition. Another option is to approach the Hawks to investigate the possibility of an amalgamation, with the house league teams serving as a feeder system for the rep clubs, something the Kinsmen had resisted in past years. "There's a lot of talk and concern amongst parents that they don't want to see the league go away. It would be heartbreaking for so many people," said Farrow-Reed. "We've talked to people who would be interested in helping out, but they're afraid it will all fall on their shoulders. I'd love to be able to commit the time myself (to be the commissioner), but I couldn't run it like Mr. Ford did. Maybe this is the right time to change things to get the enrollment up, but we're asking the Kinsmen to stay on one more year to help us through the process." She added that a meeting will likely be held in October to discuss options for next season. open up season Saturday The Brampton Capitals will serve as the opposition as the Georgetown Jr. A Raiders hit the ice for their home opener of the 2011-12 campaign this Saturday at the Alcott Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. With seven returnees from last year's squad, the Raiders are looking to break a string of being eliminated by the Oakville Blades in the Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs four years in a row. The Raiders will visit Oakville Friday, Sept. 16. Georgetown played its final pre-season game Wednesday night at home against the Milton IceHawks. The Raiders had a 2-1 exhibition record heading into that contest after a 5-4 victory in Hamilton over the Red Wings Tuesday night. No scoring information was available from Tuesday's game. Last Friday, the Raiders came back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to beat the visiting Hamilton Red Wings 8-7 in a shootout. Patrick Megannety (2), Brendan Woods (2), Caleb Apperson, Krystian Yorke and Travis Fulton scored in regulation for the hosts, with Jacob Bauchman potting the shootout winner. Rookies Konner Hughes and Jamie Thompson split the goaltending duties for Georgetown. The Raiders recently signed 19-year-old netminder Keegan Wilson, who played Jr. C in Stayner last season, but it appears the Mississauga resident has earned one of two spots on the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Battalion. Georgetown's Cristy Nurse earned a silver medal at last week's World Rowing Championships as a member of Canada's eights team and the result also qualified the squad for next year's Summer Olympics in London. Submitted photo Nurse a step closer to spot in Olympics By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Nothing's etched in stone when it comes to who'll be on Canada's rowing team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but Georgetown's Cristy Nurse appears to have an oar in the door in the final selection process. The 24-year-old Nurse helped Canada's women's eights earn a silver medal and very nearly a gold against a powerhouse American team at last week's World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia. The two boats were even with about 250 metres to the finish line before the U.S. clocked in at six minutes, 4.39 seconds, .74 seconds ahead Canada. Although finishing runnerup after leading much of the race was disappointing, Nurse said that the Canuck team is making strides to close the gap on the U.S. before the Summer Games in July. "It was a very exciting race, and although we didn't get the outcome we wanted, we are confident that we're moving in the right direction and can make some gains before the Games," Nurse said. See NURSE pg. 17 THE TIME IS NOW FOR 2012 CIVIC'S! Play the Georgetown Honda · Prizes · Special Discounts & More! e! Visit us for more details. PLINKO Challenge! + L & Lease Financing F From 0. 1000 Gas Card 99% Equivalent Discount *See dealer for details **O.A.C. * ** +$ or * www.georgetownhonda.ca *See dealer for details 316 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1818 905-874-3021 HONDA