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www.oakvillebeaver.com 32 Sports Oakville Beaver Canadian Little League PAGE 34 www.aplushomes.ca Adam Campbell Broker of Record 905-844-4444 B R O K E R A G E I N D E P E N D E N T LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008 Burloak celebrates its present, past at Olympic sendoff By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The day was set aside to recognize the four paddlers and the coach set to represent Canada at the Olympics. The Burloak Canoe Club offered up so much more, though. In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of Adam van Koeverden, Mark Oldershaw, Brady Reardon, Chris Pellini and coach Scott Oldershaw, the club delivered a history lesson in Canadian paddling by also paying tribute to former Olympians from the club and the neighbouring Mississauga Canoe Club. The club's storied tradition was on display from the moment the war canoe carrying the 17 current and former Olympians pulled up to the dock on Sixteen Mile Creek. The group that walked up the path lined by approximately 300 well-wishers had represented Canada on the biggest stage 22 times, winning five Olympic medals. "There's a really strong sense of community here," said Larry Cain, a gold medalist in 1984, as he spoke to the crowd. "It's not what you're going to get out it but the great things that come out of paddling." Community was a word that came up often Monday. In reference to the sport, that was evident with members of a rival club on hand to offer their support to Burloak's Olympians. "The national association's motto is `Through the waters to friendship,' said Dean Oldershaw, Mark Oldershaw's uncle and an Olympian in 1972 and 1976. "That shows at an event like this." The sense of community is also evident within the club. MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER BEIJING BOUND: Burloak Canoe Club's Olympic contingent,(from left, coach Scott Oldershaw, Brady Reardon, Chris Pellini, Mark Oldershaw and Adam van Koeverden), paddles up to the dock in a war canoe Monday. They were joined in the boat by 12 former Olympians, who helped celebrate their accomplishments at a public sendoff for the group. Just eight days before the Olympics were set to begin, van Koeverden, Reardon, Mark Oldershaw and Pellini were practicing with their war canoe crew in preparation for nationals, which they will compete in following the Olympics. Oldershaw arrived late to the practice because he had been coaching the club's juvenile girls' team. "You've got Olympians training alongside bantams, midgets and juveniles," Cain said. Cain said success breeds success and he's proud to see the club's tradition continue. Dean Oldershaw calls it a self-perpetuating tradition as paddlers turn into coaches, keeping the club well-stocked with talented teachers. The club's members' willingness to help out one another has also played a role. Oldershaw said that's not the case in most other sports, where different skill levels practice at different times. It removes the beginner from the role model they look up to. See Olympians page 7 FALL OUTDOOR 2008 (RIVER OAKS ALL WEATHER TURF) OCTOBER 6 ­ NOVEMBER 16­ U6 (2003) ­ U18 (1991) OCTOBER 6 ­ NOVEMBER 30 (EXTENDED SEASON) ADULT ­ LADIES/MEN OPEN (1990 -) ADULT ­ LADIES/MEN 35+ (1974 -) LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR RANGERS FC SOCCER CAMP AUGUST 11-15 @ SHELL PARK www.oakvillesoccer.ca & WINTER INDOOR 2009 ("NEW" PINE GLEN INDOOR FACILITY) JANUARY 12 ­ APRIL 12 ­ U5 (2002) ­ U18 (1991) ADULT ­ LADIES/MEN OPEN (1990 - ) ADULT ­ LADIES/MEN 35+ (1974 - ) ONLINE REGISTRATION SET TO LAUNCH! FRIDAY AUGUST 8, 2008!! @ 11:00AM FOR RETURNING OSC MEMBERS COMPLETE DETAILS & DAYS OF PLAY WITH ONLINE REGISTRATION @ www.oakvillesoccer.ca 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, ON L6H 3K4 The Oakville Beaver Sponsor: Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club