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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 39 Game On Van Koeverden elected to COC athletes' council By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER REP SEASON UNDERWAY: The Minor Oaks Hockey Association dropped the puck on the 2007-08 rep season Monday at River Oaks Recreation Centre. Joining Oakville minor atom AAA Rangers player Matthew Baumann (in white) and St. Catharines Falcons opponent Daniel Singer for a ceremonial faceoff were (back row, left to right) Mike Kennedy, Helen Ford, Chris Legein, Nancy Brooks, Nathan Lafayette and Rob Zamuner. Kennedy, Lafayette and Zamuner are MOHA coach mentors, Legein is the association's head coach, Ford is in charge of scheduling and Brooks is the vice president of town rep. Knights top U14 rugby squad in Ontario Coach curious how team would stack up against rest of Canada, plans trip to England By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Judging by the scores of their games this season, there should be no debate that the Oakville Crusaders Knights are the best under-14 boys' rugby team in Ontario. Head coach Roy Amm thinks his squad might be the best in its age group in Canada, but the cost of a cross-country trip prohibits him from trying to prove it. "There's no question that we're the best team in Ontario," said Amm, whose team blanked the Nomads 32-0 in the provincial final earlier this month in Markham, capping a 13-0 season. "I wouldn't mind taking on anyone in the country. Our biggest competition would (likely) come out of British Columbia. The problem is to get there is expensive." Instead, Amm is planning a trip to England next year for members of the Crusaders' under-14 program. That's also an expensive initiative, but Amm hopes to drum up enough financial support by then to make the trip viable. "We're looking for fundraisers, corporate sponsorship," said Amm. "Quite frankly, I think it's an opportunity for Oakville companies to step up and do something for the kids." The Crusaders' youth program consists of approximately 400 players. Nearly 70 of those are in the under-14 age group, causing the Crusaders to field two teams -- the Knights and the Lancers -- this season. The Knights were comprised of the older, more-developed players, while the Lancers were seen as a development team. See Knights page 40 In a kayak, Adam van Koeverden has always worked toward driving himself and his sport forward. Now, Oakville's three-time Olympic medalist will do his part to propel Canada's Olympic movement ahead toward the 2012 Games in London. Van Koeverden was one of six athlets elected to the Canadian Olympic Committee's Athletes' Council, an advisory body designed to give athletes a voice on the COC's executive committee and board of directors. "It's a great opportunity to have our voices heard," the 26-year-old said. "Canoe/kayak is a growing, emerging sport and as we achieve more we need to be recognized and represented. But it's not just representing canoe/kayak, it's all Canadian Olympians." Joining van Koeverden on the board are rowers Iain Brambell, Adam Kreek and David Calder, swimmer Rick Say and hurdler Perdita Felicien. One of the critical issues for athletes is funding. van Koeverden said it's not so much how much money is made available to athletes but how that money is used. "We always talk about the amount. We're at the mercy of the amount because funds are limited. It's more important how we allocate those funds so that our programs are sustainable, not just now but for those competing in 2012." Van Koeverden ran for a spot on the council in 2004 but "nobody knew who this kayaker was." He changed that by winning gold and bronze medals in Athens and adding a silver medal last month in Beijing. He said he will do his best to represent the athletes and feels it is an important position because of the impact the COC's decisions can have on athletes and ulitimately, their success. "The decisions that are made are decisions that affect our lives more than anyone else," he said. "I've always thought it should be driven."