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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010 23 Young female ref ready to order around the big boys and I will have to make sure that I don't get pushed around on the field just because I'm small. "Not physically, just that I don't Danielle Spice may be just a 16shrink away from my call even if year-old student at Oakville Trafalgar High School, but she has some big guy yells at me." Joyce Henry -- one of few no problem ordering around burly women currently refereeing on the men. The youngest person ever circuit -- says Spice's age will be recruited by the Ontario Rugby the biggest hurdle she will face as Referees Society (ORRS) to partic- she works to gain the respect of the ipate in an innovative new Ontario players. "In the long run, it could be an referee focus group, Spice -- who advantage for her, but in the short also plays on the under-16 Ontario women's team -- caught the eye of run she may face some challenges scouts as someone with enough of credibility potentially because confidence to control 30 rampag- people will see her as young," said Henry, who has been officiating for ing players. "She has a very level head on eight years. "There is a certain her shoulders and I think she is challenge being a female ref." Hall echoed Henry's concerns mature beyond her years," said but remains confiAndrew Hall, developdent that in the end, ment manager for "I will have to Spice's age will not be Rugby Ontario. "I make sure that I a factor. have not seen her ref- don't get pushed He said the eree much, but the around on the Ontario scholar has people who have seen good knowledge and her, people whose field, just because understanding of the opinions I respect, say I'm small... that I sport, which will prothat she already has don't shrink away vide her with a strong the key basic skills of from my call even foundation to build being able to manage if some big guy on. in rugby." yells at me." "A lot of people The Grade 11 stuthat see her show up dent has been playing for a game of rugby rugby since Grade 7, n Danielle Spice for refereeing will see when a classmate cona 16-year-old," Hall pointed out. "It vinced her to join the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club. In July, she will be her challenge that, when was invited to join the Ontario U16 she gets on the paddock, to turn that around by just refereeing to squad. At five-foot-four, Spice is small her best abilities, proving that age standing alongside the seasoned is not a problem." For the moment, Spice has the players she will be refereeing. She best of both worlds playing and refis fully aware of the unique challenges young age and size will ereeing rugby. As a player, Spice is aware of the present for her on the field. small tricks some players try to get "My biggest challenge will not to be intimidated," stated the self- away with to gain an advantage. As assured Spice. "The fact that, one, she progresses, Spice will develop a I'm so much younger, and two, I'm sense of when to make the tough calls and when to issue warnings. so much smaller. By being fair but firm, players "For me they are just really big will learn that her age is not a facguys and they are really loud. "I will have to step up to the tor. See Ref page 25 plate and be really authoritative By Christy Dan SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER MICHELLE SIU / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Sixteen-year-old Danielle Spice is the youngest person ever recruited by the Ontario Rugby Referees Society. The Oakville Trafalgar student is also a member of the Ontario under-16 rugby team. Soccer team strikes gold at nationals The Special Olympics National Games were an extra-special competition for the Oakville Strikers. The Strikers went undefeated in their five soccer games at the Games in London last week to win the gold medal. Oakville clinched the championship with a 4-3 win over Manitoba, the most difficult team the Strikers faced at nationals. Michael Summers scored a pair of goals and Matthew Duff-Tytler and David McGraw added singles to give Oakville a 4-1 lead at halftime, and the Strikers survived two second-half goals by Manitoba to hold on for the win. Oakville and Manitoba battled to a 2-2 draw in their other meeting during the tournament, the first game of the competition for both teams. Daniel McGaw scored twice in the first half of that contest, but Manitoba rallied for a pair in the second half. The strong play of Oakville defenders Tommy Hindrichs, Bill Hickson and Duff-Tytler, along with goalkeeper Summers, ensured that the Strikers earned at least a point in that contest. Oakville bounced back in its next three games, winning all three by a combined score of 23-0. The Strikers walloped Newfoundland 9-0, blanked Saskatchewan 8-0 and then routed Newfoundland again, 6-0 in the semifinals. Melissa Reid had a hat trick in one of those contests. Tom Hartsell, Greg Fielding, Hickson, Hindrichs, Duff-Tytler, McGaw and Summers also contributed goals in the lopsided wins. Marie "Mighty Mouse" Schrader lived up to her nickname with her hard work and intensity. Greg Fielding earned the three shutouts in goal despite playing with an injured hand. A.J. Schamerhorn was unable to play for the Strikers during the tournament but was an inspiration to the team throughout. He came to watch the gold-medal game and cheer his team on to the championship. The Strikers are coached by Rob Kelley, Kathryn Kelley and Laura Lorenz.