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8 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Tuesday, July 17, 2012 SPORTS & LEISURE Acton's soccer-loving Albert a poster child for Tim Hortons By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer The running joke in the Ledesma household in Acton these days is finding out where in Canada their five-year-old son, Albert Jr., will turn up next. Family and friends of the Ledesmas have been sending pictures of themselves from places like Mont Tremblant, Que. and Ontario's cottage country with Albert Jr., who is featured prominently on a Tim Hortons poster that hangs in most of the popular quickserve restaurant chain's 3,000-plus Canadian locations. The picture promoting the Timbits Soccer youth leagues can also be found in newspaper advertisements that run across Canada. "(Albert Jr.) is nuts about soccer and when they were taking the pictures for the ad, they had it set up that the kids would run for the ball and he was first to it every time. That's why he's dead centre in the pic," said proud dad Albert Sr., a sales executive with FedEx. The youngster's inclusion in the ad campaign shot happened pretty much by accident. His older sister Daniela has appeared in a couple of commercials through her representation by Carolyn's Kids, an agency for child models and actors with an studio in Mississauga. Daniela was the one who was actually auditioning for the photo shoot and Albert Jr. just tagged along for the ride. "Junior wasn't with the agency or anything and the lady who was doing the casting saw him and said, `He's cute. Do you mind if we take a picture of him?' "The next day, the agency called us and asked if we could bring our son down there again. They want him for the job." The Ledesmas were paid a fee for the initial shoot and because Tim Hortons plans to keep using the image in its marketing, Albert Jr. was recently granted a two-year extension, receiving another lump-sum payment. Besides tearing up the Acton Villa Soccer Club's under-6 recreational league, Albert Jr.'s newfound celebrity doesn't seem to have changed his priorities. When asked to choose between a career in modeling or soccer, there was little hesitation in Albert Jr.'s answer. "I love soccer," he exclaimed. Five-year-old Albert Ledesma of Acton is front and centre in a poster and nationwide newspaper advertisement for Tim Hortons restaurants and Timbits Soccer. In the poster at right, Ledesma is second from right, wearing a blue jersey. Photo by Eamonn Maher Spencer reaches semis of junior event in Cinci Club at North Halton member Samantha Spencer reached the semifinals of the World Women's Golf Association's 86th National Junior Championship last week in Cincinnati, Ohio before bowing out to the eventual champion from Thailand. The 16-year-old Georgetown South resident was seeded 27th out of 32 competitors for the match play segment of the tournament after rounds of 81-75 in stroke play qualifying. She reeled off three straight wins by scores of 5&4, 5&4 and 1 up to make the final four, then came up against 12-year-old Chakansim Khamborn of Thailand, who prevailed by a score of 7&5 thanks to birdies on five of her last seven holes. Spencer will compete in this week's Golf Association of Ontario Women's Amateur Championship at the Loyalist Country Club near Kingston. ··· North Halton's Mary Ann Hayward lost in the semifinals of match play at the Toronto Star Women's Amateur Championship to 2012 winner Robyn Doig of Seaforth at the tournament held at the Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill. Ranked ninth for match play after rounds of 79-74 in stroke play, the Aurora resident fell 5&4 to Doig in the semis. SAMANTHA SPENCER your source for FREE coupons NEW! Now you can PRINT coupons at home 2013 2009 GBA GBA Registration SEASON COACHING APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Georgetown Baseball is now accepting Rep-Eagles/Select coaching applications for the This year registration will 2013 season. take place online only at: Please go to www.georgetownbaseball.ca www.georgetownbaseball.ca to complete and submit your application. Print your Buitoni® Coupon NOW! Quite possibly the best pizza ever! For exclusive offers: facebook.com/savedotca a division of For further information contact For further information contact the office the office 905-877-3748 905-877-3748 or info@georgetownbaseball.ca GEORGETOWN BASEBALL ASSOCIATION