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Sports Oakville Beaver 31 · Friday, November 23, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com SPORTS EDITOR:JONKUIPERIJ Phone 905-632-0588 (ext. 294) email sports@oakvillebeaver.com Current teacher sanctions won't affect winter sports seasons The current sanctions being imposed by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation won't affect the winter high school sports season for Halton students, according to a Halton District School Board spokesperson. Debra McFadden, executive officer of human resources for the HDSB and chief negotiator in board bargaining sessions with local OSTTF units, said Wednesday that unless sanctions escalate, no games will be postponed or cancelled as a result of OSSTF directives. "We haven't seen any cancellation of any of our sports so far," said McFadden, "and I haven't heard there will be any impact (on the winter season)." The main sports contested during the the winter high school season include boys' basketball, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' hockey, competitive wrestling and swimming. In response to the recent passing of Bill 115, which imposed wage freezes and curbed the ability of teachers to strike, OSSTF sanctions announced last week required that public high school teachers cease to accept supervisory assignments outside of regular classroom duties. The federation has reportedly also asked teachers not to cover classes for other teachers, which would affect teachers who coach teams during school hours. McFadden said the HDSB has addressed that issue by hiring supply teachers to fill in for coaches when necessary. "What we've done in Halton is we've said to send a minimum number of coaches that you need to ensure the safety of students," McFadden said. "In the past, maybe more coaches might have gone, but we have not impeded the running of sports." One visible impact of the current sanctions was the lack of student fan buses for Halton football championship games at McMaster University. Students had to find their own ways to the games while former teachers were hired to supervise the crowds. "Usually, there'd be a buy-out (from class)," said White Oaks Grade 12 student Tijana Radman, who attended the Wildcats' Tier 3 senior final against Aldershot Monday along with Alena Alexandra and approximately 50 other White Oaks students. "If people had tests and stuff, they couldn't be excused because there were no buyouts. It's a disappointment. (The crowd) could have been a lot bigger." McFadden said the board has scheduled meetings with OSTTF units in the near future. "These sanctions are impacting our students, but we're doing the best we can. For the most part, we haven't impacted extra-curricular activities," she said. "I remain cautiously optimistic we will be able to reach a settlement." -- Jon Kuiperij ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @HALTON_PHOTOG HEADING SOUTH: Pictured from left to right, Oakville Gymnastics Club members Mikaela Gerber (UCLA), Cory Paterson (Iowa) and Bianca Jordaan (Eastern Michigan) all signed their NCAA letters of intent last week. Fellow OGC athlete Silvia Colussi-Pelaez committed to the University of Florida last week as well. Four OGC products commit to NCAA schools Gymnastics is not an (overly popular) sport in the U.S. Not every school offers it." The Oakville Gymnastics Club has Alexandra Barac, co-head coach of the had members receive NCAA scholarships OGC's women's competitive program, before, but never anything like this. agreed that this year's NCAA crop is a Four OGC products -- Bianca rarity. Jordaan, Mikaela Gerber, "It takes time to Silvia Colussi-Pelaez and "It takes time to build build up a team that has Cory Paterson, all age 17 up a team that has that that potential," she said. -- signed their NCAA let"But if you have a very potential... You can call ters of intent last week at good leader, good coachthe club. Jordaan is bound it a freak year. Hopefully, ing, a good facility and for Eastern Michigan it will happen again." lots of support from University, Gerber is comfamily, that can make it mitted to UCLA, Colussi- Alexandra Barac, co-head happen. You can call it a Pelaez will attend the coach of Oakville Gymnastics freak year. Hopefully, it University of Florida and Club's womens's competitive will happen again." Paterson will be headed program Jordaan, an Oakville to the University of Iowa. resident, quickly pro"We've had one before go to (Louisiana gressed from a Level 9 competitor to an State), two to Eastern Michigan, another elite senior high-performance athlete. to UCLA and one to Penn State, but this Last year, she won gold on vault and is by far the largest class going (in one bronze on beam at the Canadian nationyear)," said OGC general manager Wayne al championships. Hussey. "It doesn't happen very often. Despite a demanding training schedBy Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR ule of approximately 30 hours a week, Jordaan has maintained a high gradepoint average at Abbey Park High School and is also known for her bubbly personality. "She's a character," Barac said. "Most gymnasts are very shy and quiet and just work, work, work and do their thing and go home. She puts smiles on girls' faces and makes jokes and keeps the atmosphere very light." Gerber, who resides in Cambridge, overcame a number of injuries in the last few years to make the Canadian senior high-performance team. Last year, she tied a record for most medals earned (five) at the Canada Winter Games and won a pair of silver medals at the senior Pan Am Games. In 2010, she was the Elite Canada senior floor champion. "She's a very disciplined kid," Barac said. "There were bumps in the road, several injuries, but she was able to overcome them and keep pushing through." Colussi-Pelaez has both Canadian and See Colussi-Pelaez, page 32