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32 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 Olympic hopeful visits Wildwood sports camp Reid Coolsaet gives youngsters running tips By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF When it comes time to ask questions of the world-class athlete in front of them, the two dozen sports campers are easily distracted by Freezies at the end of a hot summer day. In that regard, the kids at the Fitness and Team Building Camp at Wildwood Academy are no different than their peers at other schools. But for these kids, ages seven to 13, the camp is a rare opportunity to learn about a variety of sports they might otherwise not get to participate in. "Being a smaller school, it's hard to have extra curriculars going on," said Paul Casey, a teacher at Wildwood Academy, a school of about 60 students who require help "We just hope to with conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder give them the or autism. "They just don't get the chance to try basic skills and, sports that most other schools would offer." And they don't often get the opportunity to hopefully, the challenge a Canadian champion to a race. So confidence." when a camper asks Reid Coolsaet if he'll run for them, it quickly turns into an impromtu race, Wildwood teacher JON CURRIE / OAKVILLE BEAVER with students quickly looking for someone to Paul Casey COOL RUNNING: Canadian 5,000-metre running champion and Olympic hopeful Reid Coolsaet watches youngsters hold their Freezie while they challenge the fourrun by him Monday during Wildwood Academy's Fitness and Team Building Camp. time national 5,000-metre champ to a dash across the school playground. Coolsaet, a former high school classmate of Casey's, was at the camp Monday to teach the kids how to prepare and stretch and then give them some pointers on running. Coolsaet said it was a good starting point for the If you plan to attend the Oakville Buzz's first home to get on runs. If we can eliminate their runs and keep camp because running forms the foundation of so many other sports. And, the 29-year-old said, it is widely accessible. game of the playoffs this weekend, don't expect to see a the game close, we'll have a good chance to win. "It doesn't take a lot of equipment to run. You can do it any time you lot of goals. "What's going to help us is we've played them three The Buzz (12-8) will face the Six Nations Rebels (13- times this year, so we know what they're about. It will be want -- you can't go out and play hockey whenever you want," he said. 6-1) in the opening round of the Ontario Lacrosse a tough series to win, but if we play at our best, we can "And you can do it for years and years and years." And despite the individual nature of the sport, running also helps introAssociation junior B playoffs, a best-of-five series that beat them." begins tomorrow (Friday) in Six Nations and moves to To do so, Oakville will likely need some top-notch duce one of the main goals of the camp: team building. "Cross country is a very team-oriented sport," Coolsaet said. "Your Oakville Sunday for Game 2. goaltending from its rookie tandem of Davide Diruscio The series has the potential of being a tight-checking, and Tyler Glebe. The Buzz lost veteran starter Cam scores add up for a team score. You also have your own goals as well as the low-scoring affair. Six Nations led the Western Watts to its junior A affiliate, the Burlington Chiefs, ear- team's." On the white board in the gymnasium are four large letters -- TEAM, Conference in goals against during the regular season, lier this month. allowing only 102 in its 20 games, while the Buzz ranked Gillies isn't sure who will get the bulk of the playing Together Everyone Achieves More. Monday, Casey and the camp's other organizer, Mike Packowski, used relay as an example of athletes working third with 116 against. time in goal. Then again, the teams combined for 18 goals in their "It's not ideal," he admitted, "but they've both played together. That will set up the rest of the week, when they cover sports such most recent meeting, an 11-7 Rebels triumph last week- (well). Davide played well Sunday (in a season-ending 5- as soccer, baseball, ball hockey, volleyball and badminton. Though Packowski said a few students at the camp compete in sports end. And Six Nations, the two-time defending Canadian 3 win over Hamilton) and Tyler's played pretty steady outside of school, many of them lack the confidence to get involved in a champion, isn't just a defensive-minded team. The when he's come in. We're confident either way." Rebels scored 171 times in regular-season play, a total Sunday's contest against Hamilton was the Buzz team setting. "They're afraid to join because they don't know anyone," he said. "But that ranked second in the conference. debut for attacker J.A. McDougall, who scored the first everyone's in the same boat. They can fit in and become part of a team. We two of Oakville's five goals. Rebels won first three showdowns "He fit right in. He hadn't played at all this year, so just hope to give them the basic skills and hopefully the confidence." Both Packowski and Casey believe being a part of a team can in turn Six Nations has been victorious in all three games I wasn't sure how rusty he would be, but he looked like against the Buzz so far this year, posting 9-8 and 5-2 vic- he was pretty close to regular-season form," Gillies help improve social skills. Casey said Coolsaet delivered another important message to the kids. He said. tories at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre. Dylan Gilbert, Eric Crepinsek and Connor Gamble told them of the injury suffered during training that prevented him qualifyHowever, Buzz head coach Ken Gillies believes his team can beat the Rebels if it can stay within striking dis- also scored for Oakville Sunday. Gamble and Spencer ing for the Olympics. Coolsaet came back from the injury, a pinched nerve "That teaches them about perseverance and setting goals," Casey said. tance until the final minutes. Oakville trailed the Rebels Gallant each recorded hat tricks in Friday's loss, with "That's something that can help them, even in school." 5-3 early in the third period Friday before the Rebels Jamie Elliott also tallying. Casey and Packowski plan to make the camp an annual event. Though broke the game open with five consecutive markers. After this weekend's first two games, the Buzz and this year's camp is made up of kids from Wildwood, it is open to all students "The key with Six Nations is being able to play with Rebels will resume their series July 3 in Six Nations. them for three periods," he said. "They seem to be able -- Jon Kuiperij with learning differences. Buzz bracing for tough first-round test