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» ) The Canadian Slatcsman, Bowmanvillc, July 8, 1998 Page 13 ROLLING THROUGH - Former NHL'er Sheldon Kennedy made a stop at Don Cherry's in Courtice on Saturday during his cross-Canada trek on rollerblades. He is raising money to help build a ranch in Alberta for kids who have been sexually abused. Cross-Canada Trek Makes Stop in Courtice Sheldon Kennedy Keeps Rolling In Fight Against Sexual Abuse by Jennifer Stone Staff Writer Sheldon Kennedy is on the road to healing. The former NHL-cr is in the midst of an 8,000 kilometre kilometre rollerblading odyssey, which will lake him from St. John's Nfld., to British Columbia. He's raising money to build a ranch for people who, like Kennedy, have been victims of child abuse. Kennedy made a stop at Don Cherry's in Courtice on Saturday. Kennedy rocked the sports world in early 1997 when he revealed six years of sexual abuse at the hands of his former junior hockey coach, Graham James. The abuse had stared when Kennedy was just 14 years old, while playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. James was subsequently sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Kennedy said he had to do something to help heal himself. "I wanted to feel better myself. I definitely wasn't the father I wanted to be, or the husband, and I had something something I needed to do to cure myself. It turned out that it helped a ton of other people," Kennedy said on Saturday. He said he realized something more had to be done for victims while at home, recuperating from the broken leg that ended his NHL career. Watching television, he heard about millions of dollars being poured into the space program. He said he wondered why that kind of money wasn't being spent on kids. That's when he came up with the idea for the Anaphe Ranch, a 640-acre tract of property south of Banff for victims of abuse. "(I want to) give kids a surrounding, an atmosphere where it's a little serene, and give them an opportunity to be themselves again," he said. "People need to be relaxed. They need to be in situations situations where they can work on what they need to deal with. It's not like I'm skating across Canada to invent a pill. I'm just giving kids an opportunity to be kids," Kennedy added. Don Cherry's owner, and Kennedy's former national team coach, Sherry Bassin, says raising money for the ranch is really secondary to the more important issue of child abuse. "Whatever amount of money he raises is very important, important, because we're helping a cause. But he's also telling you don't you dare ever tolerate abuse," Bassin told supporters supporters gathered for Kennedy's arrival in Courtice. So far, the money is rolling in. Kennedy says they set a goal when they left the Maritimes to raise $50,000 by the lime they reached Ottawa. By the time they reached the nation's capital, almost six times that much had been donated. Over the next two years, he hopes to raise $15 million. Donations can be made by calling 1-877-426-2743, or by accessing the Sheldon Kennedy Foundation website at www.anaphc.com. Closer to home, donations are being accepted at any Don Cherry's restaurant, including the Courtice location at Highway Two and Townline. For more information, call 436-7171. Kennedy said he's just trying to give people who have suffered abuse the opportunity to heal. "When a child is born, they're given the opportunity to love and trust. When that's stolen from them, it makes life very difficult. That's really what we want to try to offer," he said. "It's not like I'm skating across Canada to invent a pill." Eagles Hand Out Hardware The Bowmanvillc Eagles officially closed out their 1997-98 hockey season on Friday, June 26, with their annual awards banquet. The following are the awards presented, and the respective winners. Durham Regional Police (MVP) -- Adam Armstrong Bob Beers Memorial (Most Improved) -- Brett Pakosta Devitt Trophy (Dedication, loyalty, leadership)-- leadership)-- Jay Cannings President's Trophy (Leading Scorer) -- Adam 1 ! i Coaches Wanted \ ; 1 î Newcastle Village Minor Hockey Association Inc. is looking for Coaches for all levels If you are interested in Coaching Rep or House League Hockey Please Contact Graham Brogan (Rep) 987-4540 Ron Turner (House League) 438-0589 for more information Deadline for Submission is July 15th, 1998 Limited player openings for all levels For more information on registering your child please contact Bob Holmes 987-7219 or Herman Valckx 786-2115 £ cgcccccccccccccocccccccoccc ♦ U • HOCKEY SKILLS ^ \oV e • POWER SKATING \\OC]<£/j BODY contact • GOALTENDING Full Day Camps/Evening Sessions Spaces Still Available for Summer and Fall Programs Newcastle Village Arena "The School that makes the difference" For brochure please call (905) 983-9994 Armstrong Sponsor's Trophy (Best defenceman) -- Mike Davies Jack Gibb's Memorial (Most dedicated) -- Shane Norton Lome Haynes Memorial (Rookie of year) -- Shane Norton Mike Puk Family Trophy (Most sportsmanlike) sportsmanlike) -- Jay Cannings Pat Marshall Memorial (Fan favourite) -- Ryan Jackman Hooper's Trophy (Most valueable in playoffs) -- Jason Wakely Laing, McHardy & Rohr TVophy (Most underrated) underrated) -- Brett Pakosta William David's Foods Trophy (Best defensive player) -- Steve Blais Slo Pitch The fifth annual Oldtimer's Service Club league slo-pitch tournament for Cystic Fibrosis is back again. The fundraiser will be held in the Bowmanville area on August 1-2. The entry fee per team is $150, plus two new balls. There will be two divisions: men's recreational, and co-ed recreational. There will be a round robin format, and Labatt's awards. For more information, call Bob Engley at 697- 0439. Hams Lose Despite a tremendous team effort, Black Forest Hams came up short and were defeated by Thunder by a score of 5-2, Justin Campbell and Eric Fcgan both connected with a goal each for the Hams. Eric Fcgan and Fiona Higgins shared the goal- tending duties. EGHHEia SAVE UP TO $ 300°° Towards Deductible on Insurance Windshield Claims Plus... I ONE FREE GAS BARBECUE i ^Somo noslrictlons Apply. Explros^Ju lyjjOth,,, 11098^ J EKIfrRI flutoGlo// 1 -800-658-3904 12 Temperance St., Bowmanville 623-8451 .Lia Playoffs Begin Friday Night at Rec Complex Green Gaels Face Akwesasne In Jr. B Lacrosse Series Opener bÿ 6rad Kelly Staff Writer A split in their final two regular season games has secured the Clarington Green Gaels a date with Akwesasne in the opening round of the Jr. B Eastern Conference lacrosse playoffs. By virtue of their second place finish in, the division, division, the Green Gaels will host the opening two games of the best-of-five, conference semi-final series. Game one will be on Friday night at 8:30 p.m., with the second second game on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be played at the Recreation Complex. Games three and four (if necessary) of the series will be in Akwesasne. Game three is Friday, July 17, and if a fourth game is needed, it will be played on Saturday, July 18. If the series is extended to a fifth and deciding game, it will be played at the Recreation Complex on Sunday, July 19, at 4:00 p.m. In the two games that Clarington and Akwesasne played during the regular season, each team managed a victory, In both cases, the margin of victory was only a single goal. 1 Green Gaels coach Kevin O'Brien says that Akwesasne is a high scoring team who play a reckless style, but their shooters are undisciplined, which could be to his team's advantage. "We have system that we are going to stick to, and hopefully it will pay off," said O'Brien as he previewed previewed the series. "No matter who you play in the playoffs, you have to beat them to be champions. For us to be champions, first we have to beat Akwesasne." The winner will advance to the conference final and face either Nepean or Scarborough, who are battling battling in the other semi-final series. This past weekend, the Green Gaels split their final two games to finish in second place with a record of 15-5. On Saturday they won in Gloucester by a 14-5 score, but lost the battle for first place on Sunday, dropping a 12-7 decision in Nepean. Last year, after eliminating Scarborough in the opening round, the Green Gaels were bounced in the semi-finals by Six Nations in the seventh and deciding game of the series. 0 MOSPFRT \Speedway mmmBm SalurtayNMitRacW MOSPFRT 'peedway m SÜIILE OIIÜÜL MS im.lL INCLUDING KING of the HILL - SPECTATOR RACING TiMUNDE;RTG?A 1 RS Admission: Adults $11.00 Students $8.00 12 and under Free WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO THE 1999 DAYTONA 500 ^ Deluxe package includes: Race day tickets, Pit passes, Admission to Winston Cup drivers meeting Air Fare and Accomodations (Details at the track) Further Information: (908) 983-9141 or www.moaportcannda.com