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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, March 10, 1999 Section Two Page 3 All-Ontario Bound Congratulations arc extended to the Newcastle Novice Stars hockey team who have qualified for the All-Ontario Championships. They swept Douro in three straight games in the semis, and are now awaiting to see who their opponents will be in the final scries. International Hockey The Bowmanvillc Eagles will be hosting an international hockey game on Tuesday, March 23, at the Rcc. Complex. Bowmanvillc will combine with Cobourg and Ajax to ice a team of top OHL prospects to play against an under-17 team from Hvczda, Prauguc. Game time is 7:00 p.m. by Jennifer Stone People Who Throw Stones... I spent last week recuperating recuperating from aches and pains caused by curling in a bonspicl, and wondering about something. For the life of me, I can't figure out why there's no curling curling club in Clarington. I'm relatively new to the area, but those in the know say it's not been long since this municipality did boast a curling rink. No one can remember quite when the club ceased to exist -- all they're sure of is that it's not here anymore. The knowledge that there used to be a curling club leads me to believe there's an appropriate facility available. available. What's more, there must be a set of rocks lying around. Rocks arc the expensive part of a curling club. When the club in my former home town of Ennismorc was built 25 years ago, rocks were about $1,000 a pair. Multiply that by the minimum of 32 pairs you need for a four-sheet surface, and you're talking about a relatively large amount of money. Back home, they came up with a number of ways to raise money to build the club and purchase the stones. First, they sold lifetime memberships -- the membership entitled people to slightly lower annual dues for the rest of their lives. Secondly, they appealed to the Ontario Lottery Corporation for one-time funding for building expenses. Then, they worked out a deal for some funding with the municipality, so during the summer months, the township is able to rent out the space for events. The facility is actually called the "Ennismorc Curling Club and Multi-Use Building." By those means, and others, they were able to build a beautiful club which has played host to many well-known curlers from across Canada. There must be curlers in this area -- the sport has grown significantly in popularity since I began playing 18 years ago. It's even gained status as an Olympic event. I'm hearing grumblings that, with the newly-acquired medal status, even Americans are starting to lake the game seriously. Since I took up the sport, they've introduced numerous ways to get people involved at a younger age. In Ennismorc, students started curling, as part of phys. ed class, in Grade 5 with the regular 40-pound granite rocks. And beginning at about 12 years of age, kids could participate participate in a junior program offered through the club, which included lessons from Curl Canada instructors. But, since then, the sport has evolved further. Children as young as four years of age can play Using "Little Rocks," lighter versions of the adult-sizcd stones. In doing so, the game has opened itself up to a lot more people. It's one of a very few sports that a person can take up as a pre-schooler and continue well into retirement. One simply has to adjust their style to the changing abilities abilities of their body. Another appealing aspect of the game is how relatively relatively inexpensive it is. Fees, annually, depend on where you curl -- but they'd be comparable to just about any other onc-night-a-wcek activity you'd participate in. And, as far as equipment goes, all you really need is a clean pair of running shoes and some warm clothes. If you want to be a little more sophisticated, purchasing purchasing all the other equipment is an option. Owning your own broom is a good idea -- they last quite some time. And I've had the same pair of curling shoes for the past 14 years -- they're now in desperate need of replacement, replacement, but they've held up nicely. I'd buy a new pair, but why? It's not like I can curl around here. I suppose I could drive to Oshawa or Port Hope to curl. If I were really desperate, I could even head up the 115 to Ennismorc. But, I still wonder why there's no curling club in Clarington. Serving a Tour of Duly With Brampton Battalion Hampton's Richard Kearns is in His Rookie Season in the OHL by Brad Kelly Staff Writer It's a common theory in the Ontario Hockey League that rookies are expected to sit, watch and learn during their first tour of duty. But that notion doesn't necessarily apply to the Brampton Battalion, an expansion team whose lineup is dominated by 20 rookies. And, because of those numbers, it has translated into more ice time for first-year players looking to prove themselves. themselves. "There have been a lot of games this season when we've had the lead / but because of a lack of experience / we haven't been able to come out on top." Richard Kearns One of the benefactors of the situation has been Richard Kearns, a Hampton resident who was selected by the Battalion in the seventh round of last year's draft. Though relegated to the fourth line on many nights, he has been in the lineup for all but a handful of the team's games. And the experience he is gaining gaining may translate into a more prominent role on the hockey club in the next couple of years. "He (coach Stan Butler) has been very patient with me as far as my development," said Kearns, a well-spoken 18- ycar-old. "(Butler) has given me a lot of opportunities opportunities to play and prove myself in different situations." situations." In 54 games this season, season, Kearns has scored one goal (against Ottawa), added three assists, and collected 27 minutes in penalties. As one of the top scorers with the Central Ontario Wolves Midget hockey club last season, the 6'6", 200 pound, left winger admits that he is a little disappointed disappointed with his offensive totals in his rookie campaign. campaign. But this season is different. He has been asked to fill the role of a checking forward and use his size to give the team a lift. "He's getting better all the time," said Stan Butler, the director of hockey operations and head coach for Brampton. Butler credited Kearns' strong work ethic both in practice and in the weight room, while closely monitoring monitoring his ice time in games. "You have to play the young guys enough that they develop, but not too much that they lose their confidence," said Butler. Iiv the overall league picture, it has been a struggle for Brampton to come out on the winning side most nights. With only eight wins and three ties, losing has been a common theme for the young club. But, com- OHL ROOKIE - Hampton's Richard Kearns played a."home game" of sorts on Friday night, when his Brampton Battalion travelled to the Civic Auditorium in Oshawa for an Ontario Hockey League regular season game against the Oshawa Generals. In his rookie'season with the expansion club, he scored his first career OHL goal against the Ottawa 67's. After playing last season with the Central Ontario Wolves 'AAA' Midget team, Kearns was selected in the seventh round of the OHL draft. pared to their expansion counterparts, the Mississauga Ice Dogs, Brampton have a far better better record. And most of the talk around the dressing room of the Battalion focuses on next season. They have set a league record with six rookies with 15 or more goals this season. And four of the top ten rookie scorers in the league are with Brampton. Those statistics should translate into a huge difference difference when the team opens training camp for year two. "There have been a lot of games this season when we've had the lead, but because of a lack of experience, experience, we haven't been able to come out on top," said Kearns of the frustrating frustrating losses. But, as the case with à 3-2 loss last Friday night in Oshawa, it's the positives positives that the team has to take from each game that will make a difference in- the long run. "Last time we played Oshawa, we lost 9-1, so to lose by only one goal tonight (Friday), we have to look at that as an improvement," said Kearns. Letter to the Editor Dear Editor As chairperson chairperson of the Hockey Parent's Group for the Clarington Minor Hockey Association, I would like to advise you that if it wasn't for Rogers Cable TV, we would not have been able to televise the Toronto Maple Leaf closing at our dance on February 13. When we realized realized the Garnet B. Rickard Complex was not equipped with cable, it was only six weeks prior to the dance. It was at that time that I approached Cindy Ward, who has a son playing in the organiza tion and works for Rogers Cable TV. Cindy, Glen Thompson, and Earl Dusek, were very instrumental in making it all happen. Thank you Cindy, Glen Not everyone who sells insurance is an insurance specialist. •tY OjIIeX œ -T" I hese I Whi I I ■t lose clays, you can dial up an insurance policy. While that may suit some people, most prefer to deal with a specialist. An independent broker can show you the best way to achieve your goals. Our role is to study and understand the vast variety of choices that arc out there, and to help you cut through the clutter. You can count on us as your needs change, or when you have to make a claim. Nohody does insurance better! Talk to us about home, automobile, tcnant/condominium, seasonal property, home business, commercial and rental property insurance. James Insurance Broker Limited 26 King St, 1C., Bowmanvillc 623-4406 Stotcr Harvey Insurance Brokers Limited 2278 llwy, 112, Bowmanvillc 623-5300 mm tUawanesa -JL- Insurance w t Clarington Girls Slo-Pitch Association Open Registration Sat. and Sun., March 27-28 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fee: $95.00* ('includes $20.00 refundable fund-raising fee) * includes jersey, picture, tournament and awards night 116 King St. W., Unit 1B, Vanstone Mill, Bowmanville For further information, call 623-7840 ©j.p. and Earl. The Hockey Parent's Group worked frantically frantically with the Town of Clarington and Rogers Cable TV to have the cable installed in the Complex. After several phone calls and down to the week before the dance, Rogers Cable TV saved the day. Thank you to Rogers Cable TV and all the people who played a part in making our dance a success. Sincerely, Nick Van Seggelen Chairperson Hockey Parent's Group Clarington Minor Hockey Clarington Boys Slo-Pitch 1999 Registration at the BOWMANVILLE MALL Saturday, March 13 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Friday, March 26 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Clarington Boys Slo-Pitch Association offers organized baseball during the summer for boys 7 to 18 years old. In Slo-Pitch the pitcher must throw the ball In an arc which is between 6 and 12 feet off the ground. All players are in the batting lineup and all players take their turn In the field. Everyone has fun! 1999 Registration Fees = $70.00 The registration fee includes a team T-Shirt, Photos, Tournament and Picnic at the end of the season. m Have you got an interesting hobby? Are you a collector? Do you make interesting items that might be of interest to the general public? If you are interested in being a part of the Maple Festival, on Sat., May 1 st please call Lori Allin of Cactus Clothing at 623-4317.