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DPN P-- S-- 16- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 11, 1997 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" - SProrTs HEATHER McCRAE / PORT PERRY STAR When the Scugog Soccer Association started in 1978 there were 12 chil- drens' teams registered. Since then the sport has grown immeasurably. This year aimost 8G0 children and adults will be playing on over 55 teams. (L-R) are Teresa McGuiness (sponsorship chairperson), Nora Heffering, a member of the Panthers senior ladies' team and Colin Dodd, coach. ST. PATRICK'S LONG WEEKEND MARCH 14 - 17 [Enter to Win a Trip for 2 to Ireland Live Entertainment . Friday & Saturday ~ "Mirror Mirror" 4 Monday ~ "George Cash" _" GREAT BLUE HERON "= CHARITABLE CASINO & BINGO LOCATED NEAR PORT PERRY, ONTARIO 1-888-29-HERON OR 905-985-4888 License Number BOOOOO 1. COO0001, MOOOOON Baaqwating Community Association Getting their kicks Soccer leagues booming as young and old take to pitches By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star Soccer has grown in great leaps and bounds in Scugog over the years. But this year will be the busiest ever, for children and adults. For 19 years soccer has been a regular sport in Scugog. After starting up in 1978 with 12 children's teams, this year the Scugog Soccer Association will field more than 55 squads. Two boys teams -- Boys 11 and Under and Boys 13 and Under -- won the Durham Cup, Tier One division last year. Advancing further this year, the soccer organization is currently recruit- ing 12 and 14-year-old boys who are interested in playing competitive soccer, with the intention of moving up to the Central League in 1998. This will be the first time a boy's team from Scugog has been in the Central League. While it will be a first time effort for a boy's team, a girl's team, 17 and Under, 1s already registered in the Central Girl's League. Any girls interested in trying out for the rep team can contact coach Mike Coxon at 985-0054. "We've always been a recreational based club, and that's still our strength, but we're making our first strides into - the competitive side of the sport," Roy Cowling, Scugog Soccer Association president says. The Senior program saw a lot of growth last year, which included senior men's and ladies teams. Another senior ladies team, playing out of Lindsay, was associated with the local soccer organi- zation. The men's senior team will begin its fourth season soon in the Darlington Senior League, the oldest league in North America. While the ages range from 18 to 40 years, the average age is about 27. The ladies senior team -- the Panthers, sponsored by the Port Perry Star -- is part of the Durham Seniors Open League, with teams from Pickering to Port Hope. Currently in its third year, the Panthers consist of women ranging in age from 20 to their mid 30s. Nora Heffering, a mother of two young children, is already registered for her second year. Having played high school and college soccer in the U.S., she's still hooked on the sport. "It was an opportunity to get back into a sport I like to play," she says. The SSA also hopes to implement a co-ed Senior Recreational league this year, too. "If you want to have fun, and enjoy fitness, maybe this is the sport for you," Mr. Cowling says. This season will also see the imple- mentation of a men's squad joining the Motor City Soccer League. An open, competitive league within the boundary of Trenton west to Scarboro, the majority of its teams are based out of Oshawa. Players from the Brock Blizzard team have teamed up with Scugog players to form the North Durham squad, to play in league. "The Motor City Soccer League is probably one of the top leagues in the province," says SSA convenor Mark Cole. Soccer is Canada's leading participa- tion sport; hockey ranks second, accord- ing to Soccer News, a national soccer newspaper. Probably a good reason for that is the low cost of playing. "It's an inexpensive sport that allows you to compete against your friends, yet still have fun," Mr. Cowling says. Equipment is also afford- able. While uniforms are supplied through sponsors, shoes and shin guards begin at $20, adding up as skills are developed. Watch the Port Perry Star for details about a second sign-up on March 29. If you are unable to register then, players can currently sign up at Pineridge Sports, but March 31 is the registration deadline. For further information about regis- tration, refereeing, coaching or sponsor- ing a team, kindly call Roy Cowling at 986-5854 or the Scugog Soccer Association at 985-7553. By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Good one week and bad the next. That's how Bill Langley, coach of the Port Perry Senior Boys Basketball team, would describe the Rebels' luck these days. After catching some big breaks a couple of weeks ago against the Central Collegiate Chiefs to win the LOSSA Championship, the local squad came up flat when they made the journey to Stratford last week for the OFKFSA finals. Seeded 16th in a 16-team tourna- ment, the Rebels opened their second consecutive provincial final up against Barrie North Collegiate for the "AA" title. Rebels come up short at provincial hoops tourney After falling behind by 15 points in the first half, the Rebels staged a late comeback when they cut the Northmen's lead to 58-54 with four minutes remain- ing. But that's as close as the boys would get as they missed every shot in the remainder of the game, eventually falling 71-54 to Barrie. Looking for redemption, the Rebels took on North Bay's Whddifield Wildcats in the second game, but once again dis- covered they had no luck. The Rebels were nursing a one point lead with 1:46 left but things fell apart as Sean Carter-Roncetti was charged with a foul when he was knocked to the Turnto Page 26