Page 45 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 113

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #113 June 2022 45

Contact me to design ads

Registered Massage Therapist Sheryl Calvank-Rodriguez, RMT
dillydesigns@eastlink.ca

Continued from page 35 Celtics game in Oakville before philosophy is simple: hard work I discovered that Zak had smooth
heading home. We were all so beats talent when talent doesn’t work hands and a canon for a shot, so I
I began playing lacrosse is due to excited, so we went as a team on our hard. Every time you touch the floor, added him to the power play,” said
watching my older brothers Blu, coach bus to go watch. I was happy whether it be a practice or game, play Grant. “When our first opportunity
Nigel, and Judd play. At 16, my oldest because I knew I would get to watch as if it’s your final time on the floor. for power play came up, I made sure
brother Blu just finished treatments my older brother Nigel play. When I I owe my coaching success to all my to give Zak his chance. After a few
for cancer (non-Hodgkins’s got off the bus in Oakville, my coach past coaches who gave up countless passes and catches, Zak winds up
lymphoma) in the winter/spring and asked me if I wanted to play with the hours of their own time to pass on for a big shot and he unleashes an
when the lacrosse season started, team,” said Grant. “I was so nervous their knowledge and love of the absolute rocket into the top corner of
he began playing for the Cornwall and excited at the same time - I can game. Not just my lacrosse coaches, the net. I looked across the bench at
intermediate lacrosse team. Seeing still remember walking into the but every sport I’ve been a part of.” Scott and gave a little grin and head
him battle cancer then being the best Celtic dressing room as a 14-year- Grant’s favourite coaching nod of approval indicating that we
player on the floor encouraged me to old kid with a bunch of grown men memory came this year. made a good decision putting Zak on
start playing lacrosse.” and one of the guys said, “Finally “My Jr. C Celtics team played in the power play.”
Grant went on to play his entire we’ve got a good lacrosse player.” Huntsville recently. We have two To this day, Grant’s family still
minor and junior lacrosse in Cornwall, We ended up losing that game 14-2. amazing goalies and one of them, shows up to watch all his games.
playing with the Jr. B Celtics, the Jr. Even though we got beat badly, I was Zak Coir, was supposed to take the
C Celtics, and affiliating with the still happy I was able to play with my game off, but he suggested he play “There is something about the
Akwesasne Jr. A Indians. After his older brother. I also got two points in as a player. Scott McMaster allowed game of lacrosse that brings people
junior years, he played a few seasons the game, one goal and one assist.” him to suit up and play some defence. together. It’s not just a game to me,
with the Sr. B Ottawa Axeman. The thing Grant enjoys most about While watching him in warm up, it’s a way of life,” said Grant.
“One of my favourite memories coaching is being able to pass on his
playing lacrosse in Cornwall was knowledge and love for the game.
when I was fourteen. While in “Every time I step on the floor as
Toronto playing for the Cornwall a coach, I still get that same feeling
Bulldogs, our coach Perry Blanchard in the pit of my stomach, like when
asked our team after our last game you’re about to step on the floor and
if we wanted to go watch the Jr. B play,” said Grant. “My coaching

Thom’s Trivia

Answers

Questions on page 30

A1: The Geneva Robins

A2: They won their respective Class A categories at the 4th Annual
O’Keefe Open at the Cornwall Golf & Country Club. Of Note, Orval
Tessier won the B Class for men.

A3: Roy Ledoux came into the game to relieve Rick Desrosiers and
drew praise from both coaches, Frank Benedict of the Braves and Omar
Desrosiers of the Celtics. Travis Cook had five goals for the Braves.