Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 133
P. 30
30 Issue #133 February 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com
Pull the other one…
By Casey Leger Rock Farms Alpacas in Apple Hill.
So, what exactly is garden
ove over, Formula 1, there’s tractor pulling? And what attracts
Ma new kid in town for competitors and fans to the events?
motorsports enthusiasts: garden “The attraction is tractor pulling,” an
tractor pulling. And if initial interest enthusiastic Finbow explains. “It’s
is anything to go by, then the 613 about who can pull a weighted sled
MGTPA—Modified Garden Tractor the farthest down a 250-foot clay or
Pullers Association—is going to be stone screenings track. Classes are
a big hit. based on tractor horsepower and the
“There is excitement in the air for weight of the tractor when hooked to
sure,” says Association Chairperson Waltzing Matilda, our sled.”
Glen Finbow. “All our events are There a pretty wide range of Photo Glen Finbow
now sold out for 2024, and we are factors that account for the growing
taking bookings for 2025. There popularity of this sport. “Like any
were no pulling events in Eastern automotive sport, we do it for fun
Ontario, so a small group started 613 and bragging rights,” says Finbow.
MGTPA in the 613 area code, and we “It’s a cheaper entry-level sport, kids four Maritime provinces, New York according to Finbow, it garnered
are holding events in 2024.” are included in a big way, and it is State, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 10,000 visitors in its first fifty-
It is huge in the USA.” two days. Anyone interested in
There are six founding members of a passion for most of us, from ages
the Association. Finbow, the current six to eighty plus years. Participants The 613 MGTPA website went the association can find them at
https://613mgtpa.com .
chairperson, owns and operates Split come from Ontario, Quebec, the online December 1, 2023, and
Continued from page 29 managed to stick with the grit and battle
through every game,” said O’Brien.
effort to help support my community
and some young men who are looking A notable highlight for O’Brien this
to love the game as much as I do, then season was reaching the finals of the
hopefully that comes full circle one day Gananoque Tournament. While they
when they get older.” didn’t secure the top spot, finishing
O’Brien’s coaching philosophy second in a division with numerous
revolves around instilling the value of competitive teams marked a significant
competitiveness and resilience. achievement for the U13 Rep B team.
“The team that works the hardest and In closing, O’Brien extends an
never gives up will always be the team invitation to others interested in
that wins in the end,” said O’Brien. coaching, emphasizing the rewarding
“No matter what the score board says, experience of giving back to the
the team that works hard every single community and shaping the future of
period, and doesn’t give up, shows young hockey players.
true character, and it is a skillset that
“If there are others out there that are
I am hoping passes on to the team
not only in hockey but in life as well. looking for a rewarding experience,
coaching has been an incredible way
Consistency in anything will always to give back to the community while
generate results.” helping foster the next generation of
Reflecting on the current season, hockey players,” said O’Brien. “I hope
O’Brien acknowledges the challenges the boys remember the lessons we tried
faced by his team, competing against to instill in them this year and take
mostly major teams in the division. those not only into their future hockey
“Despite having a very tough season, careers but into their own lives as well
playing against teams that are mostly and remember to always try to make a
majors in the division, our team has difference no matter how big or small.”
