Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 135

24 Issue #135 April 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

I guess some of my greatest the Optimist in November, with Mom after that play, and we lost by 8 points
Continued from page 8
memories that I take away from all my and her blankets to keep warm, Dad I believe. There are so many memories
were Bingley, and Pat Camacho. It took years, is playing in the early years with watching the game like an eagle and from those National games, throwing a
me years to call the proper plays, learn my brother Randy, who had a pro tryout discussing the game next day. I miss touchdown and catching a touchdown
them, and to set up plays for 3 or 4 plays with Ottawa in the CFL and is a member that. And if nobody believes in the were highlights, but the memories and
in advance, like a chess game. I have of the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame for healing power of heaven, Dad could friendships remain number one.
always been amazed at the talent at the fastball. Also playing with my cousins, not attend the games due to failing Other flag football memories are
Q.B. position over the years. With Q.B.s Mike, and Shawn O’Neill. Yes, the health and passed away 2 years ago, when we played indoors in Alexandria
like Greg Doll, Camacho, Bingley, championships were nice, with all the I underwent knee surgery around that
for the winter leagues for about 5 years.
Dave Watson, Brendon McDonald, game planning and execution that went time and never thought I could play that Covid stopped all that. But the fun and
Frank Spagnola, Sheldon McDougall, into winning it all, but the friendships year – 2022. Well, I wanted to play so laughter and playing from January to
Steve McGillis, Tony Joseph, Kevin and players through the years is so Dad could watch again, I healed enough April broke up the cold winter months.
Larin, to the newer Q.B.s like Thor valuable now. Guys like Marc Sauve to just stand there and throw and jog a
Also, what was a blast was the outdoor
Grant, Eric Bowman, Jacob Loucks, - one of the best all round flag players bit. By the grace of God and my earthly
and Jarret St. John. (Sorry if I forgot and first rusher into the Hall of Fame angel in Dad, Dad got to watch us win ice-bowls on Super Bowl Sundays.
to mention anyone through the years.) for our league, to Brent Winters, Ron the championship with a front row seat They were played at the Bob Turner,
The league has seen many university Merkeley, (past president), Mike in heaven that year, a total team effort Civic Complex, and Murphy’s Inn.
We played all day through the freezing
and college players and a few CFLers Gilligan, (past president), to the Grant indeed. My sister Debbie brought my
over the years. I have always said the boys, and too many others to mention. Mom to the game on a welcoming rain or cold, snow etc. Teams from all
sport is a hidden gem, or an unknown Also, my happiest memories would be warm November day. It was a perfect over competed. The organizers put on a
high level of talent and competition of my Mom and Dad coming to watch ending, I felt Dad’s presence and God’s fantastic day with food all day, awards,
and watching the big game with
in Cornwall. Too many great players, the games at CCVS or Holy Trinity, healing power in my knee that day.
receivers, and speedsters to mention. sitting during the windy cold games at Other memories are my other sister, everybody - great memories. In 2002
we beat the previous years winner from
Peggy, who is not the biggest football Brockville, 14-7, with Wayne Joseph
fan, but she came out to watch a catching the winning touchdown on a
championship game at the Bob Turner stop and go down the right sidelines.
in the early ‘90’s, and second play
And I remember Brockville trying to
of the game I tore my hamstring so I tie it up on the last plays of the game.
couldn’t play for her. Bad luck indeed. But our defence were flying all over the
So, family and their support, and a place knocking balls down to preserve
competitive spirit, drove me to be the
the victory.
best player I could be. Weekend games
and tournaments took me away from So, I tell everyone now, joking that
family gatherings, but that happens in my next team will be the Glen Stor Dor
all sports. Lodge Oldtimers team, night games
will be tough cause we can’t stay awake
Speaking of tournaments, a Cornwall
for the 9.00 p.m. games, ha-ha.
team mixed with some players from the
Glengarry and Ottawa areas, played in I encourage all interested players to
the Canadian National Championships come out and play a fast paced game.
from 1997, ’98, and ‘99. In 1998 we
Next to pickleball, it is the fastest
lost in the finals, and 1999 we competed growing sport worldwide, I read. It will
in the men’s open A division, and little be in the 2028 Olympics. All interested
Cornwall played great. We played players should contact Steve Primeau,
against many ex CFL’er’s once again,
president of the CMFFL, Cornwall.
and university standouts. One story
I remember; it was against a stacked Let’s start filling the parks again
Toronto team, and it was touch -1997. with sports, put your phones and
So, I’m saying this will be easy, a quick devices down and come out and run
touch and the play is over. We kick off, and play again. The health benefits are
Rotary unites problem solvers around the globe behind one goal: to do more good. Our members are and the fellow who returned the ball ran incredible. Parents, limit your kids cell
driven to bring communities together to create lasting change. Connecting to make things better— phone use, and get them outside again.
that’s what people of action do. Contact Rotary Club of Cornwall at rotaryclubofcornwall@gmail.com all the way for a touchdown – oh-oh,
.

we’re in trouble. This guy was a river We only have one body and one life.
bug, nobody on our team could get a Keep arthritis at bay and move.
hand on him, Inspector Gadget would So, thanks for reading, Blessings to
have had a hard time. But we adjusted all, Brian!