Sports | DrumhellerMail

Terrapins get ready for debut season

The Drumheller Valley Secondary School football field has been packed this week with players getting ready for action, including the newest addition to the Titans football organization.
The Drumheller Terrapins, a new peewee football team, suited up for practice earlier this week.

The Drumheller peewee Terrapins hit the field this week for fall practice. Twenty five players have joined the team and are busy learning the fundamentals of football. The team has a week of practice before heading to Cochrane for their first game of the year on September 7. The Terrapins first home game is scheduled for September 13.

    “It feels awesome to be on the field, it’s been a long time and a lot of work to get these guys on the field,” said Cory Miles, head coach of the Terrapins. “Now, we’re out here ready to go.”
   The Terrapins will play their first game of the season in Cochrane on September 7 against the RV Rage. The following Friday, September 13, they play their first home game.
   “It’ll be a Friday night lights game for us. It should be exciting,” said Miles.
   However, the Terrapins won’t be playing as part of any official league this season.
   “We didn’t officially make it into a league this year, because we weren’t sure about everything before the registration deadline,” said Miles. “We have six games lined up, but they’ll all be exhibition games this year, which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. They’ll get to learn the game.”
   The Titans organization has been working towards a peewee team for the past several years. Earlier this year, Miles was named head coach and kids in the Grade 5 to 6 range, flocked to spring training.
   So far, 25 kids have registered for the team.
   “We weren’t expecting so many kids. It’s great to have such a huge turnout in our first year,” said Miles.
   Thomas Laffin and Spencer Seright join Miles on the coaching staff. The three will focus on teaching the new players the basics of football.
   “The fundamentals, like how to tackle properly and a few basic plays. I told the kids, at the end of the year I don’t care how many wins and losses we have - it’s about how far they’ve progressed throughout the season,” said Miles.
   “We are running the same offense the bantams and seniors run, the double wing. We ran a few plays and they looked good.”
   To see the Terrapins in action, head to the Drumheller Valley Secondary School field on the evening of September 13.
   “Hopefully we’ll just keep getting better and better,” said Miles. “I’ve got high hopes. They’re looking pretty good.”

Ouellette wins provincial championship at Dinosaur Trail

After coming back from ninth place after day one, Drumheller resident Scott Ouellette took home the Alberta Amateur Mid Handicap Championship Thursday, August 8.
   Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club hosted the two-day tournament that saw 59 players shoot it out for provincial glory. Ten players in the field were from Drumheller.
   After day one, David Chapados of Whitecourt was leading with 78. Drumheller’s Jeff Skytt was in second and Trent Colberg was in third place. Ouellette, playing out of Olds Golf and Country Club, was in ninth place with an 85.
   On day two, even with some drizzle, he was able to bridge the gap with a 75, giving him a total of 160, and first place.
   “I felt like I played really well, today,” said Ouellette following his win. “I came back from being down by seven strokes and I won by four.”
   Jason Muma of Country Hills and Skytt tied for second and Colberg tied for fourth. Gary Chung was the only other Drumheller player in the top 10, finishing in 9th.
   Ouellette said there was good competition and despite a little bit of rain early on, the day was great.
   “I’d rather have a little rain than wind,” laughs Ouellette.
   He also points out that he is the first person with a transplant to win this tournament. The Mail brought readers Ouellette’s story in the July 31 edition. In 2008, he received a heart transplant.
   Other Drumheller competitors included Dave Bethel (T19), Dave Morgan (T19), Tony Pliva (T31), Brad Hunter (T31), Greg Morrow (T40) and Tom Fournier (T50).
   Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club manager Scott Westman said he has heard good feedback from players and officials, as well as a comments about how challenging the back 9 is. He is hopeful they can host more sanctioned tournaments in the future.

U12 Raptors soccer pitch for support in national BMO contest

    The U12 Drumheller Raptors travel team is looking for support to become the BMO Team of the Week.
   The soccer team, coached by Cameron Chapin and Paul Salvatore, entered the BMO contest to hopefully win big for their facility.
   The contest is to give teams across the country a chance to show their pride, spirit and community commitment. Until July 24, judges will be picking 15 teams as finalists for the Team of the Week Contest. After that, Canadians will vote for their favourite team. The winner will be announced in September and will win $125,000 to upgrade their facility.
   The U12 Raptors are already a winner. As one of the Early Bird Entry winners, it received a shipment of BMO practice soccer balls and water bottles.
   So far, there have been nine Teams of the Week selected as finalists, and the Raptors would like to claim one of the finalists spots. More than want it, they deserve it.
   The team is not only committed to working hard and giving their all every game, but also give back to the community. They are very active raising funds for their club to keep the program strong.
   Beyond soccer, every year they donate a portion of their Christmas fundraiser for the Alberta Arthritis Society. They are also one of the teams that goes door-to-door every year in the Salvation Army’s Food drive.
   Part of keeping soccer strong in Drumheller is upgrading its facility. Some of the amenities they would like to add a field house, with shelter, washrooms and concession, with storage, and making comfortable for players and spectators.
   To help support the Drumheller U12 Raptors soccer team in the national contest, go to www.bmosoccer.com and register to show support for the team.
   The more support the team gets, the better the chances it will be selected as one of the weekly winners and qualify for the national voting. So far, there has been a steady stream of support for the team, but they could always use more.
   “The more supporters you have on your page the better your chances of becoming a weekly winner,” said Drumheller Soccer board member Marnie Chapin.

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