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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 6, 2006 - 41 MacMullin serves up silver at u10 tennis provincials By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF FINE FORM: St. Mildred'sLightbourn School student Laura MacMullin finished fifth at the recent under-10 provincial tennis championships in Burlington, knocking off the tournament's second and third seeds before falling to the top seed in the final. BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER When Bobby Armitage watched Laura MacMullin hitting balls in his Oakville Academy of Tennis recreational program, he saw a player who could play the game but he wondered why an instructor had singled her out for him to watch. "She was able to sustain a rally from the baseline -- maybe not with the best technique," Armitage said. "She's tall for her age. I thought she was maybe 10 or 11. Then I heard she was eight and I thought she definitely had some potential." In the two years since that day, MacMullin has started to realize that potential. She went into the recent under-10 provincial tennis championships at Burlington's Cedar Springs as the fifth seed among 24 players. But the Grade 5 student at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School won five straight matches to earn the silver medal, being denied the gold only after a 6-1, 6-0 loss to the tournament's top seed in the final. MacMullin opened the tournament with a tough match, which she won 5-3. Despite facing a challenge in the opening round, MacMullin wasn't worried. "I came into the tournament knowing everyone is a good player and you're always going to have tough matches," she said. It wouldn't get any easier for MacMullin. After two more victories, she beat the third seed 5-4 in the quarter-finals. Then, in the semifinals, she defeated the second seed 6-3, 62. "I was happy to get that draw," she said. "I think it's great to play against players who are considered better than you. And it felt great to beat them." It's not the first time MacMullin has overcome the odds. "When she first came into the academy, she was quite a bit behind the other players," Armitage said, "but she's worked so hard to catch up and even surpass a lot of the kids. She's made great progress for a couple of years. A lot of See Determination page 42 PRESENTS THE SECOND ANNUAL SEE THE A U T H E N T I C C H A M P I O N S H I P M U AY T H A I B OX I N G FLYER IN TODAY'S PAPER! AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING SYMPOSIUM & EXPO FOR RETIREES AND SOON-TO-BE RETIREES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2006 THE LIVING ARTS CENTRE, MISSISSAUGA RBC Theatre, 4141 Living Arts Drive Join for a one-of-a-kind introduction to retirement! Preparing for and enjoying retirement takes great planning. Spend the day with experts from health, housing, finance and travel fields and gain the knowledge you need to make the most of your retirement. FEATURING Keynote Speaker DR. ELAINE DEMBE "The Passion Doctor" Dr. Elaine Dembe is one of Canada's outstanding authorities on longevity, stress management and motivation. A celebrated chiropractor, sought-after speaker, media personality marathon runner, and author of the best selling books Passionate Longevity - 10 Secrets to Growing Younger and Use the Good Dishes: Finding Joy in Every Day Life, Dr. Dembe has helped thousands of people including the likes of Paula Abdul, Phil Collins, Celine Dion and the Toronto Blue Jays. HOUSING (BILLETS) FOR BLADES PLAYERS REQUESTED IN THE OAKVILLE/MISSISSAUGA AREA AGENDA · DOORS OPEN AT 9:00AM 9:30-9:45am ......................WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION · Brochures · Catalogues · Business Cards · Publications · Newsletters · Business Stationary · Flyers · Magazines · Presentation Folders · Specialty Products Excellent quality and fast, courteous service Call Robert Butt or Al Hamilton 9:45-10:30am.....................DR. ELAINE DEMBE "THE PASSION DOCTOR" will speak on Passionate Longevity and will inspire and re-energize you to live and work with passion, productivity and contentment no matter your age. "Growing older doesn't bother me... I put the emphasis on growing." 10:30-10:45am...................Break 10:45-12:15pm...................HOUSING Doug Gray, former lawyer and author of 9 best selling books on real estate will present tips to follow and pitfalls to avoid about downsizing to a condo, buying recreational property, buying investment real estate, buying out of country, tax strategies, and much more. Gord White, CEO of ORCA (Ontario Retirement Communities Association) will discuss basic questions that are asked everyday by seniors and their families as it relates to housing later in life. This session will map for navigating the twists and turns that make up the care continuum. Q&A with both speakers at end of session. 12:15-1:30pm.....................Break 1:30-2:15pm .......................FINANCE & ESTATE PLANNING Doug Gray, former lawyer and author of 11 best selling books on will and estate planning and small business will present tips to follow and pitfalls to avoid about will and estate planning, living wills, powers of attorney, charitable giving, starting a business when 50+, tax strategies, and much more. 2:15-2:30pm .......................Break 2:30-3:30pm .......................TRAVEL Susan Hallett and Edward Melnychuk will discuss "Tripping" for Boomers, including learning vacations, genealogical touring, once in a lifetime experiences, cruising & boating and more. Includes Q&A. 3:30-4:30pm .......................HEALTH & WELLNESS Garry Lapenskie, Instructor in the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University will present: "You Are Too Young To Retire Your Body" This presentation will focus on some of the age-related changes in our bodies. Acceptance of what cannot be changed and strategies for making changes will be the topics explored. Includes Q&A. 4:30-5pm .............................RECEPTION IN FOYER Enjoy refreshments while you meet the presenters and sponsors personally. The Oakville Blades are looking for families who may have an interest in billeting an out of town player. Should you be interested in helping the team, please contact the Blades at...905-337-3361 ext 236. Qualified families will receive monthly compensation. TICKETS ARE ONLY $15. and admission fee provides attendance to all the above seminars, program, on-site demonstrations and loot bag. Seating is limited so book today! Sponsored by 905.845.4549 Tickets available at the Living Arts Centre Box Office 905-306-6000 or 1-888-805-8888 and online at www.livingartscentre.ca For information on available sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities, please call 905-337-5591