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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, March 18, 2010 · 18 Raiders have experience Continued from page 17 Soccer club announces new CAO The current president and CEO of administrative officer," Varian said in a Sport BC will be the next chief admin- release. "The club's reputation of istrative officer of the Oakville Soccer being one of Canada's finest sport institutions extends across Club. the country and I am Paul Varian will oversee extremely thankful to the the day to day activities of the Board of Directors for club's operation effective extending me this opportuJune 1, the OSC announced nity. I look forward to worklast week. ing with the club's staff, Varian brings a track board, volunteers and partrecord of impressive results ners in helping the organiin sports administration, zation meet its developmenleadership, business growth tal goals over the coming and strategic development to Paul Varian years." the OSC. On top of his curSport BC is the independent federarent duties with Sport BC, he also served as an official VANOC ambassa- tion for amateur sport in British dor to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Columbia, which includes the and Paralympic games, and he was the province's 65 sport organizations. chief executive of the Irish Hockey Varian strategically repositioned Sport Association prior to joining Sport BC. BC to be a leader in the BC amateur Varian will replace Jean Gandubert, sport system, introducing new service who is leaving the club to pursue other standards and professional capabilities. Varian was instrumental in raising the opportunities. "I am delighted to be joining profile of the organization and broadOakville Soccer Club as its new chief ening the reach of its programs. "Paul is an experienced sports administrator and an accomplished leader," said OSC president Tom Tithecott. "He will provide strong guidance and support to our staff, volunteers, players and coaches as they continue building on the OSC's substantial growth and development. The board is enthusiastic about working with Paul to lead the OSC into a positive and dynamic future." The Oakville Soccer Club is one of the largest community soccer organizations in North America, with more than 10,000 recreational and competitive players playing in summer outdoor and fall/winter indoor leagues. The club's tradition of excellence includes nine national championships, more than 50 Ontario Cup titles and a large number of players selected to represent Canada at the international level. Hundreds of OSC products have earned scholarships with universities and colleges in Canada and the United States during the club's long history. pion at the Bur Bear tournament in Burlington. The Blue Dogs earned their first-ever CISAA playoff victory in the recent league semifinals against Nichols, losing the best-of-three series in three games. Appleby's first game will be against Toronto's Richview C.I. at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Aquinas hopes to improve on last year's bronze The Raiders head back to OFSAA without graduated sniper Josh Ruys, who scored 17 goals in seven games at last year tournament. Picking up the offensive slack have been returnees Brad Gillies, Zack Ruys, Tyler Vaddacchino and Paterson Farrell. Rick Bota, who played AAA midget with the Halton Hurricanes last season, has also given the offence a boost. Jake Jagodkin, a former Oakville Rangers AAA player, has anchored the defence while the Raiders will get goalie Justin Bailey in time for the tournament. Bailey missed the last regular season game and all of the playoffs when he broke his hand after taking a shot off the back of his glove in practice. The Raiders earned their way to the provincial championship by being the only AA school to qualify for Division 1. They would have had to play a challenge game had a AA school won the Division 2 title, but Burlington Central lost in double overtime to Abbey Park. Aquinas coach Bryon Hickey said with 11 players returning from last year, the Raiders should benefit from having OFSAA experience. "We lost our first game last year," said Hickey, whose team went on to post a 5-2 mark at the tournament. "Hopefully this time we're not going to get caught off guard. Last year was a bit of a surprise (the team had won only one game the previous season). This year, they have their sights set a little higher." Aquinas will open the tournament at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday against St. Christopher of Sarnia. The OFSAA finals will be played Friday. -- With files from Herb Garbutt, staff Abbey Park's Helmer MVP at volleyball all-star game Abbey Park's Renee Helmer was named the West's most valuable player after helping her team rally for a victory in the recent Halton girls' volleyball all-star game in Burlington. The West trailed two games to one before coming back to win the last two sets 25-20, 15-9. The East opened with a 25-12 win but the West squared the match with a 25-21 victory. The East regained the advantage with a close 25-23 win in the third set. Joining Helmer on the victorious West team were Elise Kollenhoven of King's Christian Collegiate and Nova Bozinoski of Abbey Park. Representing Oakville on the East squad were Kristin Sprukulis (Holy Trinity), Jenn Kastelic (White Oaks), Cassie Rogers and Jessica Reynolds (St. Thomas Aquinas), Aly Torrance and Elizabeth Siklos (Oakville Trafalgar) and Nicole Helmer, Erin Scott and coach Toni Babic (Loyola). With 37 Years of Experience, We O er Summer Soccer at its Best 14 weeks of play* Includes end of season games All age divisions for youth and adults are available (U4+) Registration is NOW OPEN till the start of the season. Space is limited. Register in person at the Oakville Soccer Club. Proof of birth required. * Men's Open Age plays for 15 weeks, U4/U5 plays for 10 weeks 1520 Pine Glen Road (Dundas and Third Line) 9:30 a.m. ­ 10:00 p.m., Monday ­ Sunday. For more informa on, please visit our website at www.oakvillesoccer.ca