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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, August 10, 2012 · 32 Matheson finally gets her due Canada's first team medal at Summer Games since '36 Continued from page 31 team who hopes to make the provincial squad this fall. Borea has idolized Matheson ever since meeting her a couple years ago. "She's just a really fantastic player. Since she's from Oakville and made it all the way, it gives us hope we can all make it there if we really try," Borea said. "I remember Diana telling us a story that she originally didn't make it, but then she was called back. When you get cut, it doesn't necessarily mean it's over. It just means you have to keep working hard because they'll come watch you again." Perhaps Matheson's greatest quality, Varian said, is her eagerness to share her passion and story with younger players. The fact that Varian -- who has only been at the OSC for two years, long after Matheson made her way through the system-- knows her so well is telling about Matheson's continued involvement with her former club. "She's never forgotten where she started her career, where she spent her youth," he said. "She comes back regularly to the club to help us out with any initiatives we ask her to engage in, to inspire and help develop young girls. She works very hard to inspire young girls to be the best they can be." Not that it's only young girls who can be inspired by Matheson. The OSC's under-16 boys' A and B teams were motivated by a visit from Matheson at a practice earlier this season. "She just told us her story. She told us the different things that occurred to her, talked about her game, her education, her beliefs. She shared that very nicely with the boys," said Stephen Bruce, manager of the U16 boys' A squad. "It was very informal, informative and inspirational. She was very gracious." Matheson's contributions back to the community haven't ended there, either. While she worked at Soccer World, she regularly fundraised for several soccer teams in the area as well as Kerr Street Ministries. Just like her playing style on the field, Matheson did it all under the radar, without widespread recognition. Yesterday in London, with an entire nation watching, she finally got her due. And in so doing, Matheson and her teammates hope they've inspired the next generation of soccer talent in Canada. "For Diana, this is just rewards because she always does this work so effortlessly and with such a passion," Varian said. "For her to have this medal demonstrates you don't have to be 6-foot-2, you don't have to be big and strong. Small players can be just as powerful as big players. If it's in your heart, never give up." l l a l b l t a o b o t f o r o f o n ! r i T o N m E n ! V i T N E N m O N E T V O I N E G T O A N R T ON I I T L G T S I A R N G R I E U L R ST I B R G fall E U R B fall house BURLINGTON MALL IN PERSON REGISTRATION SUNDAY, JUNE 3 ­ NOON-5:00 PM TH SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 SUNDAY, JUNE 3 ­ NOON-5:00 PM BURLINGTON MALL Sports is always about seizing moments, The medal is the first for a traditional hanging on if necessary and doing what you Summer Olympic team sport for Canada have to do when you get a chance to do it. since the men's basketball team won silver in "Football is cruel," said coach John 1936 and finishes a remarkable year-long Herdman. building process for this team. Or karmic. Canada had flamed out of last year's World The emotional toll of Canada's 4-3 semifiCup in spectacular fashion, losing all three of nal loss to the United States cannot be quanits games, including a 4-0 drubbing adminis- tified, the players left that game with their tered by the same French team it beat before hearts almost ripped out of their chests. 12,465 fans on Thursday afternoon. The physical toll was as costly. The "I know personally after the World Cup Canadians had played an intense extra time last year, I was sort of like a game just three nights earlier broken soccer player," said "Seeing (France) hit and it was widely apparent as Christine Sinclair, who was their second crossbar, the second half grew older in danger of being suspended seeing things get that they were done. for the bronze medal game cleared off the line, "Part-way through the after an outburst following a first half, we knew we were (Canadian keeper Erin semifinal loss to the United dead tired," said Sinclair, the States. "I put so much time McLeod) making an all-world Canadian. "Playing into this program and then to amazing save, I just extra time against the States finish dead last at the World thought we were going and the intensity of that Cup was almost like, `are we to have that one game, we knew we really ever going to get there.'" didn't have anything left in chance. And (Diana They did, if a bit fortuthe tank. Matheson) buried it." itously. "But seeing them hit their The French had hit a second crossbar, seeing crossbar and a post, had one Canadian striker things get cleared off the line, sure goal cleared off the line Christine Sinclair Erin making an amazing by a Canadian midfielder and save, I just thought we were watched keeper Erin McLeod make a couple going to have that one chance ... and Dee of spectacular saves. They had the run of the buried it." play from the time the second half began, Setting off an incredible scene at the staonly to have the medal snatched from them dium, Canadians traversing the pitch carrythrough hard luck and Matheson's calm. ing the flag, unadulterated joy on their "Today, I had (defender) Carmelina faces. Moscato making a diving save in front of the "I never sprint up the field and I sprinted," ball, I had (midfielder) Desi Scott save one off said centre back Candace Chapman, who was the line. It's easier when you have more than injured in the first game of the tournament one in there," joked McLeod. and got on the pitch as a substitute for the "This team is the most resilient team I've final nine minutes. ever been a part of, and it showed. They were "Of course I had more energy than anyone coming in waves and we stuck to our guns else but it was exhilarating. I feel like things and we came out with the win." like this never happen for Canada." Continued from page 11 league (for ages 6-14) runs August - November Registration Fee: $475 Reduce Reuse Recycle OAKVILLE'S NEWEST REAL ICE TRAINING FACILITY COMING SEPTEMBER 2012 Filling up fast, spots still available Leaguein Tackle register personFootball at our Season! House league player Your child can try assessment on footballcamp Nelson High School helmets and shoulder pads 4181 New St., Burlington while6-8 you register! Tykes - anytime Atom 9 &Vanier 10 - 9am See the Cup! Meet players Peewee 11 & 12Vanier - 11am Cup winning from the 2011 Bantam 13 & 14 - 2pm team, the McMaster Marauders! or, register online Appearances from the Hamilton @ www.burlingtonminorfootball.ca Register for the 2012 BMFA House FUTURE STARS LEAGUE $ FOR AGES 4 -7 Tiger Cat Cheerleaders! All equipment is included in the the registration fee, all you need to buy is cleats. urlin www.b gtonm otba inorfo ll.ca BERGERON Additional Features: · Skill Development Classes Register online · Private Lessons www.cehockey.ca · 905-901-5114 · Team Sessions 1130 Speers Road, Oakville · Rentals 499 Head Instructor JASON