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Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports son families. "It was a no-brainer to accept an offer from IMG. They have incredible facilities, an excellent reputation for developing student-athletes (and) their impressive list of alumni speaks volumes," said Cuomo, who has played for Ontario at several national lacrosse championships. IMG Academy also offers programs for tennis (IMG was initially founded as the Bollettieri Tennis Academy), golf, soccer, baseball, basketball, track and field, athletic and personal development, and football. Hudson plans to study at IMG for two years, beginning this fall, before attending the University of Vermont on a lacrosse scholarship. He aspires to eventually play or coach lacrosse professionally. Cuomo, an 18-year-old who has attended both Abbey Park and The Hill Academy during his high school years, scored 32 goals and added 35 assists in 16 games last season for the Buzz. He has committed to Quinnipiac University for 2015. -- Jon Kuiperij 57 | Friday, August 1, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Lacrosse players scoop spots at IMG Robert Hudson and Foster Cuomo will soon have something in common with Maria Sharapova, Eli Manning and several other world-famous athletes. The Oakville Buzz junior B lacrosse players have been accepted into the lacrosse program at Florida's IMG Academy, a school that specializes in developing elite studentathletes. Hudson and Cuomo are believed to be the first Oakville residents to enroll in IMG's lacrosse program. "It's like nothing I've ever seen," said Hudson, a 17-year-old Holy Trinity high school student who had 15 goals and 24 assists in 17 games this past season for the Buzz. "There was another school (I was considering), but the appeal of IMG is great." Hudson said his admission into the school was based on a recommendation of his friend's father, Dean French, who had coached Hudson in the past. Cuomo drew attention from IMG by playing with Edge Lacrosse, a program that exposes players to NCAA coaches, and was also recommended by the French and Hud- Robert Hudson (left) and Foster Cuomo, both pictured in action with the Oakville Buzz, have been accepted into IMG Academy's lacrosse program. | Oakville Beaver file photos An eager volunteer for U20 Women's World Cup by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor 2014 HOUSE LEAGUE SEASON AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION Pierce Lang says he is approaching the upcoming Under-20 Women's World Cup as a business opportunity. But, the Oakville resident adds, his media volunteer position with the international tournament will likely provide its share of surreal moments as well. "I was in Vancouver for the Olympics, so some of the lustre (working at a major event) will have worn off," says Lang, Pierce Lang a 30-year-old Sheridan College broadcast journalism student who worked as a caterer at the 2012 Winter Games. "But if I were to take a step back when I'm not so involved, it'll probably be an incredible experience, especially if Canada is winning or successful during the tournament." Although Lang's younger sister Kara was once practically synonymous with the Canadian women's program, Pierce -- who will be assisting media at this month's tournament -- is getting his first real glimpse behind the scenes of international soccer. He wasn't able to be in Edmonton in 2002 when Kara, then 15, helped Canada earn silver at the tournament's debut competition (when it was known as the U19 world championships). He also couldn't attend the 2003 and 2007 Women's World Cups that Kara participated in, or the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. "I don't know how many times I've seen the women's team play live. Maybe twice," Pierce says. "There were a lot of families that went out (to China in 2008), but I just don't think at that time it was feasible. I was living in Vancouver, so we had the games on all the time back home." Pierce says Kara, an ambassador for the U20 Women's World Cup as well as next year's full Women's World Cup that Canada will also host, wasn't even aware he would be working at this year's tournament until a few weeks ago. He landed the job after contacting Canadian Soccer Association communications director Richard Scott, who Pierce got to know through arranging guest appearances by national team players on a soccer show Pierce operated, produced and hosted in Vancouver. Pierce is optimistic that working the U20 event will make him a leading candidate for any media positions at next year's World Cup. "I would love for as many of the young people in our community to take advantage of this opportunity to see how professionals work and how an operation of such a grand stage is put on," the St. Thomas Aquinas see Enthusiasm on p.58 E S U HO E L K C A T E U LEAG HOUSE LEAGUE DIVISIONS Tyke (players born 2006-2008) Atom (players born 2004-2005) Peewee (players born 2002-2003) Bantom (players born 2000-2001) Registration is available online for 2014 HOUSE LEAGUE TACKLE PROGRAM. For more information please contact BMFA Director of House League Nicole Desrochers at houseleague@burlingtonminorfootball.ca Coaching positions also available. To apply, or for more information, please visit our website at www.burlingtonminorfootball.ca FOR IN PERSON REGISTRATION! 3 NIGHTS LEFT! LAST CHANCE Wednesday Aug 6th,Thursday Aug 7th & Friday Aug 8th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm NELSON CLUBHOUSE 4181 New St., Burlington (Clubhouse is located by the stadium) T O O F R O IN M N O T G N URLI B . W W W AT W O N INE L N O R E REGIST BALL.CA