Warriors drive Forde to win The Warriors defence crowds around the Varsity Blues' Templar lga in the season opener Monday. r [he Waterloo Warriors didn't have a lot of porsches in the lineup for the labour day launch of their OUA (omball season, And they Used every ounce of gas they could get e Twin Cities Minor I Tackle Football Associ- ation has come a long way from the one team it had when it was first founded in Local tackle football gets a boost from Trillium grant Now the biggest associa- tion in the Southern Ontario Football league. Mn Cities is looking to the future, hop- ing to add to the eight teams they presently field. but they did 'iatta Forde. And they got a big hand in shaping that future with a Trillium Foundation grant they got last weekend at Uni- versity Stadium. Kitchener MPP Wayne Wettlaufer was on hand to present a cheque for $24,400 to Gary Howell, president of the association. The money will go m help By 110an Olmnicle SM BYBOBVIMNAC granitic Slay? out midyear wide receiver Ian Forde to roll over the visit- ing University of Toronto Var- sity Blues 31 -0. "Witt, starting tailback lay Akindolire out of the lineup with a leg injury. the Wanims did everything in their power to get the Speedster the ball. even playing him on the punt and field goal teams the association field two momtem More importantly. it will further the recruitment and development of more coach- es for the organization to make sure the association's growth continues. "This is probably one of the most exciting days we've had," said Howell, a local teacher who helped get tack- le football going again after local leagues evaporated in the 1980s. "We've done a major expansion this year and our No.1 goal is always to make sure that kids always have agreat experience." The association is cur- Iently 250 players strong with players competing in both house league football and in Varsity football action inthe Junior (NFL That proved to be the dif- ference as Forde set up the Warriors' fitst score with an “Hard punt return Fullback Alex Balloway finished the drive to put Waterloo up 7-0 at the half. Forde. touted as one of the fastest players in the OUA with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard Continued on ml! The grant will allow the program to add 56 new play- ers to the association and recruit and train 10 new coaches. With it costing $12.000 to fully equip one team. the funding will go a long way, said Howell. "We set ourselves up to do some expansion this year," said Howell. "We sent out 24,000 Byers this spring to all the local public schools "We've gone from one team in 1996 to eight teams this year. nine if you count our Ir. (NFL program. "Everyone else in SOFAI. is either going the wrong way, losing teams, or holding on to what they have, The Trillium grant allows us to solidify our program and work on getting new equip- ment." SPORTS HRONICUi I . e the Siskins went 1N?lii a new face at head coach in Dave Officer, they brought in an old hand to manage the team. And after almost three years away from the rink, Siskins general manager Bob Playford is back where he wants to be - building the team into a contender. thveigrrruftheiyb himself And while there's no promises with the Siskins' program for this season called "Sudden Change", there is potential as the squad returns a number of veterans including Jeremy Ostapuk. Chris Greer and RichWeiler. "We want to try to get as competitive as possible as quickly as possible," said Playford, who got his stan in the organization under Keith beforE leaving three years There is also competition as more than 100 players attended the Siskins' training camp that started Aug, 22. "Some of our brighter spots are returnees, but we wanted to bring players in to challenge guys," said Play- P1ayfoH's back in the rink The Twin Cities Minor Tune Football Association received a Trillium Foundation grant Saturday a, eventually, took oveI BvBonVlumw: otronicltlimf And the homegrown tal- ent in Waterloo got their chance to play as Playford has met with every Major Midget and Minor Midget player in the city to see if they fit in with the program. Playford saw the success of the Water- loo Woks Major and Midget programs last year and dead» ed that he didnt have to go to far to recruit some more tal- ent. "We're excited about what's going on locally," said Phyford. espesialty about the reborn Major Midget pro- gram. "We've actually dis- coumged a lot of out-of-town ford. Waterloo Siskins Jr 'B' Hockey Club Jnew.vwwatertoo.eom CLICK HERE Hw- Iu I W Pro-and (In Nam:- mm "Theteseems tobealotof enthusiasm lowly with guys who want to give it a shot," said Hayford, who's preparing for the Siskins' home opener Sept. 14, which features free admission for the fans as well as the unveiling of the new logo. uniforms and mascot. minor hockey kids hom even coming to our camp because we have such a strong local Local talent that has turned the heads of the Siskins' brain trust include Midget grads like Ben Maser. who suited up for the team Monday at RIM Park in an exhibition against Entire.