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Sarnia Lions Take A Leave of Absence
The Sarnia Lions met this past week to plan their team
direction for 2010. The team executive held a lengthy
meeting and decided that The Sarnia Lions will be taking a
"Years leave of Absence" from the Ontario Varsity Football
League play for the 2010 season.
Team General Manager Rob Tuer listed several factors that
lead to the decision.
"The team's dynamics have changed the past couple years.
We just have to stop and catch our breathe, re-organize, and
look for change" Tuer said. " With the area's economics in
flux, it has been harder to raise money for the team.
Players don't have much money to pay for registration and,
the local school enrollments are dropping" he went on to say
"We have gone to the League a few times about issues and
it's at the point where we have to do this since they have
offered no help". Tuer mentioned that Football Ontario is
looking to re-organize the several splinter Leagues, with
possible mergers. This many put Sarnia in a more suitable
division that would match them with markets more their
competitive size. "By taking the year off, we may find our
team in a better position if we chose to return."
Team Head Coach Jeff Sunderland said, " It's not that the
talent is not here, it is. It's just that we don't have the
player commitment like the past. Guys come out and then
leave after 2 games, for whatever reason. You start the
season with 45 players and limp into the last game with 20.
This is not good" Sunderland said this could be a wake up
call, for the local players. "Summer football is a
great opportunity, many
Lion Players get that extra chance to show University teams
what they can do". "You look at several University teams
that have ex-Lion players playing. Those kids are making
real contributions to those teams".
"You look at other sports and teams are doing this more
often - taking the proactive approach in being the masters
of their own destiny.
You have to choose what helps your program deliver the best
for your community. It's not like we are quitting, we are
doing this to be stronger" said Sunderland.
LIONS Reflect on Years
As the Sarnia Lions Football team are entering their 10th
year as an organization. The team asked several of its
coaches from over the
years to submit names to form a "10 Yr Anniversary All Star
Team". With more than 300 players that wore the Green, Black
and White over that time there were many names to select
from.
Although there are many players that excelled as a Lion, the
following players stood out in the eyes of the coaches.
10 Yr Anniversary Team
Offense
QB - Pat Wright
O-Line - Marc Jean, Nick Cicchini, Adam Bestard, Kyle
Weston, Dan Scott
RB - Joe Crowe, Mike Hegarty, Brandon Donkers
Slot - Devon Johnson, Don Gooding
WR - Andrew Bain, Jon Bettridge, Ryan Lounsbury
Kicker - Kevin Allaer
Kick Returner - Josh Barker
Defense
D-Line - Adam Hart, Gresham Bailey, Tyler Boyd, Brady Taylor
LB - Ricky Gorton, Andrew Lowery, Derek Cox
OLB - Dwight Butler, Dave Sherwin
Safety - Graham Curran, John Bain
DB - Tyler Scott, Zack Androschuk, Greg Jillson
Corners - Josh Matlin, Aubrey Shepard
As a note - Don Gooding was the only player nominated for
more than 2 positions, on both Offense and Defense.
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