Page 10 - May 4, 2017

Page 10 The Independent Thursday, May 4, 2017
Sports
Czech lacrosse tournament an experience of a lifetime for Petrolia man
Heather Wright
Tournament in the Czech Republic.
for them and wearing their colours during the game. “They were giving us high ves when we came off and we were signing autographs for them.
Canada and Europe. The Green Gaels made it to the semi nals to be beat out by BC’s Ladner Pioneers.
the children since quality lacrosse equipment is very expensive in the Czech Republic. Holbrough says the kids just glowed after receiving the gifts.
The Independent
Holbrough has a family, including three small children, and a business but after reading about the tournament, he says “we couldn’t miss the opportunity.”
Petrolia’s Brad Holbrough has played a lot of lacrosse but he’s never had an experience like this.
“It was unlike anything I’ve experienced before... it was an incredible experience.”
But for Holbrough, one
of the highlights of the experience was being a part of the lacrosse clinics for the local children. Even in the pouring rain, 200 children turned out for the event.
The Green Gaels gave out
a lot of their equipment to
“At rst, I wanted to keep the jersey as a souvenir, but I ended up giving it to a
kid instead. Watching him running up to his friends and family with that smile on his face; it was worth it.”
Holbrough grew up in Brigden and Petrolia and played his rst lacrosse games in Sarnia. He was drafted to Peterborough and then to Brampton to continue. He turned pro and spent a year with the Chicago Shamrocks and then four more playing in Langley before returning home.
And it didn’t disappoint. Lacrosse is huge in the Czech Republic. The nation is considered one of the best lacrosse nations in the European Union.
Holbrough says the competition was stiff with 22 teams from across
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Some of his former teammates recently contacted him asking if he would join a team – the Clarington Green Gaels - heading to the Ales Hrebesky Memorial
The tournament was played outdoors and Holbrough says fans crammed the rink to watch, cheering and shouting
like they would during a European Soccer game.
The Green Gaels had sent a team to the tournament
a number of times and the fans remembered – chanting
Tanner Hibma-Powell at the Michigan State compe on
Submi ed Photo
Petrolia Powerhouse State champ
Tanner Hibma-Powell has claimed the Michigan State gymnastics title for her age group.
The Grade 4 Hillcrest student trains with the All American Flames Gymnastix in Port Huron and was at the meet in Michigan over the weekend.
Hibma-Powell placed rst on the bars and beam and second on the oor as well as seventh in the vault. That gave her the top all-around score for the meet making her top in her division.
Hibma-Powell has been invited by Michigan USA Gymnastics to go to this year’s champions’ banquet to celebrate her state win.
The 10-year-old has been at nine meets this year and brought home seven over all championships and two second place over all medals to bring home 31 gold medals in all.
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