White Division

Convenors Report April 20,2008

Posted April 21 2008 by White Convenor

Convenors Report April 21, 2008

It has been quite a season; the closest in my memory. At the end of the season we had 10 points top to bottom with the 5th place team landing 5 points out of First!

The round robin was equally tight – 0-0 and 1-1 tie games. The Fifth place team went undefeated with 9 points and 3 teams were still vying for the final Championship spot on the last day of the Round Robin.

The season’s first place team won with a score of 1 – 0. It took 4 minutes of 3 on 3 over-time to settle the matter. Congratulations to John Stolte and the Labatts Blue Team!

Let me say it here: “the 3 on 3 over-time is the best thing that happened to the Championship game – EVER!”

This year we moved 34 players – this counts equalization trades, injuries, pool player movement and so on. Instead of just placing the next pool player on a team we used it as an opportunity to further equalize the teams – our last equalization move was January 12, 2008. This type of cooperation only comes from having Great Captains that in addition to looking after their own teams, they look after the Division and the League.

I would like to thank the Captains:

Green Heinekens - Mike Wilson: who had the unenviable job of trying to control Ed Venema all year, he had chronic attendance problems but always had a smile on his face. Mike you did a great Job. Thank you!

Kokanee White Caps - Jim Hindley: if the club numbers are up, it was Jim’s team that made it happen. Jim had a number of veterans that came down from the Orange Division, these Gentlemen approached me on Saturday to tell me it was their best season ever – Great Job Jim!

Teal Touborgs – John Cliffe: John probably had the most difficult team to manage and he stepped up and did a great job. Even after being out of contention for the Championship game his team showed a lot of Character, played their hearts out and knocked the Red Stripes out of contention by winning the final game in the Round Robin. John will not be returning as Captain and we will miss his calm quiet nature. John, Thank You!

Black Labels – Gil Verway: I was lucky enough to be on this Rookie Captains team. Our fifth place finish in the season meant nothing; Gil had the team peaking at the round robin – undefeated – with only three goals against in the final 6 games. Gil made sure we sold the Ham and Turkey tickets and our team led the League in Invitational ticket sales. If you went to Gil’s shop and got $100.00 worth of work done you got 3 free invitational tickets – the ticket for the snow blower was given away by Gil! Gil, Thank you for a great season!

Labatts Blue – John Stolte: I can’t say enough about this guy, his team was on top all year and he made 2 separate trades to help equalize the division. John came to me in December and said “We are still too strong – do you want to do something?” I told him “John; the Division record is 35 – 5 and 5 – you are in a position to beat it – go for it” Well he didn’t come close, and in fact we did do the last trade with him in January. John, you are a stand up guy – Thank you!

Red Stripe – Mike Ashley Smith: In November I thought Mike and his team would submarine into the basement – never to be seen again. Some trades and mixing up of some lines turned this team into a true contender, a force to be reckoned with! The guys on his team jelled and came together under his leadership. Mike will be a Co-Convenor next year and I am looking forward to working with him again. Mike - great Job. Thank you!

Next Year we have added Mike Kelly and Steve Shein as Captains. I am looking forward to working with all these guys again next year.

There are not enough words to describe how much I appreciate the hard work from Andrew Griffith and Bruce Marsh. These two Gentlemen have single handedly motivated our guys to step up and volunteer their time, open their hearts and their wallets. You two guys ROCK! I am so happy both of you will be back as Co-Convenors next year.

Lastly I would like to thank Al Dauglis our Pool Convenor, and Paul White our statistician. Al looks at the pool as his own personal team and treats his guys very well indeed. He runs the Pool with email and phone calls and tirelessly gets his guys out to those teams in need of players. Paul ? - wow - what can you say, he not only kept track of points and penalties but also what the call was – he gave us coloured spread sheets that painted a picture of what was really happening. Paul Great Job Thank you!

Gentlemen; have a Safe Summer; we will see you next year.

Don Aro
Convenor White Division