The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, January 23, 2013 · 20 Bekker trained in Europe and with Toronto FC before being drafted Continued from page 18 have things like that holding us back. We go overseas and are looked at as foreign. We can't get citizenship. Then we come back here and are playing in our own league (the MLS), and we're still foreign," Bekker said. "If it was an all-American league, I'd have no problem with it. But now, we have three big teams in the league with huge fan support, who bring a lot to the league. I think (the rule is) something that needs to be changed." Bekker knows a thing or two about the challenges faced by international soccer players. He once trained for six months with the AFC Ajax Dutch team before European work permits got in the way, and he was working out last year with Crystal Palace FC in England before the same issue arose. In fact, had he been able to obtain a work permit in Europe, Bekker likely wouldn't have opted for the MLS. That said, Bekker said he is thrilled to be joining a team that he's very familiar with, having trained with Toronto FC last summer before his senior year at Boston College. "I've definitely followed them. I know some of the guys on the team, I've been watching their progress and seeing how they're doing. Now it's an honour to come back home," Bekker said. "At the end of the day, all I wanted to do was to be picked up by a team and be a professional and start my career. Obviously, it's more special now that my family and friends will be out there each and every week watching me play." Bekker's advancement to the MLS is just the latest accomplishment for members of his childhood Oakville Soccer Club squad, the Phil Iafrati-coached Blue Stars. Many players on the team, which won a national club under-14 championship in 2004, went on to play at the university level in Canada and the U.S. Six suited up for Canadian youth teams, and Blue Stars alumnus Evan James joined Bekker on the national U23 squad that reached the semifinals at last year's Olympic qualifying tournament. In addition to being drafted by Toronto FC last week, Bekker was called up to the senior national team Friday for an upcoming camp in Arizona and Texas. The 22-man Canadian team will also play a pair of international friendlies; Jan. 26 in Tucson, AZ versus Denmark and Jan. 29 in Houston, TX versus the U.S. The Jan. 29 game will be broadcast in Canada on Sportsnet, beginning at 9 p.m. OAKVILLE LACROSSE REGISTRATION Registration 2013 Season Toronto Rock Training Center ­ 1132 Invicta Dr., Oakville Off of North Service Rd. between Trafalgar Rd. & Joshua Creek Arena All registration will take place @ Girls Field Lacrosse - Mini Hawks to U19 - $260.00 Jr. & Sr. Peanut Box Lacrosse - $185.00 Tyke to Intermediate Box Lacrosse - $260.00 Saturday, January 26th ­ 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Saturday, February 2nd - 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Saturday, February 9th ­ 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Wednesday, February 13th ­ 6:00pm ­ 9:00pm (evening) Cash or Cheque accepted. 3% additional charge if paid by Credit Card. No debit machine on premises. REGISTRATION FEE REGISTRATION DATES: NOTE: ALL NEW PLAYERS (BOX & FIELD) REQUIRE A PROOF OF AGE BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT OR NEW HEALTH CARD If you have any questions or require further information please contact our registrar at registrar@oakvillelacrosse.com Call Alycia at 905-845-3824 ext. 278 ahowe@oakvillebeaver.com HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTION PAINTING ATTENTION PROFESSIONAL ROOFERS: THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS Home Renovations/Additions Drywall speciality/Taping Experience in custom building gives that added touch to big or small jobs Electrical/plumbing/carpentry guarantees quick precise completion of your reno or addition. Remodel a kitchen/bathroom/ basement install new cabinets & counters/tiling Inter-Can Painting Inc. · Plaster Repair · Stucco · Interior/Exterior · Personalized Service · Free Estimate Hubert Klein (owner) PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS Reno/Handyman PAINTING & WALLPAPERING Royal DECORATING LTD. SERVING OAKVILLE SINCE 1963 Over 30 Years In Business (905) 469-0092 1426 Wallace Rd. #3, Oakville · RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST · INTERIOR & EXTERIOR · CUSTOM COLOUR MIXING · RESTORATIONS · PLASTER REPAIRS & TEXTURING QUALITY WORKMANSHIP BY QUALIFIED TRADESMEN COMPLETE PAINTING & WALLPAPERING SERVICE Start Your New Year With A Fresh Marketing Plan! Call Alycia Today! 289-337-1171 · jchartrand12@cogeco.ca DECORATING & COLOUR CONSULTANTS (905) 827-5584 ALVIN T. JONES