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The Canadian Champion. Fniday, September 29, 2000 - 19 t.-eworthy back in fold A.- as Decaire leaves Mavs By STEVE LSBLANC The Champion Jim Leworthy thought he'd found a suit- able successor for his Jr. B Mavericks. But whether or flot Dave Decaire was the right per- son to carry on the mantie of leadership for the local Iacmosse team wiIl forever - or at Ieast for the present time - be open for debate. ibis following a series of events that have severely sidetracked the 1999 Founder'a Cup silver medalists. Aliter Milton hosted the national championahipa and finisbed second 10 Edmonton, Lewortby stepped down as head coach and club president in order 10 pursue a new career in the camping industry. Decaire - who'd been acting as general manager for two seasons and had been gmoomed 10 take over - was aIl set to pick up the oeins when a lack of player commitment forced him 10 cancel lthe 2000 semsonr just a week before il was scheduled to begin. He quickly shifted attention 10 the local intemediate squad and expressed optimism about Milton rejoining the Jr. B loop next year. But now those hopes have fallen by the way, with Decaire's expanding business interesîs preventing bim from making enough of a commitment to the team in tbe near future. "I jusî won't be able 10 give thse amount of lime that's needed 10 run a junior club," said Decaire, whose decision 10 leave the Mavericks bas been in tbe works for more than a montb, yet was only finalized two weeks ago. Decaire said he'd be willing 10 belp the team as much as he can, but wiîb his work commitments expected 10 increase dramatically in the next two years he just couldn't remain in charge of the Mavericks. So re-enter Leworlhy, who'll look 10 rebuild the program be created. But since he's unable 10 assume a hands-on role during the sumrmer - due 10 bis camp- ground venture - the local lacrosse guru's Jr. B squad won't be retuming until 2002. "1 can do a lot of work from October 10 April, but past Ibat I'm really not available and with nobody in place yet we juat couldn'î bave bad a tearn for next year," explained Lewortby. The Mavericks' founder wouldn't comment on Decaire's brief stint in charge or bis decision 10 leave the club, other than 10 say he was "disappointed" about how tbings worked ouI. "To go frora national silver medalists 10 Zip is pretty bad,"he said. However, Lewortby did offer a ray of hope for the team's reemergence in two years - stating by thal lime a total of 16 local players will be of junior age, wbicb should form tbe basis for a solid lineup. "Player wise and money wise we sbould be okay," be said. "But will we bave enougb volunteer support? Thaî's the question mark." Lewortby's firsI officiai act since arriving back on the scene came during a Ontario Lacrosse Astociation Jr. B council meeting beld earlier ibis month - wben be voted in favour of new franchises for Oakville, Orangeville and Welland in 2001. He approvcd the bids on the condition Ibat bis own town be allowed 10 return t0 the league tbe following year. 1I really wasn't looking to bave ibis lbrown back in my lap, but t just couldn'tlt il die," said Lewortby. Oldtimers toumney starts today Photo by GRAHAM PAINE The look of success Mllton's Chris Chrlstoforou la ail amile ater winnlng the Lilo Brown Jug et mhe Delaware in Ohio September 21. The accompllshed hamess racer - who lst year set a singie-season benchmark for wlne wllh 643 - wlll look to triumph a litt1e dloser to home when Mohawk Racetrack hoste the Breedere Crown finals ln late October. Milton's SKD Oldslars are once again set 10 invade Memonial Arena. The l9th editirsn of tbeir oId-timers hockey tourna- ment runs Ibis weekend, witb a total of 18 teams in four divisions battling il ouI for annual bragging rigbls - as well as a potential bertb 10 national competilion nexl spring. A change in format Ibis lime around bas teams divided top according 10 age rather than akili level or ranking, with finaliats in each loop qualifying for thse Labata' National Toumnament Challenge. At 5 p.m. today the tournament kicks off with lwo local combatants - the Milton Cenlennials and Bode Belters - squaring off in the 35-and-up age class. Tbirty games will follow, witb lbree olber squads represenling local bopes for gold. Round robin action continues lhrougb unlil laIe Sunday morning, witb the four division championsbip finals following in the afternoon. Proceeds from the lournament will go 10 Milton District Hospital - a long-lime beneficiary of tbe SKD Oldatars - as well as the three local higs achools, Ibat eacb receive $1,000 10 be used for stu- dent scholarships. laudy etme,. 23 ***s 5-1 Satudy Setmr3 9:3 -g 3:3 Motl Fr.. a N t 9e. -. 1:30 LoIw rcr Str e /pae. Mito S I s.ise .al - Lirni e . e of patciat a ............. 7,777-777M i Ëââ.