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LE A22 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, September 29, 2006 SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sieblanc@haltonsearch.com Bonnici goes out on top with selects Leads team to first league title By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF ne of the measures of a truly good coach is knowing when a team has gone as far as possible under his direction. That often under-appreciated notion is not lost on Louis Bonnici, who this past season was involved with three dif- ferent soccer squads. Among them was the Under-18 select boys, who'd be only to happy to have him back as head coach next year. But after seven seasons at the helm, the 54-year-old Miltonian - who played just one summer of organ- ized soccer growing up - feels that its lime for a change. "I can only teach them so much. Now i think its time someone else come in with fresh ideas," said Septembers Champion Coach of the Month, whos pretty much decided to move on to full-time rep coaching duty next summer. "They'd probably be bet- ter off now with a new coach." That's certainly open for debate, but what's beyond question is that the select boys have come an awful long way under his tutelage. Struggling for much of the previous two seasons, they lost just two games this past year - despite being primarily an Under-17 aged squad - and sent Bonnici out a champion with a 4-2 victory over Oakville in league title play Monday night. This comes about a month after the boys won their only tournament since their first year together. "Even when we'd lose horribly, Lou stuck with us, so now that we've won it all it should make him happy to see how far we've come," said Steve Jackson, one of 10 players still around from the original team seven years ago. Added Bonnici, "It feels really good to sec them go out on top. They really outshone everybody this year." That was due in large part to an unparalleled commitment to clean, skilled play rather than rough-housing - something the seasoned coach bas always been a staunch advocate of. "I've tried to teach them that with enough skill you can beat anyone who faces you, and thats what they did this year," said Bonnici, who stressed that he's had a lot of support from assistants Richard Madge and Dave Haringa, as well as from the parents. According to those same moms and dads, they couldn't have asked for a bet- ter coach for their sons. "He's a role model who through his dedication and commitment Icads the team hy placing emphasis on fair play and team work," stated a nomination letter by parents Berie Jackson, Denise Cooper and Diane Vermette. "With a smile and words of encouragement, Lou has and continues to teach life les- sons that will stead the boys well throughout their lives." Bonnici said that despite taking players from their pre-teen years to adolescence, its never really been diffi- cult to motivate them. Andrew Baynton - one of the team's original players - figures theres a simple explanation for that. "If we did something wrong, Lou corrected us, but he was always more encouraging than critical." Magic-aI finish to great year Uner-1 2 select girls win leagUe heading into the penalty kicks," said head coach David Saliba. "With the rain, mud and an even- championship on penlty kicks tual win, it was one of those games the girls won't soon forget." Milton's Under-12 select girls have added the Stamping their ticket to the league final one crowning jewel to their championship-rich sea- week earlier with a 1-0 decision over Erin Mills son. - thanks to Rebecca Hintons late deposit - the Caked in mud on a rain-soaked Lions Sports Magic were turned back on a number of quality Park Monday night, the CIBC-spon- scoring chances against Brams sored Magic punctuated their Ir United. highly prosperous 2006 cam- î f '± But Vella was every bit as paign - which had already uncharitable with the visitors in a included three straight tourna- back-and-forth clash that was high- ment victories - with the Peel-Halton title. lighted with a huge goal-line denial by left-side That final piece of hardware couldn't have defender CourtneyJohnston. come in more dramatic fashion, as the hosts Despite an abundance of tournament success, eclipsed Brams United 3-2 on penalty kicks aftr the Magics Peel-Halton tîtie Win was far from a battling to a scoreless stalemate through regula- given - as they ended up just fifth in regular- tion and two five-minute extra sessions. season play Distancing themselves from that Christine West, Vanessa Consiglio and Jessie mid-pack finish, the girls won three of four play- Saliba dented the twine, while goalkeeper off games on the way 10 securing league goid. Danielle Vella denied two Brams United shooters They wont spend much tîme basking in the on bottom-corner strikes and the last visiting giow of Mondays titie win, however, as tryouts kicker booted it wide to solidify the champi- for next years Under-13 squad will be held onship for Milton. Sunday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Boyne "We've got some pretty good shooters on this Community Centre on Britannia Road. New team and a strong goalie, s0 i was fairly confident players are welcome to come out. fS Milton Minor Baseball Association CM U AND MAKE AI F T 200 SEASON!!! ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HERE IS A LIST OF POTENTIAL POSITIONS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL 2007 SEASON... Uniforms - Town Liaison and Scheduler - Rural Liaison o c Saturday, October 14, 2006 - Umpire in Chief - Championship day - Picture day - Tournament - Registration - Sponsors - z Milton Sports Centre Trophies - House league conveners - Rep Convener - Equipment Manager - OBA Regirar - P I Meeting room #4 Computer Guru - Web site Overseer - Mail Box - Hot line - Coaches Training (rep and/or house 9:3Oam taioOameague) Player development and training 993- /O-44ðð~ or visit us online at www.milton-baseball.org