Dartmouth Ringette Carries the Torch
The Dartmouth Ringette Association is proud to have two of its members carrying the Olympic torch through Dartmouth-Halifax the week of November 16th. Under-10 coach, Steve Giles and Under-19 player, Janel Anthony will both honour the nation by continuing the torch's journey across the country, destined for Vancouver.
Steve
Steve is an Olympic bronze-medalist, who competed as a flatwater canoer for Canada through the early 1990s and into the mid 2000s. He became involved with the sport of ringette when his daughter, Macy, took an interest. "Macy's cousins played in Spryfield and loved it. We used to take Macy to her games and when she was old enough we took her to a Come Try Ringette event. Once she got the desire to get the ring, there was no looking back.
"I have always felt that sport can be a really positive experience for kids", said Giles. "It allows them to develop not only specific skills related to their sport but to develop important life skills like commitment, dedication, good sportsmanship, and a love of physical activity. For me, sport was always more about trying hard to do my best and making myself as good as I could be rather than trying to win races. I am really hoping that I can help instill those values in my team".
On his own experience with competitive sport, Steve said, "If I have learned one thing about sport through my own competitive experience it is that there is so much more to it than winning or being the best. At the end of my career I could look back on 16 years of World Championship racing and 20 years of daily training and think of two things. The first is that there was one day in 1998 where I was the absolute best in the world and stood on top of the World Championship podium. The second is that I worked hard everyday, always strived for improvement and never gave up on myself. For me, the second was always more fulfilling".
Janel
Janel, a 16-year old Grade 11 student at Sir John A. Macdonald High School was given the opportunity to carry the torch by former employer, Halifax Regional Municipality. "I was a day counsellor for HRM's summer camp. The first thing I thought when asked to carry the torch was, 'Wow, this is amazing!' I was so excited and I get more excited as the day approaches. I have watched the carrying of the torch on TV, but never thought I might some day actually have the opportunity".
Janel started as a figure skater and was introduced to ringette by friends. "After a year of watching their games a few times, I signed up and left figure skating. This is my seventh year. I started as a first-year Under-12 player". At that, Janel's figure-skating days came to an end. She has played on the provincial host team (2006 and 2007), and in both years the team went to the Eastern Canadian ringette championships. "My experiences with this sport have been absolutely fantastic. The people I have met are incredible. And it has given me the opportunity to travel for tournaments in PEI, Ottawa, New Brunswick, and Quebec.
"Ringette is an amazing sport. I would encourage everyone to play it. It's fun and the friendships you make are ones to last a lifetime. I will never forget the people I have met as a result".
Steve will carry the torch through the Waverley Road/Shubie Park area on Wednesday November 18th, and Janel through the Citadel Hill/Bell Road area on Friday November 20th. Congratulations, Steve and Janel! You are both positive role models for children of all ages and sports, and Dartmouth Ringette is grateful to have each of you as part of our community. We'll be cheering you on!
And now, for some fun facts about Janel and Steve...
Who has been most influential in your participation in sport?
Janel: My coaches; in particular, my Dad who has coached me
Steve: My Coach Tony Hall who started coaching me when I was 12 and stayed with me until I retired at 32.
What do you like to do when not at the rink?
Janel: Hang out with my friends, go shopping, and travel to different places
Steve: Play with my own kids, fix up the house and of course, go to work
What's your favourite ice cream?
Janel: chocolate chip cookie dough
Steve: chocolate - anything with chocolate
Favourite colour?
Janel: purple
Steve: red
Favourite band/artist?
Janel: I don't actually have a favourite; I love lots of artists
Steve: Right now its Matt Mays
Favourite number?
Janel: 15 and 54
Steve: 2
Broccoli - yummy or blecky?
Janel: Blecky!
Steve
Steve is an Olympic bronze-medalist, who competed as a flatwater canoer for Canada through the early 1990s and into the mid 2000s. He became involved with the sport of ringette when his daughter, Macy, took an interest. "Macy's cousins played in Spryfield and loved it. We used to take Macy to her games and when she was old enough we took her to a Come Try Ringette event. Once she got the desire to get the ring, there was no looking back.
"I have always felt that sport can be a really positive experience for kids", said Giles. "It allows them to develop not only specific skills related to their sport but to develop important life skills like commitment, dedication, good sportsmanship, and a love of physical activity. For me, sport was always more about trying hard to do my best and making myself as good as I could be rather than trying to win races. I am really hoping that I can help instill those values in my team".
On his own experience with competitive sport, Steve said, "If I have learned one thing about sport through my own competitive experience it is that there is so much more to it than winning or being the best. At the end of my career I could look back on 16 years of World Championship racing and 20 years of daily training and think of two things. The first is that there was one day in 1998 where I was the absolute best in the world and stood on top of the World Championship podium. The second is that I worked hard everyday, always strived for improvement and never gave up on myself. For me, the second was always more fulfilling".
Janel
Janel, a 16-year old Grade 11 student at Sir John A. Macdonald High School was given the opportunity to carry the torch by former employer, Halifax Regional Municipality. "I was a day counsellor for HRM's summer camp. The first thing I thought when asked to carry the torch was, 'Wow, this is amazing!' I was so excited and I get more excited as the day approaches. I have watched the carrying of the torch on TV, but never thought I might some day actually have the opportunity".
Janel started as a figure skater and was introduced to ringette by friends. "After a year of watching their games a few times, I signed up and left figure skating. This is my seventh year. I started as a first-year Under-12 player". At that, Janel's figure-skating days came to an end. She has played on the provincial host team (2006 and 2007), and in both years the team went to the Eastern Canadian ringette championships. "My experiences with this sport have been absolutely fantastic. The people I have met are incredible. And it has given me the opportunity to travel for tournaments in PEI, Ottawa, New Brunswick, and Quebec.
"Ringette is an amazing sport. I would encourage everyone to play it. It's fun and the friendships you make are ones to last a lifetime. I will never forget the people I have met as a result".
Steve will carry the torch through the Waverley Road/Shubie Park area on Wednesday November 18th, and Janel through the Citadel Hill/Bell Road area on Friday November 20th. Congratulations, Steve and Janel! You are both positive role models for children of all ages and sports, and Dartmouth Ringette is grateful to have each of you as part of our community. We'll be cheering you on!
And now, for some fun facts about Janel and Steve...
Who has been most influential in your participation in sport?
Janel: My coaches; in particular, my Dad who has coached me
Steve: My Coach Tony Hall who started coaching me when I was 12 and stayed with me until I retired at 32.
What do you like to do when not at the rink?
Janel: Hang out with my friends, go shopping, and travel to different places
Steve: Play with my own kids, fix up the house and of course, go to work
What's your favourite ice cream?
Janel: chocolate chip cookie dough
Steve: chocolate - anything with chocolate
Favourite colour?
Janel: purple
Steve: red
Favourite band/artist?
Janel: I don't actually have a favourite; I love lots of artists
Steve: Right now its Matt Mays
Favourite number?
Janel: 15 and 54
Steve: 2
Broccoli - yummy or blecky?
Janel: Blecky!
Dartmouth Ringette Association
