Sunday, September 30, 2012

QWVB Take on the West

This weekend marked the first team trip out of province for the 2012-2013 season. As a first year, this trip to Winnipeg is one I've been looking forward to. There is no better way to get to know your teammates than travelling on the road. Although the travel days are long, nothing beats the first night's sleep in the hotel (especially after living in residence for a month!).

I wasn't sure what to expect from the competition on day one because three of the five teams we haven't seen before. After this weekend I can say that I am confident that Queens can take on any team once we get back to the ARC and work out some kinks.

Although time spent on the court and cheering from the bench during competition is fun, the best times had as a team often happen off the court. The first night the team took over Moxie's to get a good meal before the first day of competition. The steak and salad was good but I think that most people would agree with me that the third night's dinner at Sorrento's Italian Eatery was the favourite of the weekend. It was safe to say that the team left with full stomachs (a little pre-thanksgiving prep).

Heading into day there the team agreed that we were leaving the West with a win and thats exactly what we did. After winning the first set against Mount Royal University and then dropping the second, the girls came together and pulled out a win which would send us home with two victories. Now it's time to head back and face the long night ahead on our way back to Kingston.

I can't wait until the team's next tournament as we are at home and get to represent the Gaels in the ARC.

Until next time!

-Becky

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Kick off to the 2012-13 season!

September 23, 2012


Shannon [Walsh]'s Scoop:

Wow. 4th year already! It seems like only yesterday I was a naive first year walking into the great unknown they call "university". Three years have flown by, and with my forth season already getting started, I can tell it will go by quickly as well.  Although the team has transformed a lot since I started, the names of people on the team are remaining fairly consistent.  Now, with a bunch of baby-Shannons on the team, I finally understand the troubles all the Katies were having before!

One tournament down, and we are already getting a good feeling of what the 2012-13 season is going to be like! This past weekend at Ryerson University has been a success in getting to know each other both on and off the court.  A 3rd place finish tells two things: 1), not too shabby! and 2), still lots of room for improvement.  The short turn-over this week before Winnipeg will involve plenty of reps and preparation for the tournament this upcoming weekend.

The fun we were having while playing translated over into the downtime we were spending with each other between games.  Between homework and tv-shows and dinners with family, we had three days stuck together on a bus and in a hotel to be around each other! A big thanks to Ali Shamie's family for inviting us over to have post-game sandwiches and h'orderves!  I'm sure they were appreciated greatly after a big win against Windsor on Saturday night.

Here's our first team photo from the den at Ali's house, just after a little presentation "Gagnam Style".  Lookin' good!
 

 
[Can you spot the special guest in the photo?] 

Until next weekend --

Take care!

Shannon.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Waiting for game day


One of the most profound emotions I've felt this season has been impatience. Not with athletes or coaching staff or administration. They have all been exceptional - as usual. It's odd, since as a coach I've always felt like slowing things down was the best option since we usually want MORE time to work on strategies and tactics before the actual performance demands of a game.

No, this season has been different for many reasons. Not the least of which is because we're so darn excited to play! At times I think that it would be nice to slow things down and to savour the moments I treasure with players - a chat on the bus, the brillance of seeing a player be successful in the application of a new skill, the last pass before the try, the redshirts working their tails off so they can be on the field next year, an in-depth conversation about strategy with one of my coaching colleagues - and then I think of how far away game day is and just want to hit the fast forward button.

And, man...it's only Wednesday...7pm kickoff at Trent this Friday!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Women's Basketball - Game Report

Hi Folks,

We have our first game under our belts as we hosted St. Lawrence College of Kingston as part of our Alumni weekend festivities. We dressed 14 players for the game (Meaghan MacDougall is still rehabilitating her legs) and each managed to record a point (we scored 74 to St. Lawrence’s 29) and all but one recorded a rebound (67-37 on the boards). No question, adding size to our roster helped in this category, which included 19 offensive rebounds.

See the game report at: http://www.gogaelsgo.com/news/2012/9/22/WBB_0922124851.aspx?path=wbball

Following the game, we had our Reception and Silent Auction, with over 70 people in attendance. We recognized team members from the 5 year block (1980-81 to 84-85 teams) including: Ellie Jones-Cleave, Kelly Massingham (now Pfenning), Karen McComber (now Graham), Jenny Quail (now Pendlebury), and Lynn Southcott. Kelly spoke on behalf of the group, entertaining the gathering with stories from her playing days. Apparently, me driving a 15 passenger van, in the dead of night, in the middle of winter, was not a highlight of their careers. How things have changed.

Our Silent Auction was another huge success, thanks to the generosity of our parents, family, friends, and the local business community who generously provided auction items. And, of course, to those in attendance who bid on the fantastic items up for auction.

Last weekend we held our annual team retreat at a cottage on the St. Lawrence River. It provided the perfect setting to begin our team-building process. No question, this group has a great sense of humour!

This Friday/Saturday (September 28-29) we will be hosting the 27th Annual Tricolour Basketball Tournament for High School Senior Girls. Sixteen teams from across the province will compete for the championship including local teams from Frontenac, LaSalle, Regi & Bayridge High Schools.

Up Next on the Road:
October 12-14 – Bishop’s Tournament (Lennoxville, Quebec)

Up Next at Home:
October 19-21 – Queen’s Tindall Tournament (Queen’s, Trinity Western, Guelph & UQAM)

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Cheers,

Dave.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Women's Basketball - Update

Hi Folks,

We are underway and I am confident the season will be a very exciting one. Our roster was officially selected earlier this week and includes:

Name Pos. Ht. Elig. Hometown

Liz Boag G 5-3 3 Kingston
Emily Hazlett G 5-6 1 Fredericton, NB
Rachael Urosevic G 5-7 2 Kitchener
Lisa Minutillo G 5-8 3 Brantford
Laura Baker W 5-10 1 West Vancouver, BC
Gemma Bullard W 5-10 2 Guelph
Meaghan MacDougall G 5-9 3 Martintown
Maria Gill P 6-1 1 Holland Landing
Sydney Kernahan P 5-11 4 Calgary, AB
Nicole Morse P 6-0 1 Cottam
Hanna Koposhynska P 6-2 4 Toronto
Robyn Pearson P 6-0 1 Toronto
Jenny Wright W 5-10 2 Kingston
Emma Stallwood W 5-11 2 Hamilton
Claire Endicott P 6-1 1 Guelph

Head Coach: Dave Wilson (31st season)
Assist. Coach: James Bambury (1st)
Assist. Coach: Bob Freeman (3rd)
Student Trainer: Gillian Kyle & AleksandraVelickovic


Our first game is scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at 4pm vs. St. Lawrence College (recent change) as part of our Alumni Weekend events. Our Alumni vs. Alumni game will precede this at 2pm. Following our game is a 6pm Reception & Silent Auction at Alfie’s Pub on campus, where you will have an opportunity to sample four different wines from a local winery, The Grange and two different local beers from Barley Days brewery. We have a huge array of auction items ranging from electronics to clothing to sculptures, gift baskets to gift certificates and more. To register for the event please go to: http://www.gogaelsgo.com/sports/2011/8/19/WBB_0819114220.aspx?path=wbball

Minor adjustments to the Alumni Weekend events : Ford is not able to provide the vehicle testing as planned, and Morrisville State did not receive NCAA sanctioning for their out-of-country trip. As mentioned above, St. Lawrence College will be our opponent – with the added benefit of featuring some other great local talent. Registration for the event, in addition to a game ticket and access to the Reception & Silent Auction, also secures you a free Yoga session Sunday morning in the ARC.

We have also established our exhibition games in Puerto Rico at Christmas, playing UPR Rio Piedras on December 29th and UPR Bayamon on January 2nd.

It is a busy September as we head off to our cottage retreat this weekend to continue the team-building process. Next weekend is the Alumni weekend (Sept. 22-23), followed by our annual High School basketball tournament on the 28th & 29th. The players organize and run the 16 team tournament.

That will take us through to Thanksgiving weekend, where the players will enjoy a chance to catch their breath before beginning the heart of our exhibition schedule.

First up will be a trip to Lennoxville to play in the Bishop’s University tournament (October 12-14).
Follow our complete schedule on our web site at: www.queensbasketball.net

Lastly, we are in the midst of launching a new Facebook page – should be up next week. A search of: Queen’s University Women’s Basketball should find us.

That’s it for now.

All the best.

Dave.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

2012 Season underway

Here we go again. Another season is upon us. With it, come expectations of success. Our long-term team goals are clear. Our short-term team goals are clear. Individual goals are set. We now must work together to achieve them, and leave everything on the pitch day in and day out.

Home opener is today (September 2, 2012) @ 2:15 p.m. at new West Campus Turf Field. Come support your Gaels Men's Soccer Team.

Our time is now...

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Women's Rugby 2012

Hello all,

After a whirlwind two week training camp and tour, we are ready to finalize our preparation for the 2012 OUA season. We started training earlier than ever in an effort to prepare for our exhibition tour to Alberta this year - the players are prepped and ready to go and the coaching staff is focussed on how to achieve our potential this year.

The Alberta preseason tour was facilitated with the help of the University of Lethbridge and University of Calgary. While in Alberta, we were able to run joint training with the Pronghorns and their staff and contested a scrimmage and game during our stay. We also were able to do a short sightseeing side trip to Waterton Lakes National Park for great photo opportunities! We finished up back in Calgary for our final exhibition and had a guest coach, Graeme Moffat, come to work with the team.

The team is feeling well-prepared and focussed going into our first game with Brock University. Game time has been changed to 5:30pm to facilitate officials and lighting. Please come and join us for the first game on the brillant new Nixon Field!

All the best,
Beth