Youth Involvement February 20/2000   Since 1998, Bluewater saw a need to grow stronger and larger as a club. We also saw that for its future survival and for the sport it needed new and upcoming members. Thus we turned to the area's youth. Initially two members of the Bluewater Club, Rob Hoffman and Erich Freiter led the senior phys.ed.class at the Zurich Public School in May of 1998 to entice interest and yet show the physical attributes of Tug-of-War. The Clinic included stretches, running and lastly a Tug-of-War Competition. In September of that year, Bluewater organized its first youth team at the Milverton Senior Elementary Tug-of-War Championships. This competition had been organized since 1980 and this was the first year the organizers had the Ontario Tug-of-War Association (OTOWA) run it under official guide-lines and rules. Nine boys from Bluewater participated under coach Jim Connolly's guidance. They placed second out of four senior boys teams. In May of 1999, Malcolm Monteith, president of OTOWA, and Erich Freiter went to an "all principals meeting" of the Avon Maitland School Board. They wanted to ask for the approval and support of a pilot project to include Tug-of-War in their physical education program at each of their schools. With their approval, Bluewater members were busy conducting Tug-of-War clinics at several area schools in preparation for the first annual Senior Elementary Boys and Girls Tug-of-War Tournament. The tournament was in conjunction with the Hensall Spring Fair on June 11th. Interest in the sport was phenomenal. It was truly an education for both the students and the teachers. As a result of these clinics the tournament at the fair was a huge success. Four boys' teams (Hensall Public, Stephen Central, Zurich Public and Mt.Carmel/Mc.Curdy) and three girls' teams (Hensall Public, Stephen Central and Usborne Central) contested their skills professionally. Again in September 1999, the Zurich/Bluewater team was present at the Milverton Championship in the senior boys division along with close to eighty other children competing in the in the junior and senior levels. Four boys' teams pulled in the senior division with the Zurich/Bluewater team pulling for gold in a very decisive and professional manner. They brought the large trophy back to Zurich. Many challenges face youth development due to mandated curriculums and the unfamiliarity of the sport from the leaders and teachers even though the spirit is very high among the students. Hopefully, with perseverance and encouragement, popularity of the sport will finally be the driving force for broader acceptance and organization for our youth. Eventually this will provide many new experienced pullers in our Mens' and Ladies' teams that are striving to pull for Canada and beyond at World Championships and maybe some day at the Olympics.   Back to Newsletter Index