Bluewater women's pullers win bronze Jim Connolly (Coach), Ginger McColl, Hilart Hogarth, Julie McLeod, Cheryl Thompson, Jen Moxham Julia Burton, Shelly Hayter, Kelly Clark, Kristy Butler, Darlene O'Rourke BY LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Lakeshore Advance staff writer    DASHWOOD - This is a first for Canadian women and the first time Canadians have come home with a medal since the mid 1800s but the Bluewater Tug of War woman's team have done it. Competing in the women's 520kg class the local girls came home from Pretoria, South Africa with the bronze. There were 15 teams entered in this weight class. "We were up against the top team from the other pool - another club from South Africa. Unfortunately, our 484kg team could not quite match their 518kg team which put us into the bronze medal rounds where we met another team from Wales. It was quite a pull but they were no match for us as we crushed them in two straight ends," said Kristi Butler. South Africa is the third world event for four of the tuggers and captain Julia Burton said this was the best hosted event they have been to. They were in England in 2000 and Minnesota in 1998. The England competition resulted in the team coming in fifth, an amazing feat for the team. For South Africa they wanted to match or do better than that. Captain Julia Burton, Darlene O'Rourke, Jen Moxham and Julie McLeod have been with the team since conception six years ago. Hilary Hogarth, Kelly Clark, Shelly Hayter, Cheryl Thompson, Kristy Butler and Ginger McColl are newcomers. "This was an eye opener," said Hayter,"It was like being at the Olympics. Hogarth, who is 18 and the youngest on the team said it was overwhelming from the opening ceremonies to the royal treatment they received from the moment they got there. The team said the volunteers at the event helped them in a tremendous way. "They made this a professional event and we were prepared," said Burton. The team gives much credit to their coach Jim Connolly. Both the men and woman's team practice three times a week and their coach volunteers his time, coming to Dashwood from London. Burton said she has taught them to work as a team and to always be professional, no matter what the situation brings. She says they are a very committed team. Once in South Africa, the team was amazed by the pristine surroundings and 30 degree temperatures. There was no language barrier as everyone spoke English except one team from Spain. If there was a frustrating element it was unanimous the lack of fanfare from Canada was blatant. Both the mens and women teams finance their trips by fundraising or roofing jobs. They are disappointed Canada doesn't recognize this sport with funding.Other countries support their tug teams with 100 per cent financial support, but Canada doesn't seem to pay much credence to this sport which is now an Olympic recognized sport. The teams represent the country with flags and wearing Canada proudly, but pay for everything out of their own pockets. The teams have been given a couple of months off and will then train getting ready for the International tug in Centralia scheduled for June 2003.    Back to Newsletter Index