Andy Tiedemann is rated by Rugby Canada as one of its young players to watch at the 2010 Churchill Cup.
The 21-year-old prop is entering his second test season after last summer’s impressive debut as the youngest player on Team Canada’s roster. His stint included four caps, highlighted by starts against Wales in a test match in Toronto and the Georgia Lelos and Ireland at the Churchill Cup in Colorado.
Tiedemann is only the second player in the history of the St. Albert Rugby Football Club (SARFC) to ever play for the senior national team and the first to do so in Edmonton on July 11 against the United States Eagles in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying series. Canada’s 41-18 crushing win clinched a spot in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
The high school product of the Paul Kane Blues started in the sport with the Lorne Akins Gators junior high co-ed flag rugby program. His first season of senior rugby with SARFC was with the 2007 second division provincial champions. He also played for the Prairie Wolf Pack last year as part of the Americas Rugby Championship.
Last weekend with the University of Victoria Vikes, Tiedemann celebrated a Rounsefell Cup victory as the Vikes knocked off Meraloma, the defending British Columbia champions, 31-27 in Victoria. He has one year of eligibility left with the Vikes.
Tiedemann will participate in the pre-Churchill training camp starting Sunday at Shawnigan Lake School. Match play dates for Canada are June 5 against Uruguay and June 13 against France A at Glendale, Colorado. The finals are June 19 at Harrison, New Jersey.
Liam Liston and Troy Bourke of the St. Albert Raiders were recognized by the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League’s coaches and managers for their performances during the 2009/10 season.
Liston was the recipient of the Bill Ranford Trophy as the top goalie. The last Raider to win the award was Jamie McLennan in 1987/88.
Liston compiled a league-leading 16-3-3 record and was second in minutes played at 1,238. The Western Hockey League prospect of the Brandon Wheat Kings tied teammate Brad Miller for the lowest GAA at 2.23.
Bourke received the Trevor Linden Trophy as the top forward. The Onoway product finished second in league scoring with 53 points in 34 games. He was the top goal producer at 27, including a league-high 13 on the power play, and tied for the lead in game winners with five. His WHL rights belong to the Prince George Cougars.
The Raiders were also presented with the Cam Ward Award for the least goals against with 80 in 35 games for the 23-6-6 St. Albert team.
Nine black-belts from the Phoenix Taekwondo Club of St. Albert are training for a major competition next month in Swindon, England.
The International Chang-Hon Taekwondo Federation’s 2010 Inter-Continental Tournament will feature the sport’s top athletes from around the world.
The Phoenix black-belts are Meaghan McKenzie (fourth degree), Theresa Preisinger (fourth degree), Deona Johnson (third degree), Lisa Johnson (first degree), Lalo Pardo (second degree), Kelsie Kozakevich (first degree), Aaron Delainey-Christensen (first degree), Alex Shaw (first degree) and Raelene Ghiloni (first degree).
The St. Albert Soccer Association (SASA) and Last Line of Defence are joining forces to provide a valuable training opportunity for young club level keepers.
Joe Corrigan, a former Manchester City and England keeper, will conduct instruction camps at Riel Park from June 28 to 30 and July 5 to 9. Keepers will be grouped by age.
Corrigan was a highly regarded keeper for 20 years before retiring. After gaining his EUFA coaching licence he started training upcoming young professional keepers. At Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and within the England youth system he has also coached some of the world’s best keepers.
Registration forms can be downloaded from www.stalbertsoccer.com and www.lastlineofdefence.com
For more information, contact SASA head coach Graham Wood at 780-458-8973, extension 121, or [email protected]
