b'Thursday November 7Teamwork makes the dream work13-women Ringette team entering Scugog Sports Hall of FamePort Perry IGA Ringette Team, the 1994-1995 All-Ontario Junior A Champions. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIANNE HOOKERBack Row: (from left) Brian Shanley (assistant coach), Jennifer Nolan (Elliot), Brooke Riopel (Shanley), Janine Hammond, Janna Senyk, Bonni-Jo Tutton (Norton), Natasha Burgess, Walter Senyk (coach), Dianne Hooker (assistant coach).Front Row: (from left) Laurie Senyk (manager), Shona Parliament (Moase), Lisa Bonser, Cara Maltby (Vander Slagt), Kat Senyk, Diane Lusted (Vanderligt), Laura Heasman (Hooker), Dana Johnston (Hooker).I could tell you, we were pretty discouraged, saysway through the round robin, defeating the competition, Cara Maltby, who was a winger for the 1994/95 Port Perryearningtheirwayintotheplayoffswhichmeantre-IGA Juniors Ringette Team. Only 16 at the time, she wasmatches versus the dreaded Seaforth and Pembroke teams.one of the 13 women at the All-Ontario ChampionshipWith confidence, commitment and focus at all-time tournament in Sudbury, Ont., where things werent goinghighs, they fought for the crowd, coaches and each other as planned. to overcome the toughest teams and win the 1995 All-They were beat 75 in their first match against aOntario Ringette Championships.daunting Pembroke team whod only lost a single gameKatcanstillrecalltheirparents,siblingsandex-all season. The only team to beat Pembroke was Seaforth,tended familys cheers. I remember a collective cry, tears who defeated Port Perry in their second game, 84.of joy and shock at the end of the final game! she says. I remember losing the first two games, leaving theHonestly, I still get emotional when I go into arenas.arena defeated, (feeling like) the tournaments over, (thatThe experience has helped forge lifelong memories. wed) never make it to the final, recalls centre LauraWeve all maintained a solid friendship, says Cara. We Heasman, then 15.dont talk about it much, or ever, but the ups and downs, With no room for error, they spent the night regroup- the times we spent togetherwe built a foundation thats ing and watching game tape. During a team-only meetinglasted so many years.led by captain Shona Moase, the young ladies refocusedHelp celebrate the 1994/95 Port Perry IGA Junior A and committed themselves to digging deep and findingRingetteTeamduringtheirinductionintotheScugog the confidence for a big run. SportsHallofFameonNovember7,attheScugog During their time together, theyd experienced manyCommunity Recreation Centre, 1655 Reach St., Port Perry. losses, but the coaching staff never let them get too downDoors open at 6 p.m., ceremony begins at 7 p.m.on themselves. Coaches Walter Senyk, Dianne Hooker,Join the Township of Scugog in also celebrating hockey Brian Shanley and manager Laurie Senyk went abovestandout Casey Vanschagen, former Port Perry District and beyond to rally the team together.MinorSoftballpresidentCarolynBest, [The coaches] taught us to never quit, and to workand the Warriner Curling Team.harder after a failed attempt, says goalie Kat Senyk, thenFree to attend, this memorable event only 15. We were even hungrier to succeed and to proveis suitable for the whole family, and in-ourselves.cludes a cash bar, silent auction and a per-The following morning they returned to the rink fo- formance by guest speaker and comedian cused and prepared. We always played better as under- Freddy Proia Freddy Proia.dogs, I dont know why, admits Kat. By Ryan Rogers,Battling fatigue and the odds, Port Perry thrashed theirScugog Sports Hall of Fame, special to Focus on ScugogFor more information on the Scugog Sports Hall of Fame Committee, or to nominate an athlete or builder worthy of induction, visit Scugog.ca/SportsHallofFame,call 905-985-8698 or email scornish@scugog.ca. 14 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2019'