SPORTS
editionap.ca
Tools for greatness STÉPHANE LAJOIE stephane.lajoie@eap.on.ca
on Team Canada. “In life, you often learn from yours and others’ mistakes, but how awesome and inspiring is it to learn from someone’s thriving attitude and determina- tion?”, said Doug Kego. “At first, we helped him raise money for a new handcycle. But we wanted to do more and truly give him something that would make him as inde- pendent as possible. The vehicle is perfect for that, for training and real life situations.” Equipped with Sure-Grip hand controls for maximum safety, the van quickly be- came an asset to Joey Desjardins’ routine. “With my hatchback car, it was a hassle to always have to reassemble everything and it was time consuming,” said the athlete. Now, transportation isn’t an issue anymore and I can concentrate on my training.” Sponsored by Rendez-Vous Nissan, the Rotary Club and the Hawkesbury Hawks, the van is Joey’s for the next three years. With racing decals on the side, it will also be a promoting tool for the cyclist, who wants to make an impact at the Miami and Mel- bourne marathons in 2015. “A lot of racers that are at the interna- tional level will be there and it will be an
HAWKESBURY | Paralympic athlete Joey Desjardins is overwhelmed by the sup- port he gets from the community and his motivation is through the roof for his next races in Florida. This fall, his train- ing and transportation got a lot sweeter, courtesy of Rendez-Vous Nissan, who jumped at the opportunity to sponsor him with a modified vehicle, a NV200 compact cargo van. “This is just plain awesome,” said the ath- lete who lost the use of his legs after a mo- tocross accident in 2006. “Now I can bring my bike without disassembling it all the time and the same goes for my wheelchair. The van also has a low-sitting floor, which is perfect for me. I just put everything in it and jump in the driver’s seat.” When Rendez-Vous Nissan’s owner Doug Kego learned about Joey’s incredible story of determination, he definitely wanted to help the athlete in his quest for a spot
Photo Stéphane Lajoie
Joey Desjardins’ new van isn’t just a vehicle for transportation, it’s also a tool for training, promotion and an all-round better life. Joey Desjardins’ new van, courtesy of Rendez-Vous Nissan, isn’t just a vehicle for transportation, it’s also a tool for training, promotion and an all-round better life.
opportunity to feel the pressure of a big time competition and also one to show what I am capable of,” said Joey. “The standard for Team Canada is around 35 ki- lometers per hour for a 15-kilometer distance and I’m up to 32 per hour. It’s coming along and the support of the community is a big plus. I’m really grateful and can’t thank everybody enough.” Last week, Joey Desjar-
dins rolled on the ice of the Robert Hartley Sports Complex for the ceremonial faceoff before the Hawks-Colts game. He also met with the fans to discuss fitness, determina- tion and how you need to conquer adver- sity to reach greatness. “Joey has great aspirations and truly is an inspiration,” said Doug Kego. “How great would that be if he becomes a champion? I know he will go far with his dream and we shall all learn from that.” This week, Joey met with Canada’s para- cycling coordinator, Arnaud Litou, for a grueling fitness assessment. “I’m in the best shape of my life, but he pushed me hard to the limit!” said the athlete with a smile. “He’s helping me transitioning until I find a high-
performance trainer.” With winter knocking at the door, Joey is training more inside but will trade wheels for skis in the upcoming months to shake up the routine a little bit. “I’m still in school at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall but, little by little, everything is falling into place for bigger things to come. I’m eying the 2015 Défi sportif road and beat the clock races in May, at the Gilles Vil- leneuve circuit in Montreal, where I will be able to rack up points and try for the stan- dards. I still can’t believe how supportive the community has been over the course of the last year and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without the help of everybody. I’m grateful and I’m putting in all my efforts.”
Submitted photo
Joey Desjardins dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff before the Hawks- Colts game on December 12.
COMPLEXE SPORTIF ROBERT HARTLEY SPORTS COMPLEX 425 Cartier Blvd, Hawkesbury Tel: 613-636-2082 www.hawkesbury.ca HORAIRE DU TEMPS DES FÊTES / HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Du 22 au 30 dé c emb r e 201 4 / De c embe r 22 t o 30 , 201 4
Remi Elie retranché
PICK UP HOCKEY LIBRE Moins de 11 ans / 11 years and younger
PISCINE / POOL Adultes 16 ans et plus/ Adults 16 years and older
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Pour le public/ For public
12 ans et plus / 12 years and older
3:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. Casque protecteur avec grille obligatoire pour tous Helmet with full face protection is mandatory for everyone
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Les enfants de 9 ans et moins doivent être accompagnés d’un adulte
Children 9 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult LE PORT DU BONNET DE BAIN EST OBLIGATOIRE BATHING CAPS ARE MANDATORY LES ACTIVITÉS SONT GRATUITES LE 28 DÉCEMBRE ACTIVITIES ARE FREE ON DECEMBER 28
PATIN GRATUIT / FREE SKATE
Gracieuseté de / Courtesy of TIM HORTONS Pour le public/ For public 1:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Photo d’archives
L’ancien porte-couleur des Hawks, Remi Elie, a été retranché du camp d’entraînement d’Équipe Canada Junior cette semaine. L’ailier gauche de Green Valley retourne donc à son équipe de L’OHL, les Bulls de Belleville, où il a amassé 12 buts et 19 passes en 30 matchs. Rappelons que le numéro est un choix de deuxième ronde (2013) des Stars de Dallas.
Casque protecteur obligatoire pour les 15 ans et moins Protective helmet is compulsory for 15 yrs and younger parrainé en partenariat avec sponsored in partnership with Coût / Cos t : 5 ans e t p l us / 5 yea r s and o l de r : $3 . 00 Le Complexe sportif Robert Hartley sera fermé les 24, 25, 26, 31 décembre 2014 ainsi que les 1 et 2 janvier 2015. The Robert Hartley Sports Complex will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, 31, 2014 and January 1 and 2, 2015. JOYEUSES FÊTES ******** HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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