This letter, below, came by email to Mr. Harris, from the referee of the Girls soccer team's gold medal game at OFSAA on Saturday.
Winning gold is great, but this is a prize that lasts.......
Way to go, girls: you've made us so proud!
Hello Ted
My name is Paul Dobson,
and I had the honour of officiating the Gold Medal game at the recent OFSSA tournament
in which Smithville Christian High School won the Gold medal.
I would like to take
this time to share with you a few thoughts in hopes that you will share these
with the staff and students of your fine school.
During the tournament I
officiated the semi final and Gold medal games both of which your Smithville
girls played in. I was extremely pleased with and impressed by the way they
presented themselves both on and off the field. During the pregame, the game,
after each game and any time between games that I observed your team players,
they were what I would call a true team. They were the most cordial winners I
can recall seeing in any tournament (either school or club) in my 30 years as a
referee. I truly enjoyed every minute of the games I officiated that they were
involved in. They showed respect to the game, to the referees, their opponents
and most importantly to themselves.
You should all be
extremely proud of each and everyone of these young ladies as well as the
coaching staff for both the accomplishments on the field and how they
represented you and your school during their time in the Elgin/Portland area.
I wish continued success
to your school and especially to these fine young ladies in their pursuit of
their goals in life.
Respectfully Yours,
Paul Dobson
Referee and Vice
President of the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association