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Bergman to bring Grey Cup home

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One of the county’s largest athletes will host one of Norfolk’s biggest parties on Monday.

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Teeterville’s Shane Bergman – veteran lineman with the Calgary Stampeders – will celebrate his team’s 2018 Grey Cup victory over Ottawa with the trophy on Family Day from 10a.m.-2p.m. at the Teeterville Fire Hall (186 Teeter St.). The event is open to the public – hot dogs, pizza and drinks will be provided.

“It’s super exciting,” said Bergman, whose father Mike is the chief of Norfolk County Station 4. “Everyone has worked pretty hard at this and I’m excited for everyone to show up and have a great day celebrating with Canada’s oldest trophy.”

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Four years ago, Bergman hosted a similar event after Calgary won the CFL title game in Vancouver in Nov. of 2014.

The man known as ‘Big Country’ estimates the first Grey Cup gathering brought upwards of 500 people to the station.

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“It means the world,” the 6-foot-7, 345-pounder said. “Especially for my family and my wife Brianne, I move away for six months and it’s just really exciting that I’m bringing it home to celebrate with them especially. The whole community as well, there’s a lot of (Hamilton) Tiger-Cat fans around here but also a lot of fans of me and Calgary – and fans of the CFL in general. I’m just excited to bring the trophy back to everybody.”

Bergman’s event comes on the heels of a wild opening day of CFL free agency. Star quarterbacks Trevor Harris (Edmonton) and Mike Reilly (B.C.) switched teams on Tuesday. The Waterford District High School grad never did field offers from other teams this off-season, he inked a two-year pact with the Stamps last month.

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“It wasn’t the easiest decision I’ve ever made but my agent said it was the best place for me to be,” Bergman said. “I’m very comfortable there and I’m really excited to be back and have another crack at it.”

While two elite quarterbacks changed teams, the league’s Most Outstanding Player, Calgary pivot Bo-Levi Mitchell is staying put.

Several teams, Toronto among them, were said to have made generous offers but, like Bergman, Mitchell decided Calgary was his best option.

“I sent him a text a while ago but not (Tuesday), I knew his phone would be pretty busy,” Bergman laughed. “I text him after he re-signed. I had an idea he’d be back but there were some competitive offers out there, but his home is in Calgary and I’m happy for him to be back.”

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NSSAA playoffs delayed

Wednesday’s school cancellation due to inclement weather has pushed NSSAA basketball and volleyball playoffs back a day. The girls volleyball finals, which were set to be held Wednesday night will now take place at Holy Trinity with the junior contest (Valley Heights and Holy Trinity) beginning at 6 p.m. and the seniors (Delhi vs. Holy Trinity) to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Trinity will also host the boys basketball semi-finals in the afternoon. The Simcoe Sabres will face Waterford at 1:30 p.m. and the Titans and Delhi Raiders will clash afterwards.
The junior semis will take place at Waterford District High School with the Wolves squaring off with Simcoe at 7:30 p.m. and Delhi and Holy Trinity tipping off at 6 p.m.

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Family Day skate

Royal Bank in Simcoe is hosting a Free Family Day Skate Feb. 18 from 11a.m.-1pm at Talbot Gardens in Simcoe.

Becky Kellar-Duke, a Hagersville native and three-time Olympic gold medalist, will be on hand to meet and greet families during the skate.

Simcoe hosts major fastball event

Simcoe’s Lions Park has been named the host of the Hill United Chiefs Challenge.
In conjunction with the Canadian champion Simcoe Braves minor fastball team, the Chiefs – four-time world champs – will welcome seven of the other top men’s teams in the world to Norfolk June 28-30.

“This location provides all teams with room accommodation within a 5-10 minute drive to the park and with Lions Park featuring three diamonds and great facilities all around it will make for a fantastic venue for a world-class fastball event,” said tournament chair Larry Lynch.

jrobinson@postmedia

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