The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page
NEW COACH HAS AMAZING CREDENTIALS
Princeton Figure Skating Club has a new coach.
Ken Babington comes to Princeton from Penticton and has an impressive resume.
With over 30 years coaching experience, Babington has coached Junior, Senior and World competitors.
"Gold figures, Gold free, Gold dance and Gold pairs," he says.
"I hold a Masters Coaching Diploma issued by the International Skating Union and have extensive knowledge of choreography."
If that's not enough, he is also a power skating coach and certified skate sharpener and skate fitter.
As for his life before coaching, Babington represented Great Britain at European and World Competitions, was part of Junior and Senior Pairs Champion teams in Great Britain and was the North of England Senior Men's Champion.
Babington was also the principle skater in the European Division of Holidays On Ice; Head Coach and National Pairs Coach in Nottingham, England; Co-Head Coach in Altricham, England; Freelance Coach in Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and Summerland; Head Coach in Osoyoos; Head Coach in Houston, Texas; Head Coach, Program Director and Manager in Edmond, Oklahoma and most recently a Freelance Coach in Penticton.
According to Haig Oundjian, Chief Executive of the National Ice Skating Association of UK, Babington had many accomplishments in competitive skating.
He was Great Britain Pairs Champion in 1964; Runner-Up Pairs (1967 and 1968) and Northern/Midland Mens Singles Champion in 1967.
"Mr. Babington turned professional in 1968 and coached in this country until 1979," Oundjian says.
"During those years he was the coach to Jayne Torvill from 1970 to 1973."
He has also coached Michael Hutchinson, Robin Cousins and Tara Lipinski.
Princeton Figure Skating Club is very pleased to have Babington as their coach.
Figure Skating registration is set for Monday, September 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Arena Lobby.
MULE DEER CONTEST STARTS SOON
The old saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' can be applied to the annual Mule Deer Contest sponsored by Princeton Outdoor Supply.
Going into only it's third year, the event had a total of 304 hunters entered last year with hundreds of prizes being awarded at a big wind-up following the hunting season.
Ron and Loretta Young expect this year's event to be at least as much fun as the last one.
The couple, who are entering their eighth year in business in Princeton, wanted to do something for their customers and eventually decided on a mule deer contest, "because that's what most of the hunters are looking for around here and it's what they wanted," Loretta explains.
Entry into the contest is easy. You just need a valid hunters license and your $30.00 entry fee. You don't have to live here or belong to a local club for your deer (taken locally) to qualify.
The winning deer last year was a buck shot by Stan Hanson of Penticton.
"It scored just over 200," Ron says.
"Cliff Robinson shot a monster last year and was beat out of first place by an inch."
Hunters of all ages are welcome into the contest.
"Dallas Earle shot a great little four-point, his first deer ever."
There's a random draw for a rifle for every 100 entrants with the grand prize of a $1,000.00 shopping spree at Princeton Outdoor Supply for the highest gross score.
The contest runs from September 1st to November 10th (regular hunting season).
"The contest is designed for everyone," Ron says.
"Basically from the guy who wants to put meat in the freezer to the guy who is looking to get the big buck and everyone in between. We're expecting 400 entries this year."
For more information either drop into Princeton Outdoor Supply on Vermilion Avenue or call (250) 295-0319 or 295-0450.
