BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Ontario senior football isn't for wannabes.
The Northern Football Conference (NFC), which the Sudbury
Spartans play in, is a harsh league that takes no prisoners and
offers no mercy for the weak.
Every week, egos are bruised, ligaments are snapped and
bones are broken, but the men who don helmets and square up to
a rival on the grass battlefields do it for one reason: the
love of the game.
Spartans' players Dave Kameka and Al Kawa are just two
examples of this passionate need to play.
Both men returned to the Spartan fold this season after many
seasons away with the hope of one last shot at the championship
title.
They live in Mississauga and the geographic barrier is just
one hurdle they clear on a weekly basis to play for their
hometown.
Kameka, a Spartan from 1992 to 1996, had been out of action
for the last couple of years.
"I couldn't play for the last year or so because I am
raising my 19-month old son by myself..and with work, daycare,
other responsibilities and actually playing, it was tough,"
said the 32-year-old dad. "Now he's older and I can take him
with me to play and practice and have a friend watch him. It's
been hard and I always wanted to play again. I also came back
to hopefully help raise awareness for the team and get more
kids wanting to play for them."
The squad was bolstered by the return of several former
players, most noteably quarterback Paul Gauthier and running
back Dave St. Amour. This got Kameka's blood pumping.
"I love playing football," said the wide receiver. "Myself
and the vets are playing our hearts out and trying to give a
spark to the younger players. I'm 32 and there are guys who are
40-plus and playing. If that's not passion, I don't know what
is. "
Kameka juggles a hectic life in Mississauga, working
full-time and raising his son Jonah, who means the world to
him.
"I go to work Monday to Friday...bring Jonah to daycare,
pick him up and then make us dinner," said Kameka. "We go to
games and practice at nights (Kameka and Kawa both train on
their own during the week). It can be brutal on our time.
Sometimes I wonder if I can keep doing it...I don't know where
I find the energy sometimes. We do whatever we can to stay in
shape and keep up with the team. Al and I bring Jonah to
practice with us...That how bad I want to play. I am tired when
I go to bed, for sure. It's the sacrifices I want to make to
play."
Often, the men will leave work early on Fridays to come up and
practice with the Spartans before home games. They lose money
from their paycheques and spend their own wages on gas and food
to come up to the Nickel City.
"Financially, it's challenging," said the former Lasalle
Secondary Student. "There's been times when I wonder if it's
worth it. I have no regrets though. Not much is going to stop
me from playing. I wish I could be there more, with the team,
especially when we lose. I think the team is doing great. It's
amazing being on the field with the guys again."
Kawa, 34, played 10 seasons with Sudbury from 1991 to 2000.
He played the last five seasons with Oakville, and is thrilled
he made the decision to return home.
"When I heard the old guys were coming back for one more
kick at the can...I figured why not take one more shot at it
too," said the tight end.
Kawa and Kameka overcome the geographic obstacle by staying
committed to practising and staying in close contact with the
team.
"We talk to the guys and the coach a few times a week," said Kawa. "We run our own practices down here and call to make sure we're on the right page with the team. We've played long enough to know what we're doing and what has to be done."
Kawa, who has watched the Spartans spin their wheels over the
last few seasons, likes the direction the club is now taking.
"I like the way head coach Chris Bartolucci is doing things," said the former Lasalle Secondary student. "He's a good motivator and knows what he's doing. He knows how to talk to the old guys and young guys, so that's important.
The executives of the team seem to have really turned things
around as well. Things are going smoother and I'm just glad to
be back with my old team."
Both Kameka and Kawa have meant a lot to the Spartans
machine and have become vital cogs.
"Both of these guys are talented athletes and potent weapons
for us," said Bartolucci. "Not everyone is willing to travel
four hours to play senior football. They both could have made
other teams down south, but they wanted to play here. They're
good utility players as well."
Kameka has given the Spartans a lot of options.
"Dave gives us a lot of versatility," said Bartolucci. "He
was a big find for us. He plays three spots for us - wide
receiver, punt return and kick return. He has even played
defence for us."
Kawa has also been a boon for the Spartans.
"Al has great blocking ability and hands," said Bartolucci. "He understands offence so well and he's great at ready plays."
