|
In October 1977, Lee Ann
(Roberts) Wilson started a competitive Baton Twirling
group in Oshawa. Sixteen girls met once a week to
practice their new routine choreographed by Fran
Murakami. The group, not yet named, formed a relationship
with the Oshawa Kinsmen Club, which led to the use
of their hall for practices and eventually receiving
financial funding for expenses. After much deliberation
a name was decided, Oshawa Kinsmen Camaros Baton
Corps. Our colours would be Royal Blue, Gold and
White, the official colours of the City of Oshawa.
|
|
The Camaros first
year as a competitive group was very successful.
They won the 1978 Ontario Junior Novice Twirl Corps
Championship. The group never looked back! In 1979
the Corps hosted their first annual Durham Region
Twirling Spectacular Competition. The very successful
competition was run for 20 years, when in 1999 the
last one was hosted. This year, with the celebration
of the club’s 30th anniversary, the Camaros will
once again host a major Twirling competition in
the city of Oshawa.
Over the years the group
has participated in Grey Cup parades, World Championships
in France, Holland, Japan, Italy, South Bend, Indiana,
Canadian Championships in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Twirl
Mania in Florida, Toronto Raptors half time show,
Hamilton Ti-cat half-time performed at the opening
ceremonies for the 1994 World Baton Twirling Championships,
performed at Canada's Wonderland and performed at
the Toronto Sportsman Show.
During the 1980's,
we welcomed Carrie Mckitrick and Andrea (Cacanindin)
Shore as our choreographers. The colours of our
corps were changed to Red, White and Black. Many
successes were still being enjoyed. The corps enrollment
raised to it's highest ever, 100 members.
The 1990's also saw many changes to the Corps.
It was time for a name changed due to changes in
sponsorship and the recognition of Baton Twirling
as an official sport. The Camaros Baton Club became
incorporated and was fortunate enough to receive
a weekly Bingo for fundraising. Kristin Macaraeg
of Winnipeg became our new choreographer and the
athletes began studying dance at a local dance studio.
More successes included the winning 1997 Ontario
Club of the Year.
The year 2000 brought
new colours again to celebrate the new millennium.
Navy, green and gold were chosen. The club continued
to still grow and started to redesign programs to
meet the changing needs of young athletes in the
community. This year marked the first year of our
"New Attitude" Recreational Group. This group offered
young athletes to experience dance, baton and gymnastic,
in a single program at a very reasonable cost.
The contributions of the Camaros Baton Club
are far-reaching. Many Canadian and Provincial Championships
have been organized by members of the Camaros. Athletes
are encouraged to move forward to become certified
coaches and share their knowledge with others. Every
Camaros coach was at one time a Championship Athlete.
In 2007, Canada hosted the World Baton Championships
in Hamilton, Ontario and once again, several members
of the Camaros Baton Club, held senior organizational
and volunteer positions.
Club Director LeeAnn
Wilson was honored by her inclusion in the Oshawa
Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Today the Camaros
Baton Club continues to thrive in the spirit of
fun, friendship and fitness. Athletes from the age
of three participate in programs geared specifically
to age and skill levels.
|
