Lawrence Park Squad in `League' of its Own 
Labour dispute sidestepped for sake of football 

By David Grossman 
Toronto Star Sports Reporter
September 20, 1998 
 

Lawrence Park Collegiate football coach Chuck Richardson won't sit idly by while extracurricular sports at Toronto high schools are cancelled due to a protracted labour dispute between teachers unions and the provincial government. 
Richardson, who heads a football alumni association at Lawrence Park that has raised $100,000 in the past three years, will push ahead with a series of exhibition games for students, even though teachers at Toronto high schools won't be taking part in voluntary activities. 
To get around the politics, Richardson has broken ties with the school and launched a club called the Lawrence Park Football Alumni Association (LPFAA) Wildcats, whose players are mostly those from Lawrence Park senior and junior teams. 
``We're no longer linked to the school. We are an independent club team with our own equipment, buses to transport the players and an insurance package through Football Ontario,'' said Richardson. 
``We've spent a lot of time rebuilding the football program at Lawrence and the intention is to give these young people what they deserve - an opportunity to play.'' 
Richardson has also ordered a new set of jerseys, with the alumni logo, to replace the Notre Dame Fighting Irish-type uniforms worn last year by the school team. 
While the majority of players are students at Lawrence, Richardson says he'll open the door to students from neighbourhood schools such as North Toronto and Northern for scheduled games against Belleville Centennial high school and a variety of private schools not affected by the labour dispute. 
``I know people aren't thrilled with what we're doing, but I care about the kids who have committed their time and efforts for the past four years,'' added Richardson. 
"`I don't want to get into a fight with people, and I've had a good relationship with teachers. This is not a question of usurping the platform of teachers but of simply giving kids a chance to have fun.'' 
While switching from a school to a club team has offset calls from teachers who took offence to Lawrence having a team in the face of impending labour action, there are other concerns. 
Ken Henderson, convenor of the Metro Bowl, said Lawrence would not be able to qualify for the post-season finale unless it was a school team and had the backing of its league. 
Then again, there might not even be a Metro Bowl.