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The London Lightning have hired former Newfoundland Rogues coach Jerry Williams as their new bench boss.
The 45-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla., previously led his hometown Giants to three straight American Basketball Association championships (2016-19) before joining the Rogues in 2021.
Williams was a six-foot-six shooting guard at Cumberland College in Kentucky and played professionally in the United States and Europe. He replaces ex-London coach Doug Plumb, who guided the Bolts to three straight titles, two in the National Basketball League of Canada and the inaugural championship in the Basketball Super League last season.
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BEATTY FUNDRAISER: London-born freestyle skier Charlie Beatty will be the recipient of a fundraising evening to help support his journey with the national team Friday at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club.
The event, labelled True Grit, aims to help cover the approximately $78,000 in annual expenses for training and competition opportunities. Earlier this year, the 17-year-old Beatty was a Canadian flag bearer at the opening ceremonies for the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea.
He went on to win the Big Air gold medal at the Games. Eight years ago, he underwent surgery to fix a devastating knee injury with a complete rupture and severe damage to the lateral ligaments.
SPORTS SPECTACULAR: The 2025 St. Thomas Sports Spectacular will feature NFL hall of famer and former Buffalo Bills receiver Andre Reed and Hockey Hall of Famer Adam Oates Jan. 23.
Three-time Olympic medalist Brendon Rodney of the winning Canadian 4×100-metre relay team in Paris this past summer will also be on hand while the main speaker is NHL-player-turned podcaster/actor Terry Ryan.
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Ryan, Montreal’s eighth overall pick in 1995, is a star of the CraveTV series Shoresy created by Listowel native Jared Keeso.
Tickets to the event go on sale Nov. 1 with money raised to support the local Special Olympics and Community Living Elgin. For more information, visit stthomassportsspectacular.com
BEEFS FINALE: The London Beefeaters (5-2) can clinch second place in the Ontario Football Conference with a win over the Ottawa Sooners (4-3) Saturday, 3 p.m. at City Wide Sports Park.
The Beefs previously beat the Sooners 28-19 in the nation’s capital Sept. 7. Their only two losses were at the hands of unbeaten St. Clair Saints (7-0). London is coming off a 37-10 road win over the Quinte Skyhawks last weekend.
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