The Cabers of Glengarry
Members of the Cabers of Glengarry have proven that Glengarrians are a force to be reckoned with while travelling internationally to promote the heavyweights.
The club that started in 1982 includes Lloyd Kennedy, Don McDonald, Rod McLeod, Ron MacDonell, Willie Lang, Robin Thompson, Doug Fales, Ian Sandilands, John MacDonald, Finlay McDonell, and late Dr. Joseph Senecal.
Years ago, the men who were looking to improve their skills in the heavyweight events in preparation for the Glengarry Highland Games began practicing wt the Senecal’s home in Alexandria. The dentists from Montreal had been a track and field athlete and weightlifter all his life and had taken an interest in the Scottish heavyweight games when he and his family moved to Alexandria. “He was more than happy to offer competitors a place to practice,” said Senecal’s daughter Tess who remembers well the practice days. “Dad really got involved in the Celtic life. He even practiced in the games a couple of times.”
Over the years, the fierce and determined men have competed in Florida, New York, Chicago, Fergus, Cobourg, Tyconderoda, Tennessee and many other games where some have won world championship titles. Rod MacLeod of Glen Nevis participated in the games for close to 40 years, is past director of the heavyweights in Maxville and was world champion in the caber toss in 1973. He explained that Dave Harrington, “King of the Caber” from Quebec use to join them at their practices. “It’s a sport like no other,” explained award winner Sandilands who’s travelled extensively to participate. “If you really want to do well, you have to practice a lot. You have to be dedicated.”
Robin Thompson of Martintown was a world record holder in the sheaf with a distance of 27’8” thanks to many hours of practice.
McLeod explained that local legends Rory McLennan and Lloyd Kennedy were key players in bringing the heavyweights to the games in 1948. “It was Ronnie MacDonell, Lochiel councillor, who really pushed the club to start,” said McLeod of their early days. “Thankfully we had a lot of support.” Finlay McDonell offered up his Loch Garry property as a practice field when they athletes were looking for another site. McDonell chaired the heavyweights in Maxville in 1993 and was president of the games in 1994 and 1995.
Sandilands and McLeod said the club started after the death of Angus H. McDonell, one of the founding members of the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame. They explained that Angus donated an annual trophy for the heavyweight winner of the games. Today that trophy is awarded for the top caber throw. Members of the Cabers of Glengarry are glad to have had the opportunity to practice together, learn from some world-class athletes and have inspired each other to improve.
“Heavyweights are unique because it’s a sport and a cultural event at the same time,” explained Sandilands. “But whatever sport you grab onto, you want to do it as well as you possibly can. The club really helped us to be the best we could be.”
