Latest news with #Oakman
Montreal Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Shawn Oakman poised to become towering force on Alouettes' defensive line
Montreal Alouettes By At age 33 and potentially nearing the end of his CFL career, defensive-lineman Shawn Oakman wants at least one more opportunity to win a Grey Cup. And after spending last season with Edmonton, which went 7-11, missed the playoffs and fired general manager and head coach Chris Jones after an 0-5 start, the tackle was seeking stability. 'It wasn't about the wins and losses in Edmonton,' Oakman said this week after a practice. 'I had a different role. They had a lot of young guys there that needed my help. The wins that we got were great, but it was more about growing.' There shouldn't be any growing pains in Montreal. The team won the Grey Cup in 2023 and had the league's best record (12-5-1) last season before imploding in the East Division final against Toronto. Even with new starting quarterback Davis Alexander, the Als should be competitive in 2025, prompting Oakman to sign a one-year, free-agent deal in February. The 6-foot-8, 280-pound behemoth is looking forward to playing under defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe. And the feeling is mutual. 'It's a dominant, in-your-face defence,' said Oakman, a Philadelphia native. 'That's my mentality. That's my personality. It should be a perfect fit. He (Thorpe) is an attack coach. He wants our defence to attack and get after the quarterback, crush down on short passes. I think I should fit right in.' In 14 games last season with Edmonton, Oakman had 32 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He signed with the Elks as a free agent after three seasons with the Argonauts. In 53 career games, he has 122 tackles, 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Oakman won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. The Als host the Argonauts Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their regular-season opener. 'As a coach, you look at the body of work there,' Thorpe said. 'He's a big fit for us. When we got him, it was great news. It's not only what you see on the field, but there's also the work ethic, how he approaches practice, how he conducts himself in the meeting rooms. He's a consummate pro. 'He has been in the league and you've been able to watch him from an opposite sideline, see how disruptive he can be and the problems he causes, ' Thorpe added. 'He's a challenge to block. That's a guy you want on your team. The guy has been outstanding for us and is a great fit. He has that blue-collar, hard-working mentality.' Oakman won't be the only addition to Thorpe's defence. Byron Vaughns could start at rush end, while Tiawan Mullen should be one of the outside linebackers. Both are import rookies. Vaughns, 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, spent two years at the University of Texas before transferring to Utah State. Although he was the most valuable defensive player in the Mountain West 2021 championship game, it's considered a small conference. So he completed his college career at Baylor. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last season, but didn't play a game for them. Vaughns had a sack in Friday's final exhibition game at Ottawa and, knowing final cuts were coming on Saturday, said he had a couple of stiff drinks to ensure he slept. He also probably had a good feeling that night he would survive. 'It was a blessing to wake up (Saturday) and not get that phone call,' said the native of Fort Worth, Tex. 'It will be extra motivation throughout the season knowing the team trusts me as a rookie. Other than being 6-foot-4 and 230, 235 (pounds) I think I had a great day (against Ottawa) on special teams. That's where a lot of opportunities get overlooked. Those were the opportunities I had to make the best of.' Thorpe said he likes Vaughns' ability to rush the quarterback, versatility and change of direction. With only three weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, rookies must make their mark early and often with the coaches. 'When given the opportunity, they have to make plays,' Thorpe said. 'That's how you earn a spot on a team. When the opportunity presented itself, those guys made plays. That put them in position to get on the roster. It's always about the effort level and how they pursue. It's about physicality.' Meanwhile, it appears Canadian Sean Thomas-Erlington will be the starting tailback against Toronto, backed up by import rookie Travis Theis.
Ottawa Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Shawn Oakman poised to become towering force on Alouettes' defensive line
At age 33 and potentially nearing the end of his CFL career, defensive-lineman Shawn Oakman wants at least one more opportunity to win a Grey Cup. Article content And after spending last season with Edmonton, which went 7-11, missed the playoffs and fired general manager and head coach Chris Jones after an 0-5 start, the tackle was seeking stability. Article content Article content 'It wasn't about the wins and losses in Edmonton,' Oakman said this week after a practice. 'I had a different role. They had a lot of young guys there that needed my help. The wins that we got were great, but it was more about growing.' Article content Article content There shouldn't be any growing pains in Montreal. The team won the Grey Cup in 2023 and had the league's best record (12-5-1) last season before imploding in the East Division final against Toronto. Even with new starting quarterback Davis Alexander, the Als should be competitive in 2025, prompting Oakman to sign a one-year, free-agent deal in February. Article content Article content The 6-foot-8, 280-pound behemoth is looking forward to playing under defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe. And the feeling is mutual. Article content 'It's a dominant, in-your-face defence,' said Oakman, a Philadelphia native. 'That's my mentality. That's my personality. It should be a perfect fit. He (Thorpe) is an attack coach. He wants our defence to attack and get after the quarterback, crush down on short passes. I think I should fit right in.' Article content In 14 games last season with Edmonton, Oakman had 32 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He signed with the Elks as a free agent after three seasons with the Argonauts. In 53 career games, he has 122 tackles, 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Article content Article content Oakman won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. The Als host the Argonauts Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their regular-season opener. Article content 'As a coach, you look at the body of work there,' Thorpe said. 'He's a big fit for us. When we got him, it was great news. It's not only what you see on the field, but there's also the work ethic, how he approaches practice, how he conducts himself in the meeting rooms. He's a consummate pro. Article content 'He has been in the league and you've been able to watch him from an opposite sideline, see how disruptive he can be and the problems he causes, ' Thorpe added. 'He's a challenge to block. That's a guy you want on your team. The guy has been outstanding for us and is a great fit. He has that blue-collar, hard-working mentality.' Article content Article content Oakman won't be the only addition to Thorpe's defence.
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Back on stage: HB Jammers brings music and joy back to Hawke's Bay disabled youth
Long-time volunteer and now president of HB Jammers, Vicky Oakman, said the group received an email last year stating the programme would close and stop immediately. 'It was really shocking and upsetting. There was no notice, so we couldn't prepare the jammers. 'Some people didn't even get to have their last session,' she said. After a meeting with volunteers and parents, they rebuilt the programme, and within three months, formed a committee, registered a new charity, secured funding, and relaunched five weekly workshops in Greenmeadows, Hastings and Havelock North. 'It was a lot of work, but we are so proud of it,' Oakman said. 'We currently have five tutors, and each workshop has three volunteers. And we have a committee of eight.' For 23-year-old Grace Bryant, the return has been received with 'love and joy'. 'There aren't a lot of things in Hawke's Bay for children or people with special needs, so it was hard,' her mother, Andrea Bryant, told Hawke's Bay Today. Grace has a full-time carer, volunteers at SPCA, and helps out at church. But the HB Jammers is something that she can deeply connect with. 'Since she returned to the workshops, she is really happy and a lot lighter in spirit because she's got something to look forward to,' Andrea said. The same is true for 20-year-old Poppy, who is non-verbal and lives with Down syndrome. Her mother, Marge Brown, told Hawke's Bay Today the programme gives her daughter a sense of 'independence.' 'She knows the volunteers by name. That is huge because she doesn't even call me mum.' Poppy, who communicates with only a few words, would ask for StarJam every Wednesday, even after its closure. 'It's given her something to look forward to that mum isn't a part of. 'I just bring her, drop her off, and pick her up, and I don't worry. So that's how important this is for us,' Brown said. 'It doesn't matter whether it's sunny or raining or freezing cold, we come because it's something she really values.' Kayla Van Zyl, 26, described the workshop as 'people with disabilities getting together to have fun'. 'I was very excited when I found that they were back. I think I even screamed,' she said. HB Jammers has about 60 jammers aged eight to 30 and hopes to expand, including plans for Flaxmere workshops. 'The more volunteers we have, the bigger we can open the community up and the workshops up to more jammers,' Oakman says. The programme is budgeted at about $45,000 a year to cover instruments, equipment, insurance, admin costs, accountant fees, and T-shirts. 'For them, it's a belonging,' Oakman says. To keep the beat going, the group still needs funding. 'We are stoked that we've got some sponsors. Sports Hawke's Bay has come on board, Gilby Design, who did our logo for us, we've also got Little and Fox, and Markham Distributing as well. 'We are also very lucky to have support and use of school halls at Ebbett Park School, and Havelock North Intermediate.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wagamama owner TRG in talks to buy part of Oakman's assets
The Restaurant Group (TRG), owner of the Japanese-inspired restaurant chain Wagamama, is in discussions to acquire a significant number of sites from pub and restaurant chain Oakman Group. Sky News reports that TRG, with backing from private equity firm Apollo Global Management, is in advanced negotiations for the purchase. Oakman Group has been advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers and is concurrently in talks with other potential buyers for the sale of its remaining assets. Oakman currently trades from more than 30 locations. TRG may acquire between one-third and half of Oakman's sites if the deal goes through. The transaction, led by TRG's chief Andy Hornby, a former executive at Boots and Coral, is estimated to be valued between £50m ($66.9m) and £100m. The potential deal emerges during a challenging period for the hospitality sector, which is grappling with tax increases and unstable consumer confidence that could lead to further job cuts and business closures. It was reported last week that RedCat, the pub company established by ex-Greene King CEO Rooney Anand, was considering a purchase of the pub-hotel operations from his previous company. Representatives from both TRG and PricewaterhouseCoopers have not commented on the ongoing discussions. TRG operates restaurants and pub restaurants across the UK, with Wagamama and Barburrito as its principal trading brands, along with a pub restaurants and concessions business which trades principally at UK airports. In September 2024, TRG announced its intention to significantly expand the pan-Asian restaurant brand Wagamama's presence in the country. "Wagamama owner TRG in talks to buy part of Oakman's assets" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wagamama owner in talks to snap up Oakman Inns
The hospitality company which owns Wagamama is in talks to buy a chunk of Oakman Group, the pub and restaurant chain. Sky News has learnt that The Restaurant Group (TRG), which is backed by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, is in advanced discussions to buy some of the privately held company's assets. Industry sources said that Oakman and its advisers were negotiating with other prospective bidders about a sale of its remaining assets. Oakman trades from more than 30 sites, and has been working with advisers from PricewaterhouseCoopers for several weeks on an auction. Money blog: How the markets reacted after new EU-UK deal struck One insider said TRG was likely to acquire between one-third and half of Oakman's sites if the deal was successfully completed. The buyer, which is run by former Boots and Coral chief Andy Hornby, would then integrate them into its Brunning & Price pub estate, the insider added. Further details of the potential transaction were unclear on Monday afternoon, although it is likely to be worth somewhere between £50m and £100m. The Oakman sale process comes amid intensifying pressure on the hospitality industry, with recent tax rises and jittery consumer confidence triggering fresh warnings of job losses and business collapses. Last week, Sky News revealed that RedCat, the pubs operator founded by former Greene King boss Rooney Anand, was in talks to swoop on his former employer to buy its pub-hotel operations. TRG and PwC declined to comment.
