SHSAA 2023 June Newsletter and Team Sportsmanship Award Winners
June 2023 – eNewsletter
To view the latest edition of the SHSAA monthly eNewsletter, please click here.
Congratulations to Swift Current on winning two sportsmanship banners this year. The boys soccer team won at the 5A Boys Provincial Soccer Championship hosted in Yorkton and the Girls Basketball team won at the 2023 HOOPLA Championship hosted in Prince Albert.
Congratulations to the Estevan Boys & Girls Volleyball teams for winning the @SaskMilk Sportsmanship Awards at the 5A Provincial Championships. Thanks to all the coaches for their commitment to High School athletics!
Congratulations to the Coronach School Boys and Girls Basketball teams for winning Sportsmanship Awards. Thanks to the coaches for their commitment to providing educational athletics to our student-athletes!
Thank you to SaskMilk for their continued support of the Sportsmanship Award!
Congratulations to the Saskatoon Marion M. Graham Boys Basketball Team for winning the 2023 @SaskMilk Sportsmanship Award. Thank you to Coaches Earl, Brownell, and Sanche, and managers Hanna and Sebela for their dedication to high school athletics!
Congratulations to the Langham Walter W. Brown School Girls Curling Team for winning the 2023 @SaskMilk Sportsmanship Award! Thank you to Coaches Lewis, Farthing, and Lewis for their commitment to student-athletes!
Congratulations to the Rosthern Community School Boys Curling team for winning the 2023 Sportsmanship Award presented by @SaskMilk. Thanks to Coach Fahl for her commitment to high school athletics!
Congratulations to the Meadow Lake Carpenter High School Girls Basketball team for winning the 2023@saskmilk Sportsmanship Award. Thanks to Coaches Paramchuk and Timmer for your dedication to high school athletics!
ASAA AND PLAYFLY SPORTS ANNOUNCE 10-YEAR MULTIMEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) and Playfly Sports, the leader in sports marketing, media, and technology, announced today a ten year multimedia rights agreement. The deal makes Playfly the ASAA’s exclusiverights holder and sponsorship arm effective immediately.
“We are excited to announce this exciting initiative” said John Paton, Executive Director for the ASAA. “This will support the Strategic Plan of the ASAA to better promote and support high school athletic programs across the province and provide financial stability for the Association in the years ahead. Playfly is an incredibly innovative company, which shares our values in putting student athletes first and providing quality and memorable experiences. This is going to be transformational for our Association and its member schools and student athletes.
Playfly will hold the media and sponsorship rights for the ASAA. This will allow Playfly to leverage their diverse and notable sponsorship, marketing, and media solutions to grow the ASAA brand, and awareness about the significant role school sport plays in communities across the province while elevating the experience for student-athletes.
“Our team is honored to have the trust and confidence of Mr. Paton and the ASAA Board of Directors,” said Brent VanderMey, Vice President – High School Associations for Playfly Sports Properties. “John and the ASAA are focused on creating opportunities for the students and member schools they serve; we are thrilled to be a part of the ASAA Team and supporting its mission.”
The ASAA joins an impressive and growing portfolio of over 35 major NCAA Division 1 post secondary athletic programs, BC School Sports and state high school athletic associations that are managed by Playfly through integrated capabilities that expand beyond traditional multimedia rights including naming rights and valuation consulting, esports program development, digital technology offerings, and unique sponsorship innovations.
About the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association
The ASAA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that was established in 1956 to coordinate a program of worthwhile athletic activities for the young people of Alberta in an educational setting. The ASAA now oversees the coordination of provincial championship events in 12 sports for Alberta’s high school student athletes. Involving over 55,000 student athletes and 10,000 volunteer coaches across 400 high schools, the ASAA believes in creating tomorrow’s leaders through high school athletics.
About Playfly Sports
Playfly Sports is a full-service sports marketing company operating where sports marketing, media & technology converge. Utilizing the influence and durability of local sports fandom, Playfly Sports exclusive rights in the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA, esports, and high school sectors drive value for our local, regional, and national brand partners. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across Canada. Visit Playfly Sports online at Playfly.com and follow Playfly Sports on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook: @PlayflySports. www.Playfly.com.
Media Contacts Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association Brad Van Raalte Acting Executive Director brad@asaa.ca 780.643.1888
Playfly Sports Brent VanderMey Vice President – High School Division brent@Playfly.com 480.235.9438
Porter Creek Senior 1 Rams capture YSAA championship
By Morris Prokop on May 29, 2023
Photo by Morris Prokop
INCOMING! – FHC Warriors’ Keely Kovacs catches the ball while Porter Creek Senior 1 Rams’ captain Rex Natress comes into third at the Pepsi Centre in Whitehorse Thursday.
The Porter Creek Secondary School Senior 1 Rams are the Yukon Schools Athletic Association (YSAA) high school softball champs.
The Rams downed the F.H. Collins Warriors 17-7 at the Pepsi Centre Thursday to capture the high school softball crown.
The Rams got out to a commanding lead, and were ahead 13-2 going into the fourth inning.
However, the Warriors mounted a comeback, scoring the maximum five runs to make it 13-7 Rams going into the bottom of the fourth.
The Rams only managed one run in the fourth, so were up 14-7 after five innings.
The Warriors got shut out in the top of the fifth.
The Rams took advantage, extending their lead to 17-7 in the bottom of the fifth.
The Warriors then went down one-two-three in the top of the sixth and the Rams took the title.
The Star spoke with Rams captain Rex Natress following their victory.
“The team had a lot of heart. I loved how they played. When it came down to sit people, they understood, and we had an overall competitive team. I loved fitting everybody in. Everybody knew their place and it was a really fun tournament.”
The Rams won all six of their games, four round-robin and two playoffs, to capture the crown.
Natress was asked what the key to victory was for his team.
“I think the heart and soul of the team was definitely it,” he replied.
“The team probably wasn’t the best on paper but these guys worked so hard. They deserve all of it.”
Natress said the team has been together a while.
“We play in the same house league, city league baseball team, so we know each other really well. Obviously, we all go to school together, so building bonds here that will last forever.”
A little doubt about the victory did creep in for Natress, but only for a minute.
“I did start having my concerns when I heard the last one was an open (unlimited runs) inning, but I remembered Nigel (Charlie) was pitching and he’s been our ace this year. Every time he was in, he was shutting them down. He only gave up two or three runs this whole playoffs, so it was unreal.”
Jager Brown was chosen as the MVP for the Rams.
“It’s a very nice experience because this is my last year in high school. It was a good way to end the high school experience. I really enjoyed it.”
Brown said that being a team player was the key to winning the MVP award.
“Shared the ball and no complaining.”
Warriors coach Jodi Tuton said there was lots of energy and positivity shown during the tournament.
“The students had fun.”
Rams coach Brad Gustafson said, “It was great. It was a lot of fun. Some really good ballplayers for sure. They had great attitudes all day, they were super-positive, so it was a good time.
“We just batted everyone and had a few practices and we just had some good ballplayers, some good athletes and they played well today, for sure.”
Gustafson said that the tournament was a big success.
“We had ten teams this year, which is probably the most teams we’ve had, so it’s nice to see the high school softball tournament grow and grow and hopefully this will be bigger and better moving forward.
Cobequid, Park View and Halifax Grammar School captured the combined team titles at the School Sport Nova Scotia track and field championships at Beazley Field.
In the senior division, Cobequid collected 374 points to easily outpace runner-up C.P. Allen (192) in the two-day competition that ended on Tuesday.
Park View won the intermediate combined title with 259 points ahead of Cobequid at 187.
Halifax Grammar School, with 138 points, held off Dartmouth South at 99.
Cobequid captured the supported senior title while Bridgetown took the supported junior crown.
Team titles went to Halifax Grammar (junior girls), Park View (intermediate girls), Cobequid (senior girls), Bridgetown (junior supported girls), Northeast Kings (senior supported girls), EB Chandler (junior boys), Cobequid and Park View tied for first in intermediate boys, Cobequid (senior boys and senior supported) and Guysborough (junior supported boys).
In the boys’ senior division, Cobequid’s Austin Warren captured the shot put and discus titles while Auburn’s Nate Slawter (100 and 200 metres) and the Horton duo of Silas Conlin-Morse (400 and 800) and Brett King (1,500 and 3,000) were also multiple event winners.
Jennessa Wolfe of Cobequid highlighted the senior girls’ division with wins in the long, high and triple jumps while Fiona Day of Lockview held off Queen Clayton of Citadel to win the 100 and 200 sprints. Clayton would win the 80-metre hurdles.
Cara MacDonald of North Nova took the 400 and 800 races.
Horton’s Jacob White sprinted to victory in the intermediate boys’ 100, 200 and 400 finals. Alex Bouchard of Dartmouth won the 1,500 and 3,000 races while Carter Myatt of Cobeuid took the long and triple jump titles and Max Minihan of Riverview posted victories in the shot put and discus.
Zoe Mosher of Park View dominated the intermediate girls’ distance races with wins in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000.
In junior boys’ competition, Whyatt Thurston of AJ Smeltzer (100 and 200), Declan O’Blenus of EB Chandler (400 and 80 hurdles) and Chris Coggins of Maple Grove (800 and 1,500) were all multiple winners.
Mya Wilson of Ecole Acadien swept the high, long and triple jump titles, while Halifax Grammar’s Faye Chiasson just missed out on a trio of titles. Chiasson won the 800 and 1,500 but was edged out at the line in the 3,000 by Dartmouth South’s Deborah Beach.
Three deserving student-athletes from Ontario’s High Schools have been awarded $800.00 scholarships from the OFSAA Alumni Association this year. Over 50 applications were received from the following eligible associations: CWOSSA, GBSSA, NEOAA, NOSSA, SWOSSAA and YRAA.
This year’s winners are: Sydney Lacarte from Englehart HS, Jace McGrail of Lambton Central CVI in Petrolia and Summer Madronich representing St. Joan of Arc CHS in Barrie.
Congratulations!
Sydney Lacarte is a grade 12 student who plans to study Business at either Nipissing University or Wilfrid Laurier University. During her time at Englehart HS, Sydney was part of the cross country, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track & field teams while maintaining an 91% average in her academic courses. She was also part of the school’s graduation committee, the intramural committee and numerous fundraisers during her high school career. Sydney had extensive community involvement including working at a local nursing home, assisting with the town of Englehart in organizing and running activities to support youth mental health awareness programs, and volunteering as a coach in youth basketball, volleyball and track and field programs. In her personal statement, Sydney stated that “school sports has taught me how to communicate, listen, make friends, handle pressure situations, and most importantly how to become a team leader and team player”. One of Sydney’s teacher-coaches said this about her importance to the athletic program at Englehart HS: “Sydney excels in all sports and is a modest, hardworking role model for her peers who always displays excellent sportsmanship.”
Jace McGrail is a grade 12 student at Lambton Central CVI. Jace was involved in numerous sports at the school including baseball, volleyball, hockey, cross country and track and field while at the same time maintaining an average of over 86%. Jace was also a two-year member of the school’s student council and part of the athletic association for three years. He has helped out in numerous school activities like the Terry Fox Run and the elementary school track and field competitions. His community outreach involvement is highlighted by his involvement in programs like Neighbour2Neighbour Rural Food Drive, Petrolia Minor Hockey and the Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign. He also spearheaded a t-shirt sales campaign that raised thousands of dollars for the local Food Bank as well as assisting in the raising of funds for a young boy in the community who required significant medical attention. Jace believes that his involvement in school sport “has significantly influenced my life and shaped me into the person that I am.” One of Jace’s teachers had this to say about him: “Jace is a highly-skilled, selfless, exceptionally thoughtful young man demonstrating remarkable care and concern for his wider community in his service.” In the fall, Jace will be studying Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology at Lambton College.
Summer Madronich is a grade 12 student at St. Joan of Arc CHS. Another outstanding student-athlete with an average of 90%, Summer participated in seven different sports during her high school career. Being involved in hockey, cross country, badminton, flag football, soccer, ultimate and nordic skiing clearly illustrate how organized and dedicated Summer was towards both her studies and athletics. In addition, Summer was a member of the school’s athletic council for four years, the Best Buddies program, the SHSM Leadership team and the school’s OFSAA Committee that hosted Girls’ AAA Volleyball in 2023. Her community involvement was extensive and included over 300 volunteer hours during her high school. Some of these activities include many as power skating instructor, learn to row instructor and as an evaluator for the Barrie WHA elite hockey team selection process. In her letter to the committee Summer emphasized that being a part of sports teams has allowed her to “learn time management, gained skills and confidence as an athlete, built incredible friendships, and thrive as a leader”. The athletic director at her school noted that “Summer has consistently demonstrated her understanding and belief of the OFSAA values of Leadership, Respect, Integrity, Equity, Diversity, and Resilience.” In the fall, Summer will be studying Nursing at Laurentian University.
For more information on the criteria for selection and application requirements, please go to: ofsaa.on.ca/recognition/scholarships/ofsaa-alumni
What a great day we had Saturday for our 2023 PEISAA Track & Field Provincials! 103 events, over 750 registered athletes! Thank you to the over 70 volunteers, which included 20 students from Charlottetown Rural, we could not hold this event without you!
Many great performances during the day including two new PEISAA records. Soraya Player, of Donagh Regional shaved almost 10 seconds off the old record set in 2015 in the Novice Girls1000 metre. Colin MacAdam, who puts a lot of time into PEISAA Track & Field events, had his record for the Senior Men’s 800 metre, set in 1975, beat by Alex Rogers of Colonel Gray. He beat the record by 13\100’s of a second. In the photo, Alex poses with Colin, who held the record for 48 years!
Once again, Congratulations to All Athletes and Thank You to our volunteers!
Québec, le 3 juin 2023 – Le RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) a couronné ce soir les lauréats et lauréates du 38e Gala d’excellence scolaire du RSEQ qui se tenait à Québec, au Manège militaire de Québec.
L’événement fut un succès et a réuni plus de 240 personnes de partout au Québec. Nous avons eu l’honneur d’accueillir M. Yannick Gagnon, Député de Jonquière et adjoint gouvernemental à la ministre du Sport, du Loisir et du Plein air à l’Assemblée nationale. Au cours de la soirée, Mme Sylvie Cornellier, a reçu le Sablon d’honneur du conseil d’administration au secteur scolaire. De plus, M. Jean-Noël Corriveau a reçu le Sablon d’honneur du conseil d’administration au secteur collégial.
Voici donc les lauréats et lauréates de la soirée.
1. Élève féminine de 6e année ayant le mieux concilié le sport et les études
Éliane Poirier | École du Parc-de-la-Montagne | Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais | RSEQ Outaouais
Éliane s’est révélée être une élève-athlète extrêmement engagée au cours de cette année. En effet, elle a activement participé à plusieurs initiatives, notamment le projet des Animactifs, le projet d’entrepreneuriat et le projet 100% Intrépides. De plus, elle s’implique dans diverses activités physiques et sportives au sein de son école, tels que le hockey balle, le minitennis, le minivolley et l’athlétisme. Ainsi, elle trouve constamment des moyens de demeurer active et en mouvement.
2. Élève masculin de 6e année ayant le mieux concilié le sport et les études
Elliot Nolin | École internationale Wilfrid-Pelletier | Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Île | RSEQ Montréal
Elliot se distingue en tant qu’élève-athlète qui a réussi à concilier brillamment ses activités sportives et ses études. Il est membre actif de la ligue de futsal, de hockey cosom, de volleyball et de basketball. En outre, il s’investit en qualité d’animateur du spectacle amateur de l’école, démontrant ainsi son engagement. Elliot se positionne aussi comme un leadeur dans tous les domaines de son école.
3. École primaire ayant le plus contribué au développement des activités physiques et sportives dans son milieu
École AU-FIL-de-l’EAU | Mont-Saint-Hilaire | Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes | RSEQ Montérégie
L’École participe à de nombreux projets du RSEQ, tels que PR1MO, En forme et la Rentrée Sportive. De plus, leur programme Sports Découvertes sera rétabli avec enthousiasme et proposera des journées dédiées aux sorties sportives et à la découverte. L’école est, de ce fait reconnue comme un établissement sportif qui promeut les saines habitudes de vie.
4. École secondaire ayant le plus contribué au développement des activités physiques et sportives dans son milieu
École Jean-du-Nord | Sept-Îles | Centre de services scolaire du Fer | RSEQ Côte-Nord
L’école Jean-du-Nord a élaboré un programme d’activités physiques et sportives au sein de son établissement, favorisant ainsi son développement. De plus, l’école met en place et organise diverses activités de promotion et de sensibilisation visant à encourager les saines habitudes de vie. En ce qui concerne les activités du RSEQ, ils ont aussi pris part à des événements tels que La Rentrée Sportive, Iso-Actif et En forme.
Stéphanie, en qualité d’entraîneuse principale de l’équipe de basketball juvénile féminin de division 3, a guidé son équipe vers une médaille d’argent lors du championnat provincial. Elle accorde une grande importance à la progression de ses élèves-athlètes et a contribué à la création du LAB pour la concentration Basket de l’école du Rocher. Grâce à sa participation à diverses formations de perfectionnement, Stéphanie démontre son engagement constant à acquérir de nouvelles compétences afin d’améliorer ses aptitudes d’entraîneuse et d’accompagnatrice auprès des athlètes de son établissement.
Éric est responsable de toutes les équipes de volleyball de son école, à tous les niveaux. Malgré ses responsabilités, il trouve le temps de s’impliquer activement dans l’organisation du Championnat provincial Juvénile. De plus, en collaboration avec Volleyball Québec, il a consacré ses efforts à offrir des ateliers aux élèves de toutes les écoles de la région. Son expertise et son engagement ont été reconnus dans l’ensemble de la communauté du volleyball, ce qui en fait un leader respecté et admiré.
7. Équipe féminine de division 2 par excellence au niveau secondaire
L’équipe Ultimate de l’Institut Secondaire Keranna a réalisé une saison parfaite, en remportant tous ses matchs lors de la saison régulière et en remportant le championnat provincial. En plus de leur excellence sur le terrain, plusieurs joueuses de l’équipe se distinguent par ailleurs en dehors du terrain en contribuant au développement du sport auprès des jeunes. Elles offrent des ateliers de basketball aux élèves du primaire et contribuent ainsi à promouvoir la pratique de ce sport dès le plus jeune âge. Leur engagement et leur dévouement témoignent de leur passion pour le basketball et de leur volonté de partager leur expertise avec la communauté.
8. Équipe masculine de division 2 par excellence au niveau secondaire
En tant que champions de la saison régulière, ce groupe de jeunes a accompli d’importantes avancées en termes de valeurs à promouvoir et d’attitude exemplaire à adopter, que ce soit dans les moments favorables ou plus difficiles en compétition. Ils forment une équipe unie qui a su déployer des efforts constants pour atteindre et maintenir les plus hauts standards scolaires et sportifs. Ces jeunes ont connu une évolution significative sur le plan individuel tout en réalisant des performances collectives et sportives remarquables. Leur parcours témoigne de leur détermination, de leur engagement et de leur capacité à se surpasser ensemble pour atteindre des niveaux de réussite impressionnants sur le plan personnel et collectif.
9. Équipe de division 1 par excellence au niveau secondaire
Les athlètes de cette équipe ont réalisé une saison parfaite avec 12 victoires et ont remporté le championnat de la saison régulière, ce qui est une première pour le Collège Charles-Lemoyne. Leur succès est d’autant plus impressionnant que toutes les joueuses font partie du programme sport-études, ce qui implique une rigueur à la fois dans leurs études et le sport. Leur parcours en séries éliminatoires a été particulièrement exigeant. Les joueuses ont fait preuve de détermination et de résilience pour surmonter les défis et atteindre de nouveaux sommets.
10. Élève-athlète féminine de niveau secondaire ayant démontré une persévérance académique et sportive
Mia Dufour | Polyvalente des Rivières – Forestville | Centre de service scolaire de l’Estuaire | RSEQ Côte-Nord
Mia se démarque en tant que leadeur sur le terrain de volley-ball grâce à son esprit sportif et sa bonne humeur. Son travail acharné en classe lui a permis de progresser au point de se passer complètement d’outils d’aide à l’écriture pour ses travaux et examens. En plus de son succès scolaire, Mia trouve du plaisir à aider les autres jeunes dans sa famille d’accueil avec leurs devoirs et leurs leçons. Sa détermination, son engagement et sa volonté d’aider les autres font d’elle un exemple inspirant de persévérance et de générosité.
11. Élève-athlète masculin de niveau secondaire ayant démontré une persévérance académique et sportive
Benjamin Marchand | Académie les Estacades| Centre de services scolaire du Chemin-du-Roy | RSEQ Mauricie
Benjamin, quart-arrière de l’équipe de football juvénile de division 2, a fait preuve d’une incroyable résilience après avoir surmonté une tumeur bénigne à la moelle épinière qui l’a empêché de participer à la saison précédente. Déterminé à revenir sur le terrain, il a entrepris une réadaptation rigoureuse afin de pouvoir reprendre les sports de contact. Au cours de cette saison, il a réalisé des performances exceptionnelles en établissant un nouveau record d’école pour le plus grand nombre de passes de touchés. En plus de ses exploits sur le terrain, Benjamin s’implique également comme entraîneur auprès des plus jeunes, partageant ainsi son expérience et sa passion pour le sport. Son parcours illustre sa détermination, sa capacité à surmonter les obstacles et son désir de contribuer au développement des autres.
12. Personne ayant le plus contribué au développement de saines habitudes de vie dans son milieu
Valérie Cossette | École secondaire d’Amos | Centre de services scolaire Harricana | RSEQ Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Valérie encourage activement les élèves à participer à divers programmes initiés par le RSEQ, tels que la Rentrée sportive et De Facto. De plus, tout au long de l’année, elle les incite à maintenir un train de vie actif en organisant des courses deux fois par semaine. Elle dispense également des ateliers sur des sujets tels que la gestion du stress, la cohésion d’équipe et la communication positive, dans le but de permettre à l’élève-athlète de développer pleinement son potentiel. Ces initiatives ont permis aux jeunes et à leurs parents de mieux appréhender les comportements à éviter et à dénoncer, renforçant ainsi leur compréhension des enjeux associés.
13. Élève-athlète féminine de 5e secondaire ayant le mieux concilié le sport et les études
Megan Veillette | École secondaire du Rocher | Centre de services scolaire de l’Énergie | RSEQ Mauricie
Megan est une joueuse de basketball redoutable qui a su se distinguer par son talent et son leadeurship au sein de l’équipe championne régionale en juvénile D3 et finaliste au championnat provincial. Son attitude positive et son dévouement ont été des sources d’inspiration pour ses coéquipiers. En plus de ses performances exceptionnelles sur le terrain, Megan s’est investie en tant qu’entraîneuse pour les équipes benjamines de basketball et de flag-football au sein de son école, partageant ainsi son expertise et sa passion pour le sport avec les plus jeunes. Par ailleurs, Megan est une élève très impliquée dans les comités de la vie étudiante de son école. Son engagement aussi bien sur le plan sportif que scolaire fait d’elle un modèle inspirant pour ses pairs.
14. Élève-athlète masculin de 5e secondaire ayant le mieux concilié le sport et les études
Antoine Daoust | Séminaire de Chicoutimi – services éducatifs | Établissement d’enseignement privé | RSEQ Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
Antoine se distingue en qualité d’élève-athlète polyvalent, pratiquant plusieurs disciplines telles que le basketball, le volleyball, le flag-football et le volleyball de plage. En plus d’exceller comme leadeur au sein de chacune de ses équipes, il contribue également au développement du sport en assumant le rôle d’officiel. Antoine s’investit pleinement en mettant en place divers projets visant à améliorer l’expérience sportive des élèves. Un exemple concret est son initiative d’organiser un programme, en collaboration avec le barreau du Canada, afin de présenter aux jeunes les différents métiers liés à la salle d’audience. Malgré ses nombreuses heures d’entraînement et d’implication, Antoine place sa réussite scolaire au cœur de ses priorités, démontrant ainsi son engagement et sa détermination.
