The Collège Jeanne-Sauvé girls’ golf team has a collective swing in its step.
The St. Vital-based team recently took first place at the provincial high school golf championships on Sept. 20 at Minnewasta Golf & Country Club in Morden, Man.
CJS finished the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association tournament on 304 strokes, pipping St. Mary’s Academy in second (305), and Portage Collegiate in third (329).
Photo by Simon FullerThe Collège Jeanne-Sauvé girls’ golf team recently took first place at the provincial high school golf championships. Pictured, from left: Celeste Pelletier, Dayna Marriott, Erin Nowicki, and Jewel Lafleche.
Coach Dominic Courcelles said the win means the girls’ team — which consists of Jewel Lafleche, Dayna Marriott, Erin Nowicki, and Celeste Pelletier — has registered back-to-back victories in the event.
The win was also impressive due to that fact only three of the four players were available to compete at the tournament; Marriott had work commitments.
“It feels pretty great,” Courcelles said. “As we only had three of the four girls, we had to count all of the scores, and we knew every score counted.”
In MHSAA tournament plays, only the best three scores count toward a school’s official total.
“It was great to be able to shoot such a low score in what were pretty tough conditions,” Courcelles said.
“There was lots of wind, and the ground was saturated, so we weren’t getting lots of roll. We’re all pretty proud of our performance.”
“I just think our girls are super-great athletes … whatever the sport they’re playing. They’re very athletic, and also very strong academically. Each of them is easy to coach,” he added.
When asked about their achievement, the golfers were modest, but were happy about their success on the greens, a sentiment echoed by Lafleche.
“It’s a good accomplishment,” said the 14-year-old, who’s in Grade 10.
A consensus among team members was that a significant feature of tournament play is that “you can’t see how everyone else is playing, so you’re focused on your own play.”
Asked what advice she might have for upcoming golfers or youngsters considering trying the sport, Marriott — a 17-year-old Grade 12 student — said it’s important to keep at it, move forward and don’t look in the rear view mirror.
“If you have a bad shot, don’t dwell on it. Put it out of your mind, and move forward,” she said.
“We’re very proud to win back-to-back provincial championships, and we’re excited to defend it again next year,” Courcelles said.
“We’re losing Dayna to graduation, but hopefully we can find a new fourth player and go from there.”
The Ministry of Education has again approved the OFSAA Try Day grant for up to $700 for public secondary schools to introduce a new or non-traditional sport or physical activity to your school program in the 2024-25 school year. Select an activity that reaches out to as many students as possible and encourages those who do not participate regularly in school physical activities to join in. Give other students the opportunity to exercise their leadership ability. A definite win-win situation for all!
SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY
150 Publicly-funded secondary schools
Fully committed to completing the OFSAA Try Day program and meeting the deadlines
Involves the minimum required number of student participants and leaders
CRITERIA for approval of funding and reimbursement??
Must introduce a new sport to your program
Selected activity must comply with your school and local school Board safety protocols, policy and direction.
Must involve a minimum of six (6) student leaders in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the OFSAA Try Day event
Must include a minimum of sixty (60) participants – thirty (30) in schools with a student population under 500
Must complete the OFSAA Try Day program by May 15, 2025 and submit reporting materials by May 30, 2025
Funding used for new equipment, instructional resources, transportation to/rental of outside facilities, guest instructors. Tee shirts and food not eligible items for funding.
REGISTRATION Application forms and criteria can be found on the OFSAA website (ofsaa.on.ca) under Programs/Try Day/Registration and are to be submitted ONLINE only. For your application to be considered, the school principal’s approval is required.
SELECTION PROCESS FOR FUNDING AND REPORTING PROCEDURES
Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis provided that all criteria are met
Acceptance for funding is sent by e-mail to the Program Coordinator and Principal within 2 weeks of receipt of registration form
Reporting package is e-mailed within 2 weeks of your acceptance. All reporting materials should be submitted as soon as possible upon completion of your OFSAA Try Day
Deadlines: OFSAA Try Day programs are to be completed by May 15, 2025, and all reporting materials submitted by May 30, 2025
Reimbursement is sent to the school once all reporting materials are received: online reporting form and student evaluation surveys, receipts, photos, media/school articles
Limited funding available
BENEFITS
Enhance and rejuvenate your physical education programs
Introduce sustainable activities that benefit present and future students
Provide an opportunity for student leadership
Encourage regular daily activity as well as lifelong participation
Alberta Grains Announced as the Presenting Partner for ASAA Volleyball
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association is the governing body that oversees amateur athletics in high schools for the province of Alberta. It is a voluntary, non profit organization that has 400 member high schools. Today it announced that it has signed a multi-year Partnership with Alberta Grains to be the presenting partner for ASAA volleyball.
“This partnership is a great initiative for our association; Alberta is famous for its high quality grains which are used for a wide variety of essential food products around the world” said Brad Van Raalte, Acting Executive Director for the ASAA. “This partnership allows us to continue to get messaging out to student-athletes that a healthy diet is an essential part of the preparation a volleyball player needs to perform at his/her highest level.
Alberta Grains is thrilled to be the presenting partner of ASAA volleyball. We believe that by emphasizing the importance of nutrition, we can empower student- athletes to reach their full potential. As a cornerstone of a balanced diet, our grains play a crucial role in fueling their journey to excellence, and we are excited to support them every step of the way.
ABOUT ASAA 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 11 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 ALBERTA GRAINS Alberta Grains is a not-for-profit, farmer-directed organization that represents the interests of and serves as the single voice for all of Alberta’s wheat and barley producers. The organization works collaboratively within all levels of agriculture to achieve tangible results that benefit Alberta’s grain growers. With a mission to drive profitability for Alberta’s wheat and barley farmers, Alberta Grains is committed to advancing and promoting the interests of 18,000+ wheat and barley farmers in the province. We foster innovation, research, communications, policy advocacy, market development and sustainability in the agriculture sector. Alberta Grains serves as a leader in the Canadian agriculture industry.
Alberta Beef Producers Announced as Partner of the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association.
For more information, please go to the ASAA website (in bio)
Standing – Left to right: Nolan Kuhlberg, Iain Thomson, Ian McAllister
Seated – Left to right: Poppy Thomson, Chantal Abbott
(Not In Attendance – Lauren Alexander)
OFSAA and members of the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship Fund were on hand for a special awards reception on Friday. Five of the six honourees and their families were on hand at the Emerald Hills Golf Club in Stouffville, Ontario.
These student-athletes, with a track and field or cross country pedigree in high school, will continue their post-secondary education at a Canadian college or university. The scholar-athletes display qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best academically and athletically while supporting fellow team members. These were all qualities of Brian Maxwell. Each recipient will receive $5,000.
The scholarship fund is in memory of Brian Maxwell, a successful distance runner. Brian competed in track and field and cross country and achieved success as an OFSAA champion, and a Canadian junior, juvenile and senior champion. In 1980, he was selected to the Canadian Olympic team and later became a successful entrepreneur who, with his wife, Jennifer, co-founded the nutritional supplement PowerBar.
Brian was born with a defective heart valve and in 2004, at only 51 years of age, died of a heart attack.
OFSAA is proud to offer the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship each year to support students continuing their education in Canada.
Congratulations and best of luck!
Meet our exceptional 2024 recipients:
Chantal Abbott
Chantal is heading to the University of Victoria to study Kinesiology and compete for the Vikings in cross country and track & field. She has an impressive athletic background, having competed in seven OFSAA championships in high school, with highlights including a fifth-place finish in the 3000m and an eighth place finish in the same event in Grade 10.
Chantal is an Ontario Scholar and received an entrance scholarship at UVic for her academic achievements.
In addition to her track and field and cross-country accomplishments, she was a member of her school’s Nordic ski team, where she won two OFSAA gold medals. She was also involved in her school’s soccer team and environmental club. Beyond school, Chantal has volunteered as a coach with the Collingwood Clippers Swim Club, where she also served as a swim instructor and head lifeguard. She is a competitive swimmer who enjoys hiking, camping, and cooking. Her coaches admire her discipline, perseverance, and leadership, noting how she inspires those around her with her passion for sports.
Lauren Alexander
Lauren Alexander is a remarkable student-athlete from Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa. She has qualified for OFSAA track and field and cross-country events eight times, with notable achievements such as a 7th and 14th place finish individually and a silver and 6th place in cross-country over the past two years. In track, she placed 5th in the 800m and 7th in the 1500m as a Grade 10 student. Recently, she finished 16th in the U20 3000m at the Athletics Canada Championships in Montreal.
In addition to her track and field accomplishments, Lauren is a well-rounded athlete who has represented her school in hockey, touch football, and nordic skiing. Academically, she is an Ontario Scholar and will be attending Western University, where she plans to study Engineering and Medical Sciences.
Lauren’s contributions extend beyond athletics and academics. She has served as Co-President of the Glebe Student Council and has been involved in a program that integrates students with developmental delays into sports. Her community involvement includes volunteering at the Caldwell Family Centre, helping with the “Out of the Cold Supper” group, working at summer camps for the Royal City Soccer Club, and assisting with a group that sponsored a refugee family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In her spare time, she enjoys baking and outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and biking.
Nolan Kuhlberg
A dedicated athlete, he’s a seven-time qualifier for OFSAA in cross country and track & field. His standout moment in cross country was helping his junior team win OFSAA gold in 2021, where he placed 28th individually. In Grades 11 and 12, his school team placed fourth each year, with Nolan finishing 56th and 83rd. On the track, he achieved 17th in the 1500m and 14th in the 800m this past June in London and also qualified for the 1500m in Grades 10 and 11.
Nolan’s leadership qualities are well-recognized, with his high school coach describing him as the undisputed leader of the cross-country team, not just through his performances but through his unwavering support for his teammates. He was also named MVP of his school’s hockey and badminton teams and earned both the LEP Male Athlete of the Year and the Colin Hood OFSAA School Sport Award. He’s known as a natural leader—honest, kind, and driven.
Beyond his school achievements, Nolan’s compassion shines in his community work, including assisting a neighbor through a challenging health situation. He’s an avid alpine skier who coaches U-8 and developmental programs at his local club, as well as coaching with his local track and field club, all while managing the demands of school and sports.
Nolan is set to attend Wilfrid Laurier University this fall, where he’ll be enrolled in the Biochemistry and Biotechnology program.
Ian McAllister
Ian McAllister is heading to the University of Victoria this fall to study Kinesiology. He has an exceptional background in cross country and track & field, having won the OFSAA Cross Country Championship twice in a row (2022 and 2023). His team also achieved significant success, winning the OFSAA Senior Boys’ title in 2022 and earning a silver medal in 2023. On the track, Ian placed third in the 1500m in London and third in the 3000m and 11th in the 1500m in 2023. He was also selected to represent Canada at the World Athletics U20 Cross Country Championship in Serbia this past spring, where he finished as Canada’s top finisher by placing 46th in the world.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Ian has been active in school, participating in wrestling, playing in the strings orchestra, and joining various clubs, including house league sports as well as skiing, and fishing.
He volunteers as a developmental coach at the London Ski Club and with the London-Western Track and Field Club. Ian’s hobbies include skiing, biking, golfing, cooking, hiking, fishing, and beekeeping, where he produces honey production for gifts and sales. His coaches admire his ability, coachability, and dedication to his team.
Iain Thomson
With an impressive track record in cross country and track & field, Iain Thomson has qualified for OFSAA eight times. In cross country, Iain placed 11th, 26th, and 12th individually over the past three years, leading his school to 11th, 5th, and bronze medal finishes. On the track, he placed eighth in the 3000m and 11th in the 1500m this past June. In Grade 11, he was 16th and 12th in the same events and finished 12th in the 3000m in Grade 10. Recently, he finished 6th in the 3000m at the U20 Athletics Canada Championships.
At school, Iain has been active as a Valley Advisor, mentoring younger students and contributing to school spirit. He also served on the DVSS Athletic Council and was a Global Connect Leader, a role that taught him valuable skills in responsibility, organization, and preparedness. He played school badminton, participated in many intramural sports, and was a captain for the cross country and track & field teams.
In his community, Iain volunteered at the Salvation Army and served as a race marshal through his club. He co-founded the Instagram account @runnercycle with a coach to give away lightly used running attire to those in need.
Looking forward, Iain is heading to McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business to study Commerce. He is interested in pursuing a career in business, particularly in the stock exchange, while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental preservation.
Poppy Thomson
Poppy Thomson is a standout student-athlete from Adam Scott Collegiate in Peterborough and a seven-time qualifier for OFSAA track & field and cross country. Her achievements include a sixth-place finish in the 2000m steeplechase this past June, and in Grade 10, she placed fifth in cross country and 10th in both the 1500m and 3000m. An Ontario Scholar, Poppy is heading to St. Francis Xavier University this fall to study Human Kinetics and compete for the Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams.
Poppy’s athletic involvement extends beyond track and cross-country, having participated in volleyball, badminton, lacrosse, nordic skiing, and hockey teams at her school. She has also been part of the LEAD Sports SHSM program, which focuses on leadership opportunities.
In her community, Poppy has contributed by assisting with the Peterborough Pride Parade, working with the Pathway Project (an environmental program for children), and volunteering with the Peterborough Relay for Life organization. Outside of school, she enjoys canoeing, camping, biking, swimming, skating, skiing, and crafts. Her coaches commend her gritty resolve and skill, earning her Athlete of the Year and MVP honors at her school.
Poppy is especially proud of her work with the Kate Lynch Scholarship Fund, where she helps raise money to provide educational opportunities for Tanzanian girls. She also volunteers at the New Canadian Centre in Peterborough, supporting refugees as they transition to life in Canada.
Northwest Designs Announced as the Official Merchandise Provider of the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association is the governing body that oversees amateur athletics in high schools for the province of Alberta. It is a voluntary, non profit organization that has 400 member high schools. Today it announced that it has signed a multi-year Partnership with Northwest Designs as the Official Merchandise Provider of ASAA Championships.
Northwest Designs will be on site at every tournament —providing a wide selection of apparel offerings and giving each athlete, parent and fan the opportunity to customize their garments on demand. In addition, all Championship Gear will be available for purchase online before and after the tournament. Their ability to print all the products on demand means they will have sufficient inventory and make sure no one goes home without an item! They are also excited to unveil their Unique Dri-Fit “NWD” Product Line that will offer something new.
“We are thrilled to partner with Northwest Designs; their ability to be onsite at the championships changes the experience for our student-athletes” said John Paton, Executive Director for the ASAA. “The quality of their products, along with excellent customer service empowers us to not only provide our stakeholders with the products they need, but generates excitement at our events”.
“We are so excited to be able to provide the best merchandise experience to the student-athletes, Families, and Fans of Alberta. There is so much work that goes into making these Championships memorable and we want to be able to make sure the merchandise experience is top notch for Provincials. We have had many partnerships in Alberta in the past with a great response at our merch booth–we know partnering with the ASAA gives us the opportunity to extend our positive impact.” said Victor Sviridyuk, Director of Sales & Business Development for Northwest Designs.
ABOUT ASAA 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 11 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 NORTHWEST DESIGNS As the original on-site event apparel company since 1983, Northwest Designs specializes in on-site & online event specific apparel at the largest Provincial & National Championships in the country. Today we partner with 10+ National Governing Bodies, The Largest Girls Hockey Tournament in the world & we look forward to welcoming the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association to our growing list of successful long-term partnerships. more please check us out online at https://nwdinc.ca/
Five deserving student-athletes from Ontario High Schools have been awarded $550.00 scholarships by the OFSAA Alumni Association. Over 45 applications were received from the following eligible associations: COSSA, TDCAA, GHAC, NCSSAA, CISAA & NWOSSAA. This year’s winners are Gabi Grof from I.E. Weldon (COSSA), Anderson Steiner from Nelson (GHAC), Michael Kung of ÉSC Pierre-Savard (NCSSAA), Kaden Busch from St. Patrick (NWOSSAA) and Aya Kinsey from Fr. John Redmond (TDCAA).
Gabi Grof is a grade 12 student who plans to study Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor in the fall. During her time at I.E. Weldon in Lindsay, Ontario, Gabi took part in the following sports: cross country, golf, rugby, hockey, soccer, badminton, and track & field while maintaining a 95% average in her academic courses. She was also the Co-President of the school’s Athletic Union which was responsible for organizing numerous events for students and staff throughout the school year. Gabi was also heavily involved in community organizations including Care for the Elderly, Lindsay Lynx Girls Hockey Association and Fresh FueLL. In her personal statement, Gabi stated that “high school athletics have allowed me to experience a wider variety of sports at different levels of competition and have increased my social confidence significantly”. One of Gabi’s teacher-coaches said this about her importance to the athletic program at I.E. Weldon: “Gabi was considered one of the leaders on all of these teams, as she played a pivotal role for each and every team that she was a part of. Her positivity lifts the team when they need it and the coaches can always rely on her to get the momentum back on their side if need be.”
Michael Kung is a grade 12 student at ÉSC Pierre-Savard in Nepean, Ontario. Michael was involved in numerous sports at the school including volleyball, badminton, ultimate and volleyball while at the same time maintaining an average of over 90%. Michael was also a two-year member of the school’s student council and was President of the Sports Committee for the past two years. He has helped out in numerous school activities like the Relay for Life as the Marketing Director as well as being the photographer and editor of the school’s yearbook. His community outreach involvement is highlighted by his involvement as the volunteer coach in various club and elementary school volleyball programs in the Ottawa area. Michael believes that his involvement in school sport has allowed him “to become a student leader who has dedicated a lot of time into promoting physical health and encouraging people to try new things, in hopes that they will have a good time.” One of Michael’s teachers had this to say about him: “Michael’s leadership capabilities are evident in his current role as a coach for the grade 7 boys’ volleyball team, where he not only imparts his knowledge and expertise but also instills in his players the values of hard work, perseverance, and unity.” In the fall, Michael will be studying Commerce at the University of Ottawa.
Anderson Steiner is a grade 12 student at Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario. Another outstanding student-athlete with an average of 90%, Anderson participated in six different sports during her high school career. Being involved in basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, soccer, ultimate and badminton clearly illustrate how organized and dedicated Anderson was towards both her studies and athletics. In addition, Anderson was the President of the SAA as well as a member of the school’s Student Council and was the lead organizer in the first ever Relay for Life at Nelson. Her community involvement was extensive and included volunteering in activities like Special Olympics, track and field, and club tennis events. In her letter to the committee, Anderson emphasized that being a part of sports teams has allowed her to “learn valuable lessons about the genuine meaning of being a leader.” In her letter of recommendation to the committee, one of Anderson’s teachers said this about her: “In the realm of athletics, Anderson is a true standout. She is a phenomenal athlete, demonstrating exceptional skill, discipline, knowledge and sportsmanship.” In the fall, Anderson will be studying Business at either Western or Queens.
Kaden Busch is a grade 12 student at St. Patrick High School in Thunder Bay. During his time in high school, Kaden participated in golf, football, soccer and track and field. In addition, Kaden was involved in Student Council and Athletic Councils in leadership roles. His community involvement included volunteering as a minor baseball coach, assisting with drama and play productions and offering his services at local craft fairs. In his application, Kaden said this about the role of high school sports in his overall development: “Sports offer the ultimate opportunity to learn about yourself, to conquer your fears, to overcome every obstacle placed in front of you and grow as an individual and to challenge yourself not only physically but also socially, mentally and emotionally.” One of his teachers had this to say about Kaden: “Most importantly, he uses his abilities and personality to advocate for other students and teammates and focuses on making the school community an inclusive one through his kindness, positive attitude, and humility.” In September, Kaden is going to study Police Foundations at Confederation College.
Aya Kinsey is a grade 12 student at Fr. John Redmond CSS in Etobicoke, Ontario. In the fall, Aya is planning on attending Western University to study Economics. While at Redmond, Aya played soccer, softball, basketball, hockey, ultimate and was part of the track and field team. Aya is also an outstanding student, carrying an overall average of 97%. Aya was also extensively involved in community service in her local church and the City of Toronto sports camps as well as playing hockey on a boys’ team in the GTHL. In her personal essay, Aya reflected on her involvement in sport and how it helped to shape her as a person: “As a team player, I learned the importance of respect, dedication, and discipline as I balanced academics and extracurriculars. Through encouragement and challenges by coaches and teammates, I learned the importance of perseverance, as I navigated not only team adversities but personal ones.” One of her teacher-coaches had this to say about Aya and the impact that she has had at the school during her time there: “I have not seen many students her age excel as young leaders and driven people early in life, as a person, athlete and student. Aya has single-handedly transformed athletics at Redmond, where through the use of Instagram to create social media content, highlights and messages resulting she was able to significantly increase traffic in just a few months.”
OFSAA would like to congratulate Gabi, Michael, Anderson, Kaden and Aya and wishes them well in all of their future endeavours.
The Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to six student-athletes who will be continuing their post-secondary education at a Canadian College or University. Three males and three females are awarded a scholarship of $5,000. Preference is given to a student whose character is reflective of qualities that Brian Maxwell demonstrated in his life: honesty, integrity, compassion and an unwavering quest to accomplish the best they can, academically and athletically, while supporting fellow team members.
An awards reception will be held August 16th in Stouffville for the six students, their families and select teacher-coaches from their respective schools.
Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship recipients:
At the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the SHSAA, two deserving candidates were presented with the 2024 Merit Award – Ken Parker & Trevor Otsig. The Merit Award is the highest honour bestowed by the SHSAA. It is to honour people who have given outstanding leadership and service to the SHSAA and to the promotion of high school athletics in the Province of Saskatchewan.
15 deserving candidates were presented with the Service Award which honours people who have provided outstanding leadership, service, and the promotion of high school athletics in their district.
Service Award Winners: check out SHSAA Facebook page for video of award winners contributions to school sport across Saskatchewan
Eric Cawood (BW)
Rory Bergermann (CV)
Garrett Karcha (EC)
Travis Flahr (HC)
Rene Quintal (NC)
Angelin Comfort (NE)
Brad Lejeune (NW)
Bill Birns (QV)
Nancy Buisson (RG)
Scott Hundseth (ST)
Jessica Blair (SHSAA)
Leanne Meili (SC)
Nathan Johnson (SE)
Kerri Keenleyside (SW)
Cathy Morrow (WC)
Congratulations to all of the award winners. The SHSAA would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your contributions to the Student-Athletes of Saskatchewan and for your promotion and dedication to School Sport.
By: 
in bio)
