BC School Sports Participation Number Reach 10-Year High
August 31, 2023
BC School Sports is thrilled to share news of the remarkable increase in student-athlete participation during the 2022-2023 academic year. After the pandemic shut down school sport from March 2020 through to September 2021, there were concerns about its resiliency and sustainability. The over 450 BCSS member schools with a renewed emphasis on physical activity, inclusion, and engagement, drove opportunities for over 117,000 student-athlete registrations across 19 BCSS activities last year.
All of the staff at OFSAA are excited to have the 2023-24 school year upon us!
It will be another extraordinary year of participation and athletic achievement across our 45 championships and festivals covering 22 sports.
We look forward to celebrating our long 75 history and saluting the individuals and teams that have contributed greatly to the legacy of OFSAA.
Best of luck to all student-athletes, coaches, officials, convenors and volunteer organizing committees in 2023-24!
Assist Us In Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary! OFSAA’ s 75th Anniversary Planning Committee is excited to share the following plans which will be put in motion for the 2023-24 school year. • Thursday, April 18, 2024 – 75th Luncheon for current and past OFSAA dignitaries at the OFSAA Annual Meeting in Toronto. By Invitation Only.
• Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – With the support from the Ministry of Education, OFSAA DAY will take place in 400 schools. This will replace OFSAA TRY DAY for the 2023-24 school year only. Learn more at ofsaa.on.ca in the coming weeks.
• OFSAA will salute past team and individual achievements on its digital channels throughout the school year.
• Commemorative lanyards and decals have been produced for championship/festival events. Each school will receive a small supply of decals in the Fall Bulletin mailing.
• Random coaches – by way of a draw – will receive a complimentary gift at each championship/festival.
• A special, short video – “Celebrating 75 Years” – will be shown at all banquets this year.
• “75th Anniversary” clothing and merchandise items will be available online at The OFSAA SHOP by visiting ofsaa.on.ca/shop.
• OFSAA encourages the 18 Associations to plan special activities in their own local region as a way of recognizing the volunteers, athletes, coaches and officials who have contributed to the legacy of high school sport in Ontario.
In 2023-24, the Ministry of Education has approved funding for a special project to celebrate 75 years of OFSAA and the organization’s role in school sport. The focus is on participation and we hope as many public-funded secondary schools as possible will take part.
400 schools will receive $300 for equipment to conduct “OFSAA Day” on April 24, 2024. Activities can be indoor, outdoor or a combination – the selection is up to your school.
Sign up your school today to join in this special occasion!
NOTE: This OFSAA Day project replaces the Try Day grant for this year.
The PEISAA has announced the 2023 Charlie Ballum Builder’s Award has been presented to John Turner. In 2009 Turner was one of two individuals responsible for introducing Int Flag Football to the PEISAA. This spring there were 67 teams in Int Flag Football. Congratulations!
THE CHARLIE BALLEM “BUILDERS” AWARD The “Builders’ Award” is an Annual Award presented by the Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association. This Builders’Award is presented to a former member of the P.E.I.S.A.A. to recognize an outstanding contribution towards the promotion and development of School Athletics in Prince Edward Island.
CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD: In order to be nominated for this Award, the individual must have contributed to SchoolAthletics in any of the following: (A) Administrator: (1) Executive Member (2) Sport Commissioner (3) Committee Member (4) Tournament Manager (B) Builder: (1) Sport (2) Program (3) Constitution/By-Laws (C) Promotor – Advocate: (1) Education (2) School Athletics (3) Sport (4) Fair Play (D) Volunteer: (1) Coach (2) Manager / Liaison (3) Official (E) Recognition of the Values of School Athletics: In nominating an individual for this award, the nominator must be able to demonstrate how this nominee influenced the growth and development of School Athletics on Prince EdwardIsland.
We were thrilled to announce the 2022-2023 High School Athletes of the Year at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
The Association has four competition categories A, AA, AAA, and AAAA which are based on school populations. A male and female Athlete of the Year was selected from each category, along with the overall High School Male and Female Athlete of the Year.
“A” Girls: Sienna Gudnason of Glenboro School
“AA” Girls: Gianna Watt of Hapnot Collegiate
“AAA” Girls: Mia Sawatsky of W.C. Miller Collegiate
“AAAA” Girls: Kyu Fust of Dakota Collegiate
“A” Boys: Kieran Reid of Nellie McClung Collegiate
“AA” Boys: Chad Pouteau of Prairie Mountain High School
“AAA” Boys: Nicholas Parrott of Churchill High School
“AAAA” Boys: Colson Smith of Garden City Collegiate
The 2023 overall High School Female and Male Athletes of the Year are:
Mia Sawatsky of W.C. Miller Collegiate in Altona
Kieran Reid of Nellie McClung Collegiate in Manitou
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 11th in Stouffville for the six students, their families and select teacher-coaches from their respective schools.
Congratulations to the 2023 scholarship recipients:
Ryan Davies – Northern Collegiate Institute & Vocational School (Sarnia)
Chanell Duffy – Englehart High School (Englehart)
Nicole Hartnell – Applewood Heights Secondary School (Mississauga)
Florina Keller – Westdale Secondary School (Hamilton)
Ethan Rashid-Cocker – Bloor Collegiate Institute (Toronto)
Angus Skinner – Frontenac Secondary School (Kingston)
The PEISAA has announced Wayne Denman as the 2023 Garth Turtle Merit Award recipient. Wayne has been Intermediate and Senior Golf Commissioner for 20 years. Many of those years were spent as Co-Commissioner with Garth Turtle. Congratulations Wayne!
The PEISAA is pleased to announce Alice Champion as the winner of the 2023 Coaches Award! She has coached the Rural AAA Women’s Volleyball team the past 4 seasons, which included 2 Provincial titles, and before that the Colonel Gray Men’s team.
Alice moved to PEI to play volleyball for the Holland College Hurricanes. When her playing career was complete, it was a natural progression for Alice to step into the coaching ranks. Her efforts into creative practices and skill development, the sportsmanship she displays and role models for her student athletes make her a very worthy recipient. This is what one of her student athlete’s had to say “Alice has always been a committed coach, and she puts an incredible amount of time and energy into us and our team. Her coaching philosophy is that of fairness, compassion, competition and the development of each individual. Outside of the court she cares about her players and wants to see them succeed in a volleyball career and in their lives.” Congratulations Alice!
The PEISAA announced Avery Kerwin of Three Oaks is the winner of the inaugural “Brodie McCarthy Student Athlete of the Year” award. David and Lisa McCarthy made the presentation on Thursday evening at the Three Oaks Graduation. The award includes a $500 scholarship.
High schools were able to nominate 1 Grade 12 student for consideration of this award. Criteria included academics, participation in PEISAA sanctioned sports, involvement in other activities within their school and community and sportsmanship. The PEISAA received nominations from 11 high schools and all were outstanding candidates. We would like to thank David and Lisa for their participation on the selection committee, with one member of the PEISAA for this very difficult decision. We would like to recognize all the nominees for being selected to represent their school for this prestigious award: Amelia Murphy – Kensington Julia Smith – Colonel Gray Brooke Walsh – Chaarlottetown Rural MacKenzie Cutcliffe – Kinkora Lydia Enman – Ecole Sur Mer Skye MacNeill – Montague Natalie Mowat – Immanuel Christian Anna Harris – Souris Cyriah Richard – Westisle Elsie Taweel – Bluefield Congratulations to all nominees on representing their school and all student athletes!
HIGH SCHOOL SLOPITCH PROVINCIALS: Memorial Marauders, Inverness Rebels post opening day victories in respective tournaments
Jeremy Fraser | Posted: 20 hours ago | Updated: 20 hours ago | 2 Min Read
BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – The Memorial Marauders kicked off the School Sport Nova Scotia Division 1 boys’ slopitch provincial championship with a pair of wins in Bridgewater on Friday.
The Sydney Mines-based Marauders edged Amherst 24-23 before posting an 18-15 victory over Halifax West.
Meanwhile, the Glace Bay Panthers dropped both games on opening day, losing 12-6 to Sackville and 11-7 to Dr. J.H. Gillis.
Memorial will finish the round robin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against West Kings. Glace Bay will play before them at 9 a.m. against the host Park View.
In the Division 3 girls’ provincial tournament in Arichat, the Inverness Rebels picked up two wins on Day 1 of the two-day event on Friday.
Inverness beat Oxford 9-6 as well as New Germany 14-4.
The host Ecole Beau-Port suffered a pair of losses to Tatamagouche 17-11 and North Queens 19-4.
Results from the Division 1 girls’ tournament in Canning as well as the Division 2 girls’ event in Judique, Division 2 boys’ tournament in Kennetcook, and Division 3 boys’ competition in Sheet Harbour were not available at publication time.
Cape Breton teams to host SSNS slopitch provincial championships this weekend
Jeremy Fraser | Posted: June 8, 2023, 4:07 p.m. | Updated: June 8, 2023, 4:07 p.m. | 3 Min Read
MABOU, N.S. — Two Cape Breton teams will host School Sport Nova Scotia slo-pitch provincial championship tournaments this weekend.
Dalbrae Academy of Mabou will host the Division 2 girls’ tournament at Leo A. MacDonell Ball Field in Judique and the Creignish Ball Field in Creignish.
The tournament will feature Dalbrae, Strait Area Education Recreation Centre, Barrington, Springhill, Richmond, Hants North, Eastern Shore and Shelburne.
Dalbrae will play Strait Area on Friday at 10 a.m. and Barrington at 4 p.m. in Judique, before facing Springhill at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Strait Area will play Springhill at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and Barrington at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Richmond will face Hants North at 10 a.m. and Eastern Shore at 2:30 p.m. on Friday before playing Shelburne on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
The semifinal games are Saturday at 12:30 p.m. followed by the bronze medal and championship games later in the day at 2:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Ecole Beau-Port of Arichat will host the Division 3 girls’ event.
The tournament will include Ecole Beau-Port, East Antigonish, North Queens, Tatamagouche, Inverness, Marine Drive, Oxford and New Germany.
The host Ecole Beau-Port will play Friday at 10 a.m. against North Queens, and 3 p.m. against Tatamagouche. The team will also face East Antigonish at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday.
As for Inverness, they play on Friday at 1 p.m. against Oxford and 4:30 p.m. against New Germany. The club will challenge Marine Drive at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The semifinal games are Saturday at 12:45 p.m. followed by the bronze medal and championship games later in the day at 2:45 p.m.
Other Cape Breton teams in slo-pitch provincial championships:
Division 1 Boys – Park View Education Centre, Bridegwater:
Friday:
• 10 a.m. – Glace Bay vs. Sackville
• 1 p.m. – Memorial vs. Amherst
• 2:30 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
• 4 p.m. – Memorial vs. Halifax West
Saturday:
• 9 a.m. – Glace Bay vs. Park View
• 10:30 a.m. – Memorial vs. West Kings
*****
Division 1 Girls – Northeast Kings Education Centre, Canning:
Friday:
• 1 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. Northumberland
• 4 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. Northeast Kings
Saturday:
• 9 a.m. – Dalbrae vs. Bay View
*****
Division 2 Boys – Hants North Rural High School, Kennetcook:
Friday:
• 10 a.m. – Richmond vs. Eastern Shore
• 1 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. South Colchester
• 2:30 p.m. – Richmond vs. Hants North
• 4 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. Liverpool
Saturday:
• 9 a.m. – Dalbrae vs. Northeast Kings
• 10:30 a.m. – Richmond vs. Barrington
*****
Division 3 Boys – Marine Drive Academy, Sheet Harbour:
Friday:
• 10 a.m. – Baddeck vs. North Queens
• 1:30 p.m. – Beau-Port vs. River Hebert
• 3 p.m. – Baddeck vs. Marine Drive
• 4:30 p.m. – Beau-Port vs. Lockeport
Saturday:
• 9 a.m. – Beau-Port vs. Tatamagouche
• 10:30 a.m. – Baddeck vs. Pugwash
– Jeremy Fraser is the sports reporter for the Cape Breton Post. Follow him on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.
The 1990 Grey Cup was held in Winnipeg for the first time and as a result, a profit was generated. Part of the profit was directed to a legacy for high school coaching. Each year the MHSAA selects its Male and Female High School Coach of the Year and a $1,000 prize is awarded to both individuals courtesy of the Grey Cup Legacy Fund.
The Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship is awarded in honor of Alexander Josephson, a student and hockey player at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2005. He was a member of the 2003 Provincial Championship Team and selected as a Provincial All-Star. The recipient of this scholarship is a player who demonstrates strong leadership and team play, high scholastic standing, a hard-working attitude, and is proceeding to a post secondary education. A male and female hockey player will each receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Garett Lee Sidor, a student at Windsor Park Collegiate, was an outstanding young student athlete. His life tragically ended on May 13, 2007. Garett participated in many sports, including hockey, volleyball, and basketball. He was selected as an All-Star in the 2007 Provincial AAA Basketball Championships which his Windsor Park Royals captured. He was also named to the All Manitoba Team. Garett’s friends and Family have set two scholarships to be awarded to a male and female high school basketball player who displays sportsmanship, leadership, and outstanding ability. A scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded annually to a male and female basetball player. Nominations will be taken by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association and scholarship funds will be administered through the Garett Lee Sidor Scholarship Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation. Contributions to this fund may be made by contacting the Winnipeg Foundation.
To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, teams must somehow have distinguished themselves above and beyond the normal standards. These may include: undefeated seasons, consecutive league, zone, or provincial championships wins, or appearances. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee shall select no more than one team in any year and may choose not to select any team.
Nomination of a builder shall not be considered unless they have at least ten (10) years of service within the high school athletic community in Manitoba and have contributed to the success of Manitoba high school athletes over a period of time. Would include any individual who has distinguished himself/herself by demonstrating exceptional leadership and character. This may include contributions as a coach (head or assistant coach), volunteer, official and/or administrator. Will have been instrumental in the development of the sport, school program and/or event.
This could include:
having coached a team or individual that has consecutive appearances and/or won consecutive, league, zone and/or provincial championships.
Earned conference, zone, league, provincial or national coaching award(s).
Was instrumental in developing and building a successful athletic program.
Involved with committees or boards that were instrumental in the development of high school sport championships, events and athlete development opportunities/policies.
Involved in the hosting of numerous successful event, tournaments, and/or provincial championships for high school athletes, spanning numerous years.
Sami-Jo Small was a tremendous athlete in high school and represented Canada at three Olympic Games, in two of which, Team Canada won gold. She was also a member of five World Championship winning teams for Canada and was MHSAA Athlete of the Year and Scholar/Athlete Award winner in 1994, while attending College Jeanne Sauve. The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame presents the Sami Jo Small Award, a $1,000 scholarship to a female high school hockey player who is recognized for a combination of excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.
Dale Iwanoczko was an outstanding student and athlete who began his volleyball career playing for Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. He advanced to the University of Manitoba where he was named a five time All Canadian and C.I.S. Most Valuable Player in 1991. He was also a member of Volleyball Manitoba’s Provincial Team & Canada Games programs. Dale was Valedictorian, Governor General Medal Award Winner, and Athlete of the Year at Selkirk in Grades 11 & 12. He proceeded to obtain his medical degree from the University of Manitoba. Dale Iwanoczko left the sports world at the age of 30, after succumbing to Hodgkin’s Disease, a battle he had fought for fourteen months. Friends and colleagues of Dale have come together to create $1,000 scholarships in his name to be presented to rural and urban high school volleyball players.
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame is the sponsor of the Ken ‘Friar’ Nicolson Award. This award is named in honour of long-time CJOB radio Winnipeg Jets play-by-play broadcaster Ken Nicolson. Ken was a tremendous supporter of high school hockey and served on the organization committee for the first two Provincial High School Championships. The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame presents a $1,000 scholarship to a high school hockey player who is recognized for a combination of excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.
The Manitoba’s Credit Unions Scholar Athlete Award is presented to four students annually who maintain a minimum of 85% average and participate in at least two interscholastic high school athletic activities. Manitoba’s Credit Unions awards each Scholar Athlete a $1,000 scholarship.
The Frank L. McKinnon Award is presented to an outstanding contributor to high school atheltics. The award is named in honour of long time Principal of Carman Collegiate, Frank McKinnon who was a past Board member and President of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association.
WINNIPEG JETS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS HOCKEY SCHOLARSHIPS
Presented to one male and one female graduating high school hockey player – a $2,500 scholarship to be used towards post secondary education. The criteria for this award includes a person’s on-ice skills and achievements, as well as off-ice activities including: leadership in school and community, participation in school and community activities. Applications are evaluated by a committee made up of retired NHL players.
The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association is based on the tremendous support of volunteers, teacher, coaches, corporate sector, media, and other persons interested in the promotion of school sport. The MHSAA annually recognizes the contribution of such individuals and presents certificates of recognition.
The Fred Stevenson Award is named in honour of long time hockey coach Fred Stevenson of St. John’s-Ravenscourt. The $1,000 Scholarship is sponsored by the Stevenson Family.
The Nick Laping Leadership Award is in honour of a great friend of high school sport, Nick Laping. Nick started his teaching career at John Taylor Collegiate and coached the John Taylor Pipers and St. Paul’s Crusaders in Basketball. Nick left teaching and went into the business community working for Jr. Achievement and later on as Vice President of Human Resources at the Birchwood Group. His was a real leader in sport and always cared about his high school sport roots.
Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Athlete of the Week Athlete of the Week is awarded to outstanding rural and urban student athletes.
Be sure to check out the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Instagram account,@manitoba_dairy, where each week they will post the weekly recipients and encourage their followers to show their support for the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Athlete of the Week!
Every Tuesday the winners will be posted to Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Instagram story. Please ensure you are following for your chance to share!
Coaches and schools, get your nominations in by every Monday morning!
Please note, you must be logged into mhsaa.ca to complete your nomination.
