A Shared Journey, One Last Championship

The 2025 Badminton School Championships marked the end of an important chapter for coach Jeffrey Watson and athletes Shanika Sutherland and Vanessa Song from École Sir John Franklin High School. What unfolded on court was more than competition, it was the culmination of years of growth, trust, and shared experience.

Jeffrey began coaching during the COVID years, a time when opportunities to gather, train, and compete were limited. Shanika was one of the first athletes to join his program, then a Grade 9 student finding her footing in the sport.

“In my first year of coaching, Shanika was one of my athletes,” Jeffrey said. “Now, four years later, she’s graduating.”

Vanessa joined the program the following year, quickly forming a close bond with Shanika. Over time, the two athletes grew not only in skill, but in confidence, leadership, and presence on court. Their development reflected the kind of steady progress that comes from consistent support and belief.

This championship was their final school competition together, a moment that carried both pride and emotion for their coach.

“It’s one of those bittersweet moments,” Jeffrey shared. “I’m very glad they’re competing, but I’m going to be very sad that they’re leaving.”

As both athletes look ahead to college or university, possibilities remain open for future competition, whether at events like the Yukon Open or beyond. For Jeffrey, the outcome that matters most is not medals, but the role sport continues to play in their lives.

Their story is a reminder that school sport is about more than results. It is about relationships built over time, lessons learned through effort and challenge, and the quiet impact of showing up, season after season, for one another.

Past and present staff of OFSAA were saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Hancock in Orillia on November 13th, 2025.

Bob was a former OFSAA 100m hurdle champion who went on to become a dedicated elementary teacher with the Toronto District School Board. Post retirement, he served on the OFSAA staff as a Special Projects Officer/Sport Coordinator for cross country, track & field and alpine skiing.

Known by many as “The Voice” in track & field and cross country circles, Bob spent many hours announcing track events across Ontario and Canada.

OFSAA extends our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and his many friends.

FULL OBITUARY HERE

Remembering Larry Lafrentz

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our former SHSAA Executive Directors, Larry Lafrentz (December 30, 1953 – November 12, 2025). 

Born in Estevan, Larry attended Immaculate Heart High School before graduating from Estevan Collegiate.  He earned his education degree from the University of Regina and began a career that would impact the lives of countless students, athletes, and colleagues over more than three decades.

Larry taught for fourteen years in Gull Lake where he also served as Athletic Director (1976-1990).  His involvement with athletics extended to most high school sports.  His teams displayed sportsmanship combined with excellence on the fields of play.  He coached the Gull Lake Lions football team and the Gull Lake Lionettes/Lions basketball teams and had very impressive records, earning several provincial medals.  Larry’s talents also extended to officiating where he was a respected official in football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and fastball; he shared this expertise when not coaching.  Larry was not only viewed as an excellent coach by his students but as a teacher who was interested and cared about them.  His office door was always open, and students were always there sharing their experiences with him.

Larry’s District involvement while teaching and coaching included two years as Officials’ Commissioner and four years as President of South West Athletic Conference (SWAC).  During his time in Gull Lake, he also served two terms as Section I Representative on the SHSAA Executive Council (1978-80 and 1982-84) prior to becoming President of the Association (1988-90).

Larry accepted the position of Assistant Executive Director of the SHSAA in 1990.  He assumed the role of Executive Director in 2003, serving the Association until his retirement in 2008.  In these positions, Larry became a guiding voice for high school athletics across the province, helping to shape the experience of thousands of young athletes and the teacher-coaches who supported them.  He believed deeply in the power of athletics to build character, community, and lifelong friendships.

In his retirement, he cherished time with his family and friends, often found at the golf course, volunteering in the community, or cheering on the sidelines of his grandchildren’s activities.

Bryan Matheson and Kevin Vollet, Former Executive Directors of SHSAA, had the following to say, “It was a pleasure working with Larry who shared the passion for school sport with so many of his colleagues.  Larry always worked to make things better for the student-athletes in our province.”     

Larry is survived by his wife, Sherri, daughter Lacy (Matt), son Byron (Stephanie), grandchildren Emery, Nora, Lyla, and Luka, and his SHSAA family.
 

Larry Lafrentz Obituary

OFSAA Welcomes New Partner!

On July 1, 2025, OFSAA entered into a partnership with Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue-maximization company.

“We are thrilled to announce a strategic and groundbreaking partnership between the two organizations united by a shared vision and purpose,” said Shamus Bourdon, Executive Director of OFSAA. “This partnership marks a transformative moment in the strategic plan of OFSAA and we are excited to share the impact it will have on school sport in Ontario. We can’t wait to roll out the exciting changes and enhancements that this partnership will bring.”

“We’re excited and proud to partner with OFSAA,” stated Ian Frost, Vice President, Growth and Innovation – High School Properties at Playfly Sports. “Our top priority is to enrich the experiences and expand the opportunities available to students and school communities throughout the province. Through creative approaches to sponsorship, marketing and media, we’re ready to make a meaningful impact – together. We cannot wait to get started.”

With Playfly Sports offering its substantial financial resources within the marketing and sponsorship sports environment, OFSAA is poised to scale new financial heights, accelerating the delivery of event, programs and subsidies that OFSAA provides in schools. This partnership is about more than just financial strength – it’s about creating tangible, long-term benefits for all members.

Playfly Sports also has partnerships with OFSAA counterparts in four other Canadian provinces. British Columbia School Sports (BCSS) partnered with Playfly in 2022-23 and School Sport Alberta (SSA) joined in 2023-24. The Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) is joining the Manitoba High School Athletic Associations (MHSAA) and OFSAA as we begin this exciting new partnership in the 2025-26 school year.

Ian Lederer joined the OFSAA office team in August as Sports Properties General Manager. The Toronto resident and graduate of Centennial College can be reached at (647) 281-4488 or ian@ofsaa.on.ca.

ABOUT PLAYFLY SPORTS:

Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company, drives growth for its partners across the sports ecosystem – including 2,000+ brands, 100+ professional teams, 65+ college athletic departments, all U.S. local sports networks and associated streaming platforms, and other marquee properties. Its fan engagement platform allows its partners to reach and engage over 85% of all U.S sports fans. Playfly builds and implements custom strategies across media, sponsorship, premium experiences, ticketing and fan engagement offerings through proprietary data, innovative technology and compelling storytelling. Playfly operates an expansive portfolio of services with a data-driven and fan-focused approach to maximize revenue yield in key growth areas, such as media, sponsorship, ticketing, premium experiences and fan engagement offerings. Founded in September of 2020, Playfly Sports is now home to approximately 1,000 team members located across 43 U.S. states and internationally dedicated to maximizing the impact of highly passionate local sports fans. The company has been named a Best Place to Work in Sports by Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports, and Newsweek. To learn more, follow Playfly Sports on social media platforms or visit  www.Playfly.com

A time of 10.38 seconds in the Senior Boys’ 100 metres. Repeat champions in Girls’ AA Soccer.

Those are just a couple of the special milestones achieved in the OFSAA Championships & Festivals in May and June. Congratulations to sprinter Wyatt Lee of Frontenac SS (EOSSAA) and to Holy Trinity Catholic High School (GBSSA) and all of the other high-achievers from our 18 spring events held across the province.

Our spring championships and festivals once again brought out the best in student-athletes across Ontario.

Find the individual and team accomplishments in badminton, ultimate, rugby, field lacrosse, tennis, soccer, slo-pitch, baseball and track & field in the Fall Issue of the Bulletin Magazine.

We also salute our worthy recipients of the 2024-25 OFSAA Alumni Scholarship and Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship in the pages of this issue.

We can’t wait to see what’s in store for all of the participants who “punch their tickets” to OFSAA in this school year!

Just click here to read more

2025 SHSAA Fall Newsletter

Click here to view the 2025 SHSAA Fall semi-annual newsletter. 

Click September 2025 Newsletter for latest BC School Sport News

The Provincial Government is partnering with School Sports NL to launch the Safe Sport in Education course for NLSchools student athletes in grades 7-12.

The Safe Sport in Education course is locally developed and designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to foster safer, more respectful sporting environments within their schools.

Starting this month, all NLSchools student athletes will be required to complete the Safe Sport in Education course and submit their course completion certificate along with a signed NLSchools and School Sports NL Athletic Contract in order to join team activities. The course will be available through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI).

As this is the Year of Sport, this initiative aims to promote key values such as teamwork, good sportsmanship, ethics, inclusion, and safety in athletic programs in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Provincial Government supports opportunities to recognize and celebrate the many benefits of participating in school athletics. From fostering lifelong friendships to encouraging physical and mental well-being, sports play a vital role in schools and communities.

Quotes
“As we continue to mark the Year of Sport in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are proud to launch the Safe Sport in Education course in partnership with School Sports NL. This locally developed program empowers our student athletes with the knowledge and tools to foster respectful, inclusive, and safe sporting environments. By embedding these values into school athletics, we’re not only enhancing the student experience but also strengthening the role of sport in our communities.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

“Sport has the power to shape character and build community. By introducing the Safe Sport in Education course, we’re ensuring that student athletes not only grow in skill, but also in respect, inclusion, and integrity – values that will serve them well both on and off the field.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“As a long-standing partner in delivering school sport programs across Newfoundland and Labrador, School Sports NL is excited about the launch of the Safe Sport in Education course. Students benefit in so many ways from their involvement in school sport programs and it is imperative that we ensure they are as safe as possible. The Safe Sport in Education course is a valuable new resource designed to do just that.”
Karen Richard
Executive Director, School Sports NL

The Course is now live on CDLI. Check out our FAQs and NL Schools “How to Access” guide on our website. https://www.schoolsportsnl.ca/