Click here for latest newsletter from OFSSA – June 2024

June 2024 – eNewsletter

To view the latest edition of the SHSAA monthly eNewsletter, please click here. 

June 2024 Newsletter.pdf

Click here for newest information and ideas

FREE webinar regarding the Canadian Guidelines on Concussion in Sport on June 20, 2024

Want to know the differences between the 1st and 2nd edition of the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport? Sign up for this free webinar on Thurs. June 20, noon to 1 p.m., presented by

@ParachuteCanada & @SIRCtweets and hosted by @scowle#ConcussionEdhttps://ow.ly/8roR50SgXic

Congratulations to Madi Kutsch and Edward Capstick for being our April Athlete of the Month Winners!

For Athlete of the Month awards, the ASAA places high value on accomplishments achieved throughout the month.

Future athletes of the month are based primarily on accomplishments from the previous month.

Our deadline for the Athlete of the Month nominations is the 1st of each month.

Congratulations to Hannah Hurtubise and Matt Dirks for being our May Athlete of the Month Winners!

For Athlete of the Month awards, the ASAA places high value on accomplishments achieved throughout the month.

The last athletes of the month will be based primarily on accomplishments from the previous month.

Congratulations to our Athletes of the Month for May, Beth Harris and Ehizjie Agbato

After overcoming multiple injuries, this Spartan senior finished out her senior year with a basketball banner and a trip to the regional track and field championships in Rexton. She is a leader on and off the field, and as Captain she works hard every day. Last winter, she managed to come back from 17 points behind in the second half by completing six three-point shots to help the Spartans win the ASINB AA banner for the first time since 2000. That effort earned her the Player of the Match. She is a volleyball player that finished third in the South and qualified for regionals, captain of the rugby team, and a strong discus and bleach thrower.

Ehi was selected for this award because of his contributions and leadership in the HTHS track team. Not only has Ehi dedicated himself to perfecting his technique in his personal vault and hurdles, but he also supported and led our team of 80 athletes throughout the spring season. Ehi is a voice on the team that is respected by his teammates and coaches. He helped the Trojans win AAA Track and Field provincial banners in 2023 and 2024 He’s the competitor, athlete and teammate that all coaches appreciate. HTHS is very proud to have Ehi representing our school, on the track, in the classroom and in our community.

Congratulations to both athletes and thank you coaches and staff for taking the time to recognize these amazing students.

Introducing our May 2024 @BCMilk Athlete of the Month: Tayla Mcmillan from NorKam Secondary! Tayla took on the role of captain this year with a natural ability to lead and assist coaches she has set a fantastic example. On the field, Tayla is a force to be reckoned with!

Meet our May 2024 @BCMilk Athlete of the Month: Daniel Quia from @EcoleKwantlen! As captain of the senior ultimate team, Daniel has been an integral part of building the team up the last three years leading to an undefeated 2024 league season.

ASAA Director of Operations Job Posting 2024

The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association is conducting a search for a Director of Operations. The successful candidate will be required to attend in person to work in our office.

Job Title: Director of Operations

Organization: Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA)

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Start Date: August 15, 2024

For more information on the job posting, please click the button below to view.

 ASAA Director of Operations Job Posting

ASAA Future Executive Director

The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) is pleased to announce that, following a recruitment process and after interviewing several candidates, Brad Van Raalte has been selected to become the new Executive Director of the ASAA following current Executive Director John Paton’s retirement in December 2024.

For more information on the announcement, please click the button below to view.

 ASAA Future Executive Director – Annoucement

OFSAA’s Character Athlete Award celebrates the efforts of the exceptional student-athletes in Ontario who best exemplify the characteristics that OFSAA is founded on.

Nominations come to the OFSAA office detailing the exceptional character of student-athletes from across the province. This year’s recipients inspire those around them with their involvement on the playing field and in the classroom, in both school and community.

To learn more about the award and the process to apply please go to https://www.ofsaa.on.ca/recognition/scholarships/character-athlete-award

Selecting just two females and two male winners from the over 100 submissions is not an easy task, but these four individuals stood out for their commitment to OFSAA’s values of leadership, equity, respect and sportsmanship. Each winner will receive a $500 grant from Baron Rings, a commemorative plaque and a Baron ring to recognize this outstanding achievement.

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Le Prix d’esprit sportif de la FASSO récompense les efforts d’élèves athlètes exceptionnels en Ontario qui incarnent les valeurs fondamentales de la FASSO.

La FASSO reçoit des mises en candidature détaillant le caractère exceptionnel d’élèves athlètes de partout en province, qui inspirent leur entourage par leur participation aux sports scolaires et leur implication scolaire et communautaire.

Sélectionner seulement deux femmes et deux hommes gagnants parmi plus de 100 candidatures est une tâche difficile, mais ces quatre personnes se sont démarquées par leur engagement envers les valeurs de leadership, d’équité, de respect et d’esprit sportif de l’OFSAA.

Merci à notre commanditaire, Baron Rings, d’avoir décerné une bourse de 500 $ à chacun de nos deux lauréats.

2023-24 Female Recipient: Gwen Appiah

Nomination by:  Nick Vescio

Gwen Appiah, a 12th-grade student at James Cardinal McGuigan High School (TDCAA), is a shining example of leadership, excellence, and advocacy both on the track and within her school community.

As a dedicated athlete, Gwen has excelled in track and field, showcasing her talent and determination. Her achievements as a TDCAA Champion in the 100m and high jump, along with her success in various other events, highlight her athleticism and competitive spirit. Gwen’s role as the anchor on the 4x100m relay team reflects her reliability and leadership on the track, contributing to her team’s success year after year. On the school’s 2023 flag football team, Gwen was the main weapon on offence.

Beyond athletics, Gwen’s impact extends into various clubs and initiatives within the school community. As the founder of the Girls Fitness Club, she has created a supportive environment for female students to engage in physical fitness, promoting health and well-being. Additionally, her involvement in the Book Club and Safe Space Inclusivity Club demonstrates her commitment to fostering intellectual growth and creating spaces of inclusion and acceptance for all students.

Gwen’s leadership extends beyond her school’s walls through her involvement in ThriveSMH, where she works to promote mental health awareness and provide resources to students across the province. Her dedication to advocating for mental health reflects her compassion and empathy for others, further solidifying her status as a role model and leader.

Despite her initial reservations in large groups, Gwen has emerged as a confident and influential leader within the James Cardinal McGuigan community. Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her unwavering dedication to her peers and causes she believes in, has earned her the respect and admiration of both staff and students alike.

As Gwen looks towards the future, with aspirations of pursuing teaching and track at the university level, her impact and legacy within her school community will undoubtedly continue to inspire and empower others for years to come. Her selection as the representative for James Cardinal McGuigan at the Jean Augustine Awards speaks volumes about her commitment to advocating for equality and social justice, particularly for black female empowerment.

Gwen Appiah is a true leader, both on and off the track, and is deserving of recognition for her outstanding contributions to her school and community.

2023-24 Female Recipient:  Julia Elmslie

Nomination by:  Cisca Campolongo

Julia Elmslie, a 12th-grade student at John F Ross CVI (CWOSSA), epitomizes dedication and leadership both on and off the field. With a rich array of extracurricular involvements, Julia stands out for her commitment to community service and sportsmanship.

In her role as Founder and Coordinator of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Initiative, Julia has showcased her ability to organize and lead impactful projects. Her initiative, aimed at nurturing leadership skills in elementary school classrooms, demonstrates her proactive approach to addressing community needs. Moreover, her volunteer engagement with the Darling Home for Kids underscores her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, showcasing compassion and empathy. She is also a Deca chapter participant and a member of the KidsAbility Youth Council. Her vast number of 600 volunteer hours has allowed her to grow as she had to alter her goals due to injury and make new ideas come to fruition.

Julia’s contributions extend beyond community service to the area of athletics. As a member of the U18AA Guelph Jr. Gryphons Hockey Team and participant in field hockey and ice hockey teams throughout high school, Julia has demonstrated her versatility and dedication as an athlete. Her involvement in sports has not only fostered personal growth but has also provided her with opportunities to give back, such as her role as a lifeguard and as a hockey referee for the Guelph Hockey Referee Association.

Despite facing challenges, Julia has remained resilient and adaptable, exemplifying the spirit of perseverance. Her positive attitude and commitment to excellence have earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and mentors alike.

In recognition of her outstanding character, leadership, and sportsmanship, Julia Elmslie is a deserving candidate for the character athlete award. Her contributions both on and off the field embody the values of integrity, compassion, and service, making her a role model for her peers and the community.

2023-24 Male Recipient:  Emmadson Jean-Baptiste

Nomination by:  Crystal Ferguson

Emmadson Jean-Baptiste, a graduating student at Notre Dame High School (EOSSAA), is an exceptional leader both on and off the field, embodying the essence of a character athlete through his dedication, compassion, and principled approach to life.

As a versatile athlete participating in various sports such as volleyball, tennis, cross country, soccer, track and field, badminton, and ultimate, EJ has showcased his athletic prowess and commitment to excellence. He has participated in OFSAA championships for volleyball and he has aspirations for javelin and high jump at OFSAA Track and Field in June. EJ’s leadership on the field is evident through his role as a motivator and team player, inspiring others to strive for greatness and embodying the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Beyond athletics, EJ’s impact extends into his school community through his involvement in various initiatives and organizations. As the Athletic Council president, he has demonstrated organizational skills and dedication by overseeing and managing intramural sports activities, as well as volunteering with Special Olympics. His compassion and dedication to inclusivity are further evident through his involvement with the Black Student Alliance and ND Leads, where he has organized events and mentored grade 7 and 8 students, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.

In summary, EJ’s exemplary leadership, dedication to athletics, and commitment to making a positive impact within his school community exemplify the qualities of a true character athlete. His influence extends far beyond the playing field, and his genuine compassion and principled approach to life serve as an inspiration to others. EJ’s contributions and leadership are a testament to his character and the positive legacy he leaves within the Notre Dame High School community.

2023-24 Male Recipient:  Ben Huziak

Nomination by:  Tyson Grinsell

Ben Huziak, a 12th-grade student at Fort Frances High School (NWOSSAA), exemplifies outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, and selflessness both on and off the field, earning him the respect and admiration of his peers and coaches alike.

Throughout his high school career, Ben has been actively involved in various sports, including football, basketball, badminton, track and field, and curling. His dedication to athletics is matched only by his commitment to serving his school and community.

As a member of the Athletic Association, Ben has consistently volunteered for various events and sporting activities, demonstrating reliability, trustworthiness, and a strong work ethic. Whether it’s maintaining the football field, operating the scoreboard during basketball games, or refereeing tournaments for Grade 7 and 8 athletes, Ben’s willingness to go above and beyond has had a significant impact on the success of these events.

Ben’s leadership extends beyond his roles in sports. As team captain and role model, he leads by example, exhibiting exceptional work ethic, communication skills, and respect for teammates, coaches, and officials. His dedication to helping younger athletes develop and grow is evident through his coaching efforts in badminton and his willingness to assist and support his peers both on and off the field.

Ben’s character shines through in moments of selflessness and kindness, such as his decision to forego starting in his last home basketball game to allow a teammate’s parent to witness their child’s moment in the spotlight on Senior Night. This act of generosity and empathy speaks volumes about Ben’s character and underscores his commitment to putting others before himself.

Ben is an excellent student and athlete and always displays great sportsmanship. He was a member of the school’s curling team which was recognized with the 2023 Boys’ Curling Team Sportsmanship Award.

In summary, Ben Huziak embodies the values of sportsmanship, leadership, and selflessness both on and off the field. His dedication to serving his school and community, coupled with his exemplary character and integrity, make him a true asset to Fort Frances High School and a deserving recipient of the Character Athlete Award.

Leadership Training Courses start this week and are your last chance for virtual LTP sessions before the year! Do not delay, register now. 

Elevate your Athletic Department and unlock your leadership potential this spring with our CIAAA LTP Courses. The upcoming courses will cover Foundational Philosophy, Enhanced Legal Issues, Creating an Athletic Handbook and Student Leadership Development, full course dates and descriptions below. 

We are offering a Spring Series Course discount and all registrations will be reduced to $99 plus fees. Use the code #SpringLTP at check out for each course. 

REGISTER NOW

Thursday May 23 – LTP 506C: Legal Issues II – Enhanced Legal Issues
This course covers legal aspects such as discrimination, harassment, bullying, hazing, and violence in sports, providing participants with definitions and applications within both sports and scholastic environments. It also addresses emerging online issues like cyberbullying, online privacy, defamation, and coach-athlete relationships on social media platforms, offering insights on effective management. Additionally, participants will learn about employment law practices related to teacher and volunteer coach relationships.

Monday May 27 – LTP 501C: Philosophy, Organizational Structure & Professional Development 
This course is aimed at assisting athletic directors set the tone for their program. Origins of athletic administration are addressed in addition to codes of ethics. The concept of “educational athletics” is discussed and refined. The role of the athletic administrator and the importance of having a school philosophy are addressed and workshop participants have the opportunity to interact with others to refine their own philosophies. 
**LTP 501C is the one of three fundamental courses required for the CRAA Certification

Thursday May 30 – LTP 602C: Creating Your Athletic Handbook 
This course is designed to guide attendees through the process of creating a complete and effective athletic handbook. Effective athletic handbooks provide vision/direction for your program, disseminate critical information to your constituents and can save Athletic Administrators countless hours. This is a working course where attendees will be provided with a number of templates as a starting point and surrounded by experienced Athletic Administrators leading the course. Attendees will be expected to come prepared with a list of school and district-specific documents to guide them during the handbook creation process.

Wednesday June 5 – LTP 726C: Student Leadership Development 
Student Leadership Development is an essential component to any successful education-based athletic program. In this course, we’ll look at numerous ways to actively develop leaders who will serve your school as well as the greater community. Topics that will be covered include: captains council, student leadership workshops, service learning, and further opportunities to develop Student Leadership.

Let the CIAAA plan your Professional Development day for the 2024-2025 School Year? Contact us to discuss what will work best for your group and let us find something to suit your needs! 

Sullivan Heights Secondary receives Inspirational School Award from BC School Sports

Sullivan Heights Secondary has been named Inspirational School of 2024 by BC School Sports (BCSS) as part of the annual BCSS Awards, held last week in Kelowna.

The Inspirational School Award recognizes schools for their outstanding commitment to a positive school culture, improving the lives of students and creating new athletic opportunities for students to excel. The recognition marks the first time in the award’s 20-year history that a district school in Surrey has won.

“This is one of the best honours we could have ever received,” said Sullivan Heights athletic director Gary Atwal. “We’re so proud to have won this because it recognizes years of hard work for some of the teachers that have been here.”

By developing more opportunities for students to get involved in sports, Sullivan Heights now runs more than 40 teams per year and has more than 400 student athletes.

“The overall engagement of our students has grown,” said Atwal. “We used to just have athletes supporting athletes, but now we’ve created such a strong school community that our gyms are often packed with fans for each game.”

In addition to fostering a supportive school community, Atwal noted a key part of the staff’s approach is to ensure that the effort students exert on the field and court is extended into the classroom and their academic careers.

“They need to take responsibility of their own academic progress in order to make sure they’re in good standing for athletics,” he said.

The result, said Atwal, is that students develop the confidence to apply themselves in all aspects of life. That confidence is further exhibited when students realize they are ambassadors for their school community – they don’t simply compete for themselves.

“There’s been a big shift in how students take pride in representing their school,” he said. “They know they’re representing our school at all times and there’s a standard that goes with that.”

Congratulations to everyone at Sullivan Heights Secondary!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Zh7nmphPXPM%3F%26wmode%3Dopaque%26rel%3D0

• https://youtu.be/Zh7nmphPXPM

Celebrate Ontario’s Coaches – Nominations Now Open!

Each year, the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in partnership with Hydro One, recognizes the important role coaches play in building a culture of safety for their participants across Ontario.

Through the CAO, the “OFSAA School Sport Coaching Award”  will salute one male coach and one female coach in the province during National Coaches Week 2024.

Nominations are now open!

Let’s single out those individuals who play an important role with their teams, sport and community.

Learn more and apply here.

#ThanksCoach

Congratulations to our athletes of the month for April, Delaney and Joe from Harvey High School.

Delaney is on top of her academic and athletic form at Harvey High School. She maintains an excellent academic standard while participating in numerous curricular and extracurricular sports. This year, she helped her basketball team get to TD Station, where her team came back from a 19 point deficit to win the banner for Harvey. She scored 17 points and took 12 rebounds in this game. She was also named an NBIAA star for the second straight year. Delaney is an important part of the Harvey community as she is a role model for students and athletes younger than her. When she’s not working on her studies or playing sports, Delaney is always involved as a referee, working on the scoreboards, or cheering and supporting other teams.

Joe is an essential member of the Harvey High School’s academic and athletic community. At school, he is a positive role model and shows great team spirit throughout the year. Young students admire him and teachers appreciate the work and effort he puts in. Joe is helping coach and is part of the HHS live stream team filming and commenting on school sports! Joe shows passion, dedication and sportsmanship in every sport he plays but most importantly basketball. No matter what game Joe is in it’s easy to see he’s the leader of the team. If he’s on the bench he’s cheering for his team. If he’s on the field, he plays both defense and offense, and he’s the very definition of a hardcore player on both sides of the field. In 2023 he helped his team to a victory at TD station and in 2024, he was named one of the NBIAA’s All-Stars.

Congratulations to both athletes and thank you to the coaches and staff for taking the time to recognize these outstanding students.

Introducing our April 2024 @BCMilk Athlete of the Month: Chanelle Zhu from St. Thomas More! A pivotal force for their Ultimate team, Chanelle is a game-changer with big plays and a mentor to STMC’s junior team, embodying excellence on and off the field. Congratulations, Chanelle!

Meet our April 2024 @BCMilk Athlete of the Month: Kobe Li from @pmss43! Kobe, a dedicated student-athlete at Port Moody, shines as a leader & team captain in ultimate. His proactive involvement in his school community will leave an impact for years to come. Congratulations Kobe!

Congratulations to Athena Sveinbjornson and David Chijioke for being our Athlete of the Month Winners for March!

For this month’s Athlete of the Month awards, the ASAA decided to place high value on accomplishments that were achieved in March.

Future athletes of the month will continue to be based primarily on accomplishments from the previous month.

Our deadline for the April Athlete of the Month nominations is May 15th and the deadline will be the 1st of each month going forward.