Sportsmanship Happens When Character, Courage and Participation Unite

BY MELANIE VAN DE WATER, DEAN OF STUDENTS

At HTS, our athletic program isn’t about winning or being the best; we focus on sportsmanship. Beginning in Lower School, students have the opportunity to participate in athletic opportunities that are of interest to them, at the level they desire. Participating in an organized school event, trying out for a team or being recognized for character attributes instills in our students sportsmanship values that we strive for. The social, collegial and competitive aspects of our athletic program encourage students to participate, developing courage and character through the many activities and experiences available to them.

Every school year, students participate in two organized full-school events, the Father Bob Run and Trinco Day. These

events bring students of all ages together to participate as a team with their House. Students wear their House colours, participate in non-traditional sports and cheer on their peers in friendly competition. Good-natured House rivalry is a part of the fun, and all Houses compete for the elusive House Trophy awarded at the end of the year. These events are great ways for students to try something new, push themselves further than the last year, and spend time connecting with their peers.

With a variety of spaces, activities and teams available, students have the ability to self-direct beyond organized school events and coordinated sports in physical health and education class. Intramural activities, co-curriculars,

competitive teams, pickup games during recess, our outdoor trail and the fitness room all give our students the opportunity to challenge themselves physically and mentally, while engaging in healthy competition amongst peers and leagues.

During the first week of school, tryouts for sports teams and sign-up for co-curriculars begin. Students find their courage when participating in a new sport unfamiliar to them, or trying out for a team with the hopes of making it. Some of our student-athletes also pursue an elite-level sport outside of school – our High-Performance Athlete Program offers support and flexibility to students who have heavy training schedules, encouraging them to follow their passion. These student-athletes show courage in their personal pursuit of greater achievement in their sport, and this program honours our athletes’ endeavours within our school and beyond.

In the 2017–2018 school year, many of our competitive teams and individuals stood out among the competition in their leagues. A number of students qualified for OFSAA in track and field, tennis and badminton, and the Senior Girls Volleyball and U14 Girls Field Hockey teams both took home championship titles. Whether it’s competing on a championship-winning team, or bonding together with a team that lost games all season, or just having fun shooting hoops at recess, every athletic pursuit has an impact. These experiences help develop character in our students, teaching them about dedication, commitment, leadership, team spirit and sportsmanship.

No matter the age, our students are recognized for their athletic achievements during our special Sports Chapels throughout the school year. Dedication in Sport awards are presented to Senior School students who have competed on a team for the duration of their high

school career and have displayed team spirit and true sportsmanship. The most prestigious athletic awards are based on character and sportsmanship throughout their career at HTS. Many of these awards are named after exceptional members of our community, such as the Doug Caines Award named after our previous Athletic Director who developed an athletics program that would offer our students choice and an opportunity to be a part of a team, in a competitive environment. Several awards are named after former students who embodied the character values HTS embraces, including integrity, courage and respect. The Gerry Ford Memorial Award and the Soar to the Mountains Award in Memory of Jimmy Corvese ’91 are examples of athletic awards that embody strength of character and sportsmanship. The names of all our athletic award winners are engraved on plaques that we hang proudly in our hallways – even long after these students have moved on from HTS.

Playing on a competitive team, participating in our cocurricular program or even taking a walk on our beautiful trail gives students the opportunity to participate in daily physical activity. Most importantly, our students challenge themselves in an environment where participation and sportsmanship are valued above all else. Through this focus on teamwork and participation, our students learn to practice, travel and compete with one another, creating bonds that last well past their time at school.