News

Please see the attached PDF for information on applying for funding for Community-Wide and Try-It Day Events.

Keep a look out for your 2015-2016 membership package. Packages were sent by Lettermail or Parcel post via Canada Post on August 4. Schools should expect to see their packages by August 10. Inside the package you will find: 2015-2016 Handbook 2015-2016 Wall Calendar BCSS at a Glance Insurance Information CIAAA Athletic Director Workshop Flyer Sport Conference Flyer

The BC Games Society and BC School Sports are leaders in providing opportunities for the development of athletes and coaches in British Columbia.  These two organizations have formalized a new partnership which will see a coordinated effort to capitalize on joint initiatives for the benefit of our shared audiences.  The BC Winter and BC Summer Games offer important competitive and developmental opportunities for all eligible participants of BC.  BC School Sports offers programs and services directed towards student-athletes and/or the volunteer teacher and community coaches who spend hours of time helping students to achieve their goals. “Both the BC School Sports Board of Directors and staff look forward to a strong relationship with BC Games Society to enhance and grow opportunities for youth in British Columbia,” said Christine Bradstock, Executive Director of BC School Sports.  “The BC Winter and Summer Games showcase the best of BC and BC School Sports is proud to be a supporter and partner of the Society.” The strength and ongoing success of the provincial sport system is based, in part, on the need for strategic alliances and partnerships.  BC School Sports and the BC Games Society have worked in parallel for many years but recognized the benefits and new possibilities that could be created by forming a working partnership. “School sports contribute greatly to a student’s well being and the learning and coaching they receive from their school coaches contributes to their overall performance,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.   ‘Our BC Games athletes, coaches and officials benefit greatly from school sports and this partnership will reinforce the opportunities both organizations can provide.” About BC Games Society The BC Games Society is the leadership organization that guides the BC Winter and BC Summer Games and prepares Team BC for national multi-sport Games.  Since 1978, the BC Games have taken place in 38 communities and brought together thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators in celebration of sport and community excellence.  It is a milestone event that people count as an exceptional experience where memories, friendships, spirit, and pride are abundant. About BC School Sports BCSS is a voluntary non -profit society and charity with a membership of 425 schools and has served the athletes and volunteer coaches in our province for over 44 years. BCSS’s mission is to provide governance for interschool competition, encourage student participation in extra-curricular athletics and assist schools in the development and delivery of those programs. The BCSS Board of Directors relies upon the dedication, commitment and efforts of over 20,000 volunteers to run inter-school athletic programs for the 19 sport commissions that conclude with the 162 zone playoffs and 53 provincial championships.

Every year the BC Sports Hall of Fame awards two Jack Farley Youth Sports Achievement Awards. These scholarships are awarded to one outstanding male and one outstanding female amateur athlete graduating from a BC secondary school. These students will excel in a particular sport and exemplify the values, commitment and contribution to the community held by Jack Farley, an honoured member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Winners will receive $2,000, which is to be applied to their education at a post-secondary institution here in British Columbia. Applicants must be graduating from grade 12 and demonstrate that they plan to attend a registered college or university in British Columbia within 12 months of graduation. APPLICATION Application Form2015 Jack Farley Youth Sports Achievement Awards Application Form Deadline for applications for the calendar year is June 5th. Application Process Scholarship applications are accepted throughout the course of the year. Any individual or school may complete and submit an application form to the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Please contact us to learn more about the 2015 scholarships: Contact Please get in touch with Barbara Chu barbara.chu@bcsportshalloffame.com for further information.

Preparation has begun for the BCSS AGM on May 9, 2015. The package can be accessed online at the BCSS website www.bcschoolsports.ca, with links to the specific documents below.Please take a close look at the information and have a conversation with those people in your community who are involved with student-athletes. RSVP – mandatory due to space, catering and voting; due April 27 via Survey Monkey (6 questions) Draft weekend schedule Voting procedure Board of Directors nominations form – due March 25 Standing Committee volunteer form – due March 25 Resolutions procedure and form – due March 25 Travel support request form BCSS awards procedure – due March 2  Hotel information: The Friday meetings will be held at the Accent Inn Victoria.  We have made a group booking under the name BC School Sports MOPO. The group code is #71477, so please quote this number when making reservations. We are holding 20 rooms with up to 2 beds at the rate of $79.00 plus tax, per night (includes continental breakfast!). These rooms will be held until May 1, 2015. Following this date, reservations will be based on availability and at our best available rate. To make a reservation with the hotel directly, please call 250-475-7500. Bookings can also be made through Central Reservations at 1-800-663-0298.

BC School Sports wishes to congratulate the 16 scholarship recipients.  Recipients were selected on the basis of their academic success, sport participation, community involvement and leadership.  We wish these 16 students best of luck in their post-secondary endeavours.  Dave Gifford Memorial Awards Dave Gifford was a BCSS Director from 1988-90, and received the BCSS Honour Award in 1992. He was a teacher and Administrator in Vancouver, and died in 1992. In his honour, this scholarship is for one male and one female student who truly excels as a student-athlete. Value: $700 each  Mieke Marie Dumont - South Kamloops Secondary Sports played: volleyball, basketball, soccer Athletic Achievements: Titan Award (excellence award), Dalhousie University Athletic Scholarship, South Kamloops Secondary Female Athlete of the year Academic Achievements: Senior Academic Athlete of the Year, Dalhousie University Academic Entrance Scholarship, Honour Roll, Principal’s List  John Gay - Okanagan Mission Secondary Sports played: cross country, track & field Athletic Achievements: BC High School Track & Field Championships Senior Boys 300m silver medallist (8:43.84), BC High School Track & Field Championships Senior Boys 2000m Steeplechase Silver Medallist (6:02.2) Academic Achievements: Principal’s List, Work Ethic Award, Student of the Year   Zone Scholarships Scholarships will be awarded in each of the seven BCSS Designated Zones. Successful applicants will have outstanding academic and athletic achievements.  This year, we have 14 recipients, seven female and seven male.  Value: $500 each  Kyle MacLean - Fernie Secondary School (Zone A) Sports played: volleyball, skiing Athletic Achievements: 11th Overall Boys Skiing Provincial Championships, Honourable Mention All Star Team Boys Volleyball Provincials Academic Achievements: Dogwood Bilingual Certificate, French Immersion Student    Malcolm Heinrichs - Southern Okanagan Secondary School (Zone B) Sports played: volleyball, basketball, tennis Athletic Achievements: Provincial 2nd Team All-Star AA Basketball Provincials, Sr. Athlete of the Year, Jr. Athlete of the Year, 1st Place Terry Fox Run Academic Achievements: Honour Roll, Passport to Education Stamp  Rylee McKinlay - Princess Margaret Secondary School (Zone B) Sports played: volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer Athletic Achievements: BC Soccer Provincial Champions, Soccer Okanagan Valley Champions, Girls Athlete of the Year, Girls Volleyball Player of the Year Academic Achievements: Runner-Up All Around Student of the Year, Gold Honour Student, Citizenship Award, English Student of the Year    André Dubé - Lakes District Secondary School (Zone C) Sports played: skiing, snowboarding, soccer, mountain biking, rugby Athletic Achievements: 1st Place Snowboarding Boys Gr. 8-12 Individual Provincial Championships, 14th Place Soccer Provincial Championships Academic Achievements: Honour Roll with Distinction, UNBC Academic Scholar Award, DELF, Top Academic Student  Carly Shaw-MacLaren - Duchess Park Secondary (Zone C) Sports played: basketball, soccer, cross country Athletic Achievements: Senior Athlete of the Year, Senior Girls Basketball City All-Star, AA Senior Girls Basketball 1st All-Star, Senior Girls Soccer MVP Academic Achievements: Principal’s List, UNBC Academic Achiever, BC Indoor Soccer League Scholarship, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Award    Jamie Tersago - Smithers Secondary (Zone D) Sports played: wrestling Athletic Achievements: Provincial Gold Medallist - Wrestling, Most Outstanding Female Athlete at Smithers Secondary, 5th at Canada Summer Games- Wrestling Academic Achievements: Principal’s Effort Honour Roll, DELF Internationally Recognized French Level B2  Ryan Wright - Hazelton Secondary (Zone D) Sports played: soccer, volleyball, basketball Athletic Achievements: BCSS Sports Commissioner’s 11 Award for Boys A Soccer Provincials, Senior Male Athlete of the Year, Senior Boys Basketball Zones All-star, 2013 Slurpee Soccer Cup Player of the Game Academic Achievements: ‘A’ Honour Roll, Loran Scholarship Provincial Finalist   Michael Baart - St. Michael’s University School (Zone E) Sports played: soccer, rugby Athletic Achievements: 4th Place Rugby Provincial Champions, Ryan Cup City Champions, Gareth Rees Boot Game Winners and Man of the Match Academic Achievements: UVIC Varsity Sport Scholarship, Dogwood Award Winner, AP Physics B 90%, Honour Roll  Lindsay Cole - Mount Douglas Secondary (Zone E) Sports played: field hockey, soccer, basketball, track & field, cross country Athletic Achievements: Trelawney Shield - Most Outstanding U18 Player, Gwen Little “Junior of the Year” Award, Mount Douglas School Female Athlete of the Year, Sports Excellence Certificate Academic Achievements: Challenge Program for Gifted Students, Honour Roll   Julia Hodanic - Burnaby Mountain Secondary (Zone F) Sports played: cross country, basketball, track & field Athletic Achievements: 2014 Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame Award, HSBC/Telus “Canada One Foundation” Basketball Award Academic Achievements: Burnaby Mountain Secondary Gold Cord Recipient, “AAA” Academic Athlete All-Star Award, Honour Roll with Distinction  Tom Kanwischer - Handsworth Secondary School (Zone F) Sports played: rugby Athletic Achievements: Capilano Rugby Club - Winner ‘Best Back’ Player U20, Provincial Rugby Team U18, Representative Team Vancouver U18 Rugby Team Academic Achievements: Chancellor’s Scholar, Honour Roll with Distinction, Best Senior Brass Soloist at BC Interior Jazz Festival   Christine Howlett - South Delta Secondary School (Zone G) Sports played: volleyball, basketball, track & field Athletic Achievements: Club Volleyball Provincial Champions, School Volleyball Provincial Champions, Club Volleyball Provincial MVP, First Team All-star at School Volleyball Provincials Academic Achievements: Principal’s List, Honour Roll, G-Club  Keesha Khehra - North Surrey Secondary (Zone G) Sports played: basketball, soccer, cross country, field hockey Athletic Achievements: Surrey Firefighters’ Goodwill Basketball Award, North Surrey Girls Field Hockey MVP, North Surrey Grade 12 Aggregate Academic Achievements: Loran Scholarship Provincial Finalist, UBC Chancellor’s Scholar, Principal’s Honour Roll, Top Pre-Calculus 12 Student  Travis Muller - Langley Christian High School (Zone G) Sports played: basketball, volleyball, track & field Athletic Achievements: Gold in Senior Boys High Jump at BCSSAA Track & Field Tournament, Gold in Senior Boys High Jump at the Fraser Valley Relays Track & Field meet, 2nd Team All-Star - Senior Boys AA Fraser Valley Basketball Playoffs Academic Achievements: Completion of Apprenticeship Program     For media inquiries, please contact BCSS at 604-477-1488. Information on next year's scholarships will be available on our website.  Keep checking back to find out more information.

BCSS is proud to announce the launch of STARS – Student Athlete Registration System. The new system should be much faster and help you register your teams more efficiently and accurately. Please click on the “Registration Login” button in the top right-hand corner of our website to get started. Please let BCSS know if you have any questions or concerns and we will help you out as quickly as possible.

Full Schedule: vancouver2014.com  Largest-ever Special Olympics BC provincial team set for first home-province National Games since 1990   With the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games set to return to British Columbia this year for the first time since 1990, the 359 members of Special Olympics BC’s biggest provincial team ever are ready to shine on this significant national stage.   Team BC 2014 is comprised of 275 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 70 coaches, and 14 mission staff from 39 communities around the province. At the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games in Vancouver July 8 to 12, the SOBC athletes will go for gold in 11 sports: 10-pin bowling, 5-pin bowling, aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, and softball.   “The Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games are the first National Games to be held in B.C. since 1990, and our athletes are going to be ready to dominate on home soil,” said Shawn Fevens, Team BC Chef de Mission. “Team BC has a dedicated and talented group of athletes and coaches who have been working hard for three years to reach this level. I know their abilities and their sportsmanship will inspire everyone watching and will show what is so amazing about Special Olympics sport.”   Since qualifying for their spots on Team BC 2014 through their performances at the 2013 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Langley, the provincial team athletes and coaches have been hard at work with the team training program to help them be at their best at the National Games. The athletes have been putting in a lot of time and effort in their home communities both on and off their fields of play, logging hours of training in their sports as well as taking on dry-land training, improving their physical fitness, and stepping up their nutrition.   Team BC athletes and coaches have benefitted from significant support from the world-class Allinger Consulting International team – authors of the Own the Podium program – as well as coaches and trainers from the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, provincial sport organizations, mental performance consultants, and other expert organizations. For the first time, Team BC is also using elite sport science, technology, and tracking tools to help our athletes and coaches be at their very best when it comes time to compete at the 2014 Games venues at the UBC Vancouver campus, the University Golf Club, and The Zone Bowling Centre in Richmond.   Special Olympics competitions operate on a four-year cycle for both summer and winter sports. Athletes compete in regional events and then Provincial Games to advance to National Games, and Special Olympics Canada Games are the qualifiers for Special Olympics World Games. In Vancouver, athletes will be competing for the opportunity to advance to the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles. Through these competitions and training, Special Olympics athletes empower themselves and inspire everyone around them as they set and achieve goals, build pride and confidence with their achievements, and forge valued friendships.   The Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games will see 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and mission staff members from across the country come together to compete in Vancouver, creating an outstanding display of sport and sportsmanship in 11 sports, including three making their debut at the National Games level: basketball, bocce, and golf.     About Special Olympics BC Special Olympics BC is dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to enrich their lives and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences. In 57 communities around the province, we provide year-round training and competitive opportunities in 18 different sports to more than 4,300 athletes of all ages and abilities, thanks to the dedicated efforts of over 3,300 volunteers. For more information, please visit www.specialolympics.bc.ca. Find us on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/specialolympicsbc | @sobcsociety.   Media contact Megan Grittani-Livingston SOBC Manager, Communications T: 604.737.3077 | E: megan@specialolympics.bc.ca

The BCSS AGM Package 2 is now ready for your review.  Please view it in the AGM Resources section.