June Sports Roundup: Provincials and More

 

Shawnigan wrapped up the rowing season by sending 17 crews to the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association regatta in St. Catharines, Ontario on May 30-June 1. We qualified seven boats for finals, up from four in 2024. Kathryn Y. and Isabella P. brought home silver in the U19 women’s lightweight double (out of 26 entries); Sam W., Sophie W., Lola M., Paula J. and Laren W. took silver in the novice women’s quad (out of 17 entries); and Justus F., Lola M., Sam T. and Sam P. claimed bronze in the mixed quad (out of 17 entries).

 

The School narrowly missed the podium in two other races as Dylan A. and JD P. placed fourth in the U19 men’s double (out of 30 entries), and Shelby H., Charlotte L., Sam P. and Sophia W. were fourth in the U19 women’s quad (and third among Canadian crews) in the U19 women’s quad (out of 12 entries).

 

The results have our rowers excited about future possibilities.

 

“We are so happy with the results at CSSRAs this year,” Head of Rowing Mrs. Jennifer Parfitt said. “We had some narrow fourth-place finishes just shy of the podium, and great results in the mixed and senior novice quad. We had an outstanding performance in our lightweight women’s double, a challenging event with some fierce competition.

 

“Just as important is the growth we are seeing at our junior program level.  We had huge gains with our junior boys’ performances and our junior girls making both finals.  As coaches we are proud and happy to see this amazing progress. We are excited about our fall prospects, with many head regattas on the horizon, including the return of our own Head of Shawnigan.  Most exciting will be the entries we have put into the world-famous Head of the Charles in Boston. If they accept our entries, we will be up against some of the best crews in the world.”

 

Any parents interested in getting involved with the rowing program should contact Mrs. Parfitt at jparfitt@shawnigan.ca

 

 

The girls’ tennis team found itself in a highly competitive pool at the provincial championships in Victoria on May 22-24. Shawnigan ended up in a three-way tie for first place, but missed the championship bracket on point differential and finished in sixth place.

 

“This is such a big task and achievement for the girls, and we are so proud of them,” said Ms. Andi Conroy, who coached the team alongside Mr. Jarrett Wilke. “It is an achievement because we are such a small catchment area for tennis and these players have all other sports, and tennis is not their priority. This just shows hustle, determination and guts.”

 

 

The girls’ badminton team finished second at the Island championships hosted by Quw’utsun Secondary in Duncan, then advanced to the provincial championships in Richmond, where they placed fourth in their pool, then went 1-3 in elimination play.

                                                                                        

 

The girls’ soccer season was another great success, marked by steady growth, positive energy, and plenty of memorable moments. Every player showed clear development, both in their technical ability and in their understanding of the game. The team dynamic remained strong throughout, with a supportive and enthusiastic spirit that carried them through the term.

Shawnigan had some excellent performances in tournament play, and earned qualification for the Island championships. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, the team was unable to attend. “Our momentum never wavered,” head coach Mr. Blair Sturrock said. “We packed the term with games, training, and capped things off with a fantastic internal tournament involving all our players. It was a fitting end to a rewarding and fun season.”

Mr. Sturrock had some big thank-yous for help behind the scenes: to Philip C., for his support in filming and capturing the games, and to captains Sakurako I. and Marin D., whose leadership, commitment, and positivity helped shape the identity of the team.

 

 

Our golf team hosted the Island championships at Arbutus Ridge on May 21 and finished first. They advanced to the provincial championships at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, where they placed fifth overall. Grade 11 student Tyson L. was Shawnigan’s top individual golfer, also finishing fifth overall, and won the long drive competition. Tyson also won the Goody Cup, the School’s internal golf championship, also played at Arbutus Ridge, sinking a hole-in-one on the fourth hole on his way to shooting 73, five strokes ahead of runner-up and Grade 10 student Matthew S.

 

 

The School sent several athletes to the Island championships in Victoria, with Thabisa M. qualifying for the provincial meet in Langley in shot put and discus.

 

After a strong season with Shawnigan’s senior boys’ basketball team during the winter term, Ryland C. has been offered a red shirt spot at UBC-Okanagan for 2025-26. Ryland is Shawnigan’s first five-year graduate in recent memory to get an opportunity to play basketball at the post-secondary level.