News Detail
Remembering Ned Larsen
Shawnigan paid tribute to Edward R. “Ned” Larsen – the School’s third Headmaster – with a special service in Chapel on Saturday, followed by the official dedication of the squash centre in his name.
Ned Larsen (Groves’) graduated from Shawnigan in 1943, then returned in 1948 as a math teacher, and eventually served as Headmaster from 1958 to 1967. He was also a gifted athlete, playing rugby and cricket at Shawnigan and earning the Sportsmanship Award, and later earned Blues Awards in squash, badminton and basketball at Oxford. He also represented Canada in both squash and field hockey.
Former Shawnigan teacher and coach Ian Hyde-Lay ’75 (Lake’s) was invited to speak about Larsen, a lifelong friend of his father, Derek Hyde-Lay. The men met in 1948, and the elder Hyde-Lay joined Larsen on the Shawnigan staff that fall. They remained close friends until Larsen passed away in 1983.
“Though I was still only a young boy during Ned’s successful tenure as Shawnigan’s third Headmaster, my memories remain fresh enough,” Ian Hyde-Lay recalled. “Quite simply, a heady mixture of vitality, energy, raw athleticism, and good humour. Allied of course to discipline, work ethic and high standards.”
Also speaking was Sullivan B., a Grade 12 student and the beneficiary of the Ned Larsen Scholarship.
“The Ned Larsen scholarship made it possible for me to be here, and I don't take a single day of it for granted,” he said. “Part of honouring it means making sure one day I can pay forward the immense generosity, so another student gets the same opportunity that I did.”
Ned Larsen’s son, Tom ’72 (Groves’) presented the Jack Larsen Trophy, named for Ned’s brother, who graduated in 1929. Ordinarily awarded later in the year, the trophy, which recognizes outstanding skill and performance in squash, was handed out early this year because of the Larsen family’s presence on campus, and went to Joelle K., who won the U17 girls’ title at the Squash Canada 2025 Canadian Junior Open and placed second in the U19 girls’ division at the 2026 National Championships, despite still being just 15.
“He would have been so proud to have seen this,” Tom Larsen said of the tribute to his father. “He loved this place.”
Joining the Larsen family as guests in the Chapel were Principal Innes van Nostrand and members of the squash team from Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario, where Ned Larsen served as Headmaster after his time at Shawnigan. The Appleby players also competed in an exhibition match against Shawnigan ahead of the Mike Johnson Classic squash tournament.
This year’s edition of the Mike Johnson Classic included the dedication of the E.R. (Ned) Larsen Squash Centre. It drew 61 players in five divisions from across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. The two professional divisions were won by Gigi Yeung ’19 (Renfrew) and Ryan Picken ’17 (Lonsdale’s).
The tournament was the first event to use the squash program’s new donor-funded livestreaming technology which allowed parents and alumni to tune in and watch the matches. “This is a great addition to the squash area and, with the Club Locker live scoring system, gives the school one of the best squash facilities in Canada,” Head Squash Coach Mr. Colin Whitney commented.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 12 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
