Programs
Connecting with the Community through Grassroots Sports
A new addition to Shawnigan’s 360 (arts and activities) lineup this fall has students engaging with the community to share the joy they get out of sports with local youngsters.
Grassroots Sports is the creation of Mr. Clay Panga, who joined the School this year as Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator and Assistant House Director of Kaye’s, with the goal of engaging the community through youth coaching. The program was initially intended to focus on rugby — prior to coming to Shawnigan, Mr. Panga created the British Columbia Grassroots Rugby Foundation, which uses the sport to spread positive values throughout the province — but it had to expand thanks to unexpected popularity among Shawnigan students, adding an ice hockey component already, with more sports to come.
On Mondays, students learn coaching theory, and on Wednesdays, the rugby group has been travelling to the Kerry Park Recreation Centre in nearby Mill Bay to work with local kids between the ages of five and 12, while the hockey group has been working out of the School’s own Charlie Purdey Arena. Registration and administration are done through Kerry Park Recreation, leaving Shawnigan coaches and students to focus on the kids. Instruction is based on fundamental skills, fundamental movement, and physical literacy.
The fall rugby program, guided directly by Mr. Panga, wrapped up recently with a party featuring pizza, Dairy Queen Dilly Bars and certificates for the 35 local participants. The hockey program, led by U17 Prep head coach Mr. Jeff Compton, got under way a few weeks ago.
“It’s been fun. It’s been inclusive,” Mr. Panga says. “The students really grasped the model. They’ve been good role models for our sessions. They enjoy it, and they are very good with the kids; they’re compassionate, energetic and engaging. They are learning to adapt and adjust.”
Feedback from the local kids and their parents has been positive.
“Because the students are coaching, I get to talk to the parents,” Mr. Panga says. “They are super happy and excited to do it again.”
Mr. Panga’s goals for the third term this year include helping all the students in the Grassroots Sports 360 attain their National Coaching Certification Program Level 1.
More sessions will get under way again in January, with indoor rugby and cricket being offered along with ice hockey. Also in the works is a weekend program offering both team sports (rugby, basketball and field hockey) and individual sports (squash and dance) for local kids.
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 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
