Shawnigan Spotlight
Sophie M.
A soccer ace since the age of four and a keen field hockey player since the age of six, sports have been an integral part of Sophie’s life for as long as she can remember. Her involvement in and passion for sports have continued and grown since joining the Shawnigan community two years ago in Grade 8.
“I am really enjoying the high performance sporting opportunities that I have, and I am grateful to my advisor, House Director, teachers and coaches who support and encourage me to be the best that I can be,” shares Sophie. “I couldn't be the student-athlete that I am without them.”
As a player for The Vancouver Island Wave in the high-performance BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL), Sophie is on track to take her soccer dreams far. BC Soccer’s High Performance Program, scholarship programs at Canadian or US colleges, professional play with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and even representing the Canadian National Team are all in the cards if her current trajectory of success continues.
Judging by the Wave’s recent triumph as BCSPL League Cup Champions and as winners at the November Nights Elite College Showcase in San Diego, as well as Sophie’s recent silver medal win with the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite in the Pacific North West Showcase, that trajectory remains on course.
Last term also saw her compete as a field hockey player with Shawnigan’s AAA Senior Girls field hockey team, a sport which commands as much of her passion as soccer does. In this sport too, Sophie excels, having taken part in Field Hockey BC’s Train 2 Compete program at the provincial level and, most recently, having been selected to attend a Canadian National ID camp for field hockey in Nov. 2017.
“It was an amazing experience,” she says. “I loved the high performance environment and hope to return again in the future.”
Having recently returned from a visit to the University of San Francisco where she met with the university’s soccer coaches and participated in an ID camp, Sophie is now looking forward to the upcoming soccer season at Shawnigan under the guidance of Head of Soccer Blair Sturrock, a former professional soccer player in the U.K. and with the Victoria Highlanders.
However, all of this success does not come without a lot of hard work and organization. A sports schedule that sees her in Victoria four nights a week and in Vancouver on Sundays means that Sophie has to be on top of her game to effectively manage her time and pursue the balanced life she believes in.
“As much as I love my sports, Shawnigan has also provided me with opportunities to pursue my creative side, and I am really enjoying learning more about myself through photography and art,” she says. “And, despite my busy sport and fine art schedule, my academics continue to be my top priority. I work hard to maintain my average and, while doing so, I’ve learned important time management skills. I understand how to prioritize and to be kind to myself when I need recovery time for my body and mind.”
As a Grade 10 student, with another two exciting years at Shawnigan ahead of her, there’s still much for Sophie to experience, learn and explore.
“I really feel lucky to go to such a wonderful school—a special place where we are challenged, encouraged and are taught skills that will stay with us our entire life,” she says. “I am really excited for the next two years here, and, when I graduate, I hope that I will be remembered for my contributions as an athlete, a scholar and as a friend.”
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.
