Athletic Teams Philosophy

Hillfield Strathallan College offers a comprehensive Athletics Program. The HSC athletic extracurricular program involves over 50 teams playing 15 different sports, comprised of boys and girls as young as under 10 to the Senior School level.

The Athletics program at HSC has three levels of play: recreational, competitive league teams and an elite program for the CAIS (Canadian Association of Independent Schools), which starts at Under 13. For more information about competitive teams’ leagues, visit www.cisaa.ca. CAIS are National tournaments between Independent Schools from across Canada. We also have an opportunity in selected sports to compete for Provincial honours called OFSAA (Ontario Federation Schools Athletic Association). Our school must qualify for the OFSAA level competition as an “A” sized school (population under 500) within the Ontario Public Schools system. Our Tier One Senior School teams qualify for the OFSAA program.

The Try-out Process

All students are eligible to tryout for a team. The try-out dates are posted and communicated to parents within each section of the College. There are usually three to four dates chosen for these try-outs. Due to the number of children trying out for teams, everyone may not make a particular team. There is a sensitive approach to communicating with children who have or have not made the team. Recreation programs are available to those children who do not make a competitive team.

Playing Time on Competitive Teams

Competitive games begin at Grades 3 and 4 within CISAA. The intent for coaches who put an HSC uniform on a student is to play each child within the time limits of a game. Coaches strive to have all students/athletes understand that they have a role within the team concept and that they will commit themselves to this team. We all recognize that each student brings different levels of ability and skills. Starting at the age of Under 13 and higher students/athletes will receive varying degrees of playing time.

National Teams & OFSAA Provincial Focus

Teams representing the College at the elite level are striving to win a National or OFSAA title. While we hope our teams have success, the goal is not a “win at all costs” approach. There may be situations when an athlete receives limited playing time, within the role he/she has been given at the National or OFSAA level. The role will clearly be explained to the student/athlete before these elite championships.

Parent Responsibility

Parents should support and respect the decisions made by the coaches representing the College and the athletes. If parents have a major concern, they should wait 24 hours and then call the coach in charge and request a meeting. Competitive games are emotional and stressful for everyone, especially at a National or Provincial level.

It is important to keep everything in perspective and trust our coaches in charge of these athletes. Our coaches have participated in certification courses in the National Coaching Certification Program and are first and foremost educators.

Costs Associated with National, Provincial Programs and International Programs

Unfortunately we do not have a budget for these programs. These elite Championships are rotated all around Ontario on a yearly basis for OFSAA, and are also rotated throughout Canada for the National program and can include International competitions. Parents will be notified at the beginning of the try-out process if their son/daughter is trying out for a team that has an extra commitment in time and has an added financial commitment.

Commitment to a Team

It is very important that students trying out for teams realize the extra amount of time management that is required to balance their academics and their athletic commitments to a team. A student must look carefully at the schedule provided and be available on all of the dates in his/her league, as well as the play-offs. These games often include Saturdays. We understand that some athletes may be competing on teams outside the College at the same time. These scenarios require excellent communication between all stakeholders.

Playing on One Team Per Term

The independent system was designed to provide an opportunity to experience a competitive team in the Fall term, Winter term, and the Spring term. The academic pressures, as well as the high level of commitment required to be on a school team, requires that each student fulfills this commitment to one team per term. For exceptional cases, an appeal process has been put in place.

A student in the Senior School who wishes to make an appeal to participate in two different activities within a single term must meet with the Head of Senior School.  During this meeting, the student will receive an appeal form that must be completed and signed by a number of individuals (coaches, parents, Athletic Director, and tutorial leader) prior to being returned to the Head of School for consideration.  The appeals process must start well in advance of the season in which the student wishes to be considered for dual participation.  

Games Schedule

As each team is chosen, the athletes will be given a game schedule. Team schedules are also posted on the College’s website and updated daily. Occasionally, last minute changes to the game schedule will occur. The website is the best source to observe these changes.

Practices and Game Days

Varsity sports practices are typically held between 3:45 pm and 4:45 pm., although early morning practices and late practices may occur, especially at the Senior level. The Athletic Director makes every attempt to schedule home and away games on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.  Practice days for Middle School students are on Mondays and Wednesdays.  There are also Friday practices if required.  Practice days for Senior School students may vary depending on which day of the week competitive games are scheduled.  Coaches will provide their athletes with a complete schedule of games at the beginning of the season.  Practice schedules will be provided on a weekly basis.

Transportation

All competitive teams travel by HSC provided buses. If a team returns later than the 5:00 p.m. Late Bus run, it is the responsibility of the athlete to notify his/her parents, that he/she will need to be picked up at the Collage at a predetermined time after 5:00 p.m.

Travel (Teams, Group and Individual)

Teams or other HSC sponsored groups will travel to games or events by school-chartered buses or taxis. 

Members of teams or other HSC sponsored groups may return from games or events by public transport if they:

• receive prior permission of the staff member in charge of the team or group.
  
  
• absolve the College from any responsibility for loss of equipment not personally taken back themselves.

HSC student spectators may drive or be driven by HSC students on condition that:

• parental permission is obtained
• the parent(s) assume(s) complete responsibility

 Sportsmanship

The golden rule in sport is to treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated. Good sportsmanship is mandatory. Failure to be a good ambassador for HSC will result in removal from a team.