Senior Tigers Update: October 24, 2019

Volleyball Update:

SENIOR VOLLEYBALL WINS WCISVC
The Senior Tigers travelled to Rundle College in Calgary, Alberta this past week for the 48th Western Canadian Independent Schools Championship (WCISVC). Eight teams from across Western Canada take part. This year the Tigers dominated round-robin play going 8-0 and winning 16 sets while losing just one. On Saturday, the playoff round began with YHS defeating Strathcona-Tweedsmuir 2-0 before facing off vs host Rundle in the final. Rundle had a large, loud crowd but the Tigers silenced them in Game 1. Game 2 was intense with Rundle battling back from two deficits to tie the game at 18 then again at 22. However, the more talented and composed Tigers Team took care of business winning 2-0 to claim the WCISVC title and break Rundle’s 4-year championship run. Tigers took home several tournament awards as well including:

  • Best Hitter: Akash, Grade 12
  • Best Passer: Maggie, Grade 12 
  • Best Setter: Chloe, Grade 10
  • Team MVP through round-robin play: Natalie, Grade 12 
  • Tournament Championships MVP: Emily, Grade 12 
Senior Volleyball wins WCISVC

JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL WINS SILVER ISAs
The Junior Tigers travelled to St. Michaels University School in Victoria this past week to defend their ISA Championship title. The tournament included 16 ISA teams from around BC. The Tigers cruised through round-robin play and defeated West Point Grey in the semi-finals. In the finals, YHS faced our rival Crofton House (CHS). YHS defeated CHS in the ISAs last season but CHS got the upper hand on Saturday defeating YHS. The Tigers settle for silver. However, it is another great result for a young team and provides motivation to work hard in the coming days to prepare for playoffs.

Junior Volleyball wins Silver at ISAs

GRADE 8 VOLLEYBALL WINS GOLD AT ISAs
The Grade 8 Tigers travelled to Southpointe Academy in Tsawwassen this past week for the ISA Championships. The Tigers dominated their competition, winning the pool and defeating Crofton House in the final to take the championship.  Our Grade 8 Tigers have now won three consecutive Grade 8 ISA titles. Congrats to the girls and coaches.

Grade 8 Volleyball wins Gold at ISAs

Field Hockey Update:

VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY AT ISAs
The Varsity Field Hockey team competed among some of BCs best field hockey teams and the rain this past weekend at ISAs. The Tigers easily defeated Glenlyon-Norfolk and Brentwood College but were forced to face the clear number one team in BC, Collingwood, in pool play. The Tigers lost to Collingwood which put them in the bronze medal game vs league rival Crofton House. The YHS vs CHS battle was epic, going to double overtime before CHS claims the title. YHS settles for 4th place and this week prepares for our zone championships.

Varsity Field Hockey at ISAs

JUNIOR & SENIOR FIELD HOCKEY AT ISA TOURNAMENT
The Junior and Senior Field Hockey Teams travelled to Shawnigan Lake for an ISA tournament for Junior and second Senior Teams. Both teams fought tough, wet conditions. The Senior Tigers cruised through the weekend undefeated, posting four wins over St. Michaels University School, Shawnigan Lake, and Brentwood College.  Meanwhile, our very young Junior Team faced Collingwood for bronze, losing 4-3. Many YHS Junior aged players play for our YHS Senior Team which makes it a true test of character for our YHS Juniors at this event. However, our philosophy of team structure is best for our local league and for overall player development. So big congratulations go out to our Senior and Junior Tigers.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • October 24-25: Varsity Field Hockey Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships
    Thursday games at Crofton House. Times: 8:00 am and TBD
    Friday games at Eric Hamber. Time: TBD
  • October 24-25: Senior Volleyball at ISA Championships
    Games Friday & Saturday at Crofton House
  • October 24-25: Junior Volleyball at Senior ISA Championships
    Games Friday & Saturday at Crofton House
  • October 29: Swim Team Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships at Watermania

TIGERS FYI: Playing Time & Communication
Parents, please be familiar with our Athletic Department playing time guidelines and communication protocol. As our fall season sports approach playoffs, we begin the most competitive phase of our season. During this most competitive phase, coaches are making decisions that are in the best interests of the entire team. Those decisions may not match the expectations of each player or every parent. This is a reality that everyone involved in team sports must understand.

PLAYING TIME GUIDELINES
All athletes participate on their team in practice, off-court physical and social activities, and in games. Parents often only see games. Playing time in games is often a sensitive issue for everyone involved. Playing time is determined by a student-athlete’s attendance, ability, ‘coachability’, understanding and execution of the team’s offensive and defensive systems, player positions, commitment to team goals, and work ethic as well as the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Below is an overview of what to expect for Senior School athletics:

  • Bantam Teams (Grade 8): The focus is on development to prepare student-athletes, through an appropriate level of competition, for future participation at YHS. Playing time is determined by the coach and is consistent with our philosophy of development.  Coaches almost always get all players into each game, though the amount of time will differ. During the most competitive phase of the season (playoffs/finals), playing time may vary significantly.
  • Junior Teams (Grades 9-10): Our junior teams are to prepare student-athletes, through an appropriate level of competition, for future participation in our program at YHS. Playing time is determined by the coaches and there is no guaranteed playing time for any student in each game at this level. However, consistent with our philosophy of development, coaches will try to get all players into each game, though the amount of time will differ. During the most competitive phase of the season (playoffs/finals), playing time may vary significantly.
  • Senior Teams (Grades 10-12): Playing time is determined by the coaches and there is no guaranteed playing time for any student in each game at this level. However, consistent with our philosophy of development and success, coaches will try to get all players into each game, though the amount of time will differ significantly. During the most competitive phase of the season (playoffs/zones/finals), playing time may vary significantly.

COMMUNICATION
There may be times when things do not go as you or your daughter wish. As teachers and coaches, we care about your daughter, our teams, our program, and our school. 

In the Senior School (Grade 8-12), if you/your daughter are unclear about coaches decisions (i.e. their role on the team, playing time), the player should speak to the Head Coach directly. Please encourage her to communicate. As Athletics Director, I can also help facilitate this communication.

There are some situations that may require a meeting between coach, player, and parent. Direct communication is encouraged as most issues are solved with proper communication protocol below.

  • 1st step: Athlete and Coach
  • 2nd step: Athlete, Parent, and Coach
  • 3rd step: Athlete, Parent, Coach, and Athletic Director
  • Finally, 4th step: Athlete, Parent, Coach, Athletic Director, and Administration

Avoid discussing concerns with a coach immediately before or following a game/practice unless urgent action is required. These are difficult times for both the parent and a coach and meetings at these times does not promote a resolution.

24-HOUR RULE: Everyone must honour the 24-hour rule. After a situation, wait, reflect before communicating. A phone call or meeting is preferable to email. 

David Prissinotti
Senior Athletics Director

Junior Tigers Update: October 24, 2019

VOLLEYBALL
The Grade 7A team participated in the Southridge Storm Invitational tournament this past week. This tournament is a unique opportunity as it is a volleyball tournament and not a Tripleball tournament. The game of game format gave our girls a glimpse of what volleyball looks like in Grade 8. The team played very well, finishing first in their pool, and then advancing to the semi-final, when they lost a very tight match to Crofton House. The team is very much looking forward to the ISEA Tournament on November 4. All the best to our Tigers!

Our Grade 7B participated in their final league match this week. They lost to a tough Stratford Hall team, and have finished fifth in their division. Clearly, the Tigers are playing in the stronger division, having recently beaten the top team in the other division. Next up is the ISEA Tournament on November 4. This tournament will be played at YHS, and the Tigers are very much looking to take advantage of playing on their home court. Good luck Tigers! 

Our Grade 6 team wrapped up their season with the ISEA Playday on October 18. The team travelled to the Harry Jerome Sports Centre for the big event. Our girls won several games, lost a few, and had a great time. It was great to have so many girls participating and we owe a big thank you to our coaches Mrs. Kanavos and Mr. Alguire. 

This week, our Grade 5 team took that short ride over to St. John’s School to play in the ISEA Grade 5 Volleyball Playday on October 22. The girls have improved tremendously and have grasped the concepts associated with playing great volleyball. Thanks to all of the girls who came out and participated, and a BIG THANKS to our coaches Mrs. Zimmer and Ms. Anthony.

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING
The Cross-Country Tigers roared into the ISEA Cross-Country Championships on October 23. The Tigers took to the course with their sights clearly set on defending our title. Down at Jericho Beach, with a gentle breeze and the sun shining each Grade took their turn to rip around the course. Amazingly, each Grade finished in the top 3 overall leading us to a fantastic 2nd place finish. Congratulations to the Cross Country Running team on an amazing season. We are very proud of the girls’ efforts and results. We are also very proud of the fantastic spirit the team displayed each week, and it was evident once again at the ISEA Championships, as our team made a huge effort to cheer on the final runners from each team. Every one of our coaches is a difference-maker and we are very lucky to have such a great coaching staff. Thank you to Mrs. Ling, Ms. Abbott, Ms. Kingerlee, Ms. Pearkes, Ms. Adams, Mrs. Ryerson, Mrs. Waterhouse, and Ms. Sharpe. 

SWIM TEAM UPDATE
The Swim Team sign-up opens Thursday (October 24),  and will close on November 8th. Due to conflicts with the St. George’s School pool, we have adjusted our practice schedule slightly. 

Please see below:
Monday 6:30 – 7:30 am:  Grades 3 – 4
Monday 3:15 – 5:30 pm:  Grades 5 – 7 (will be bussed to SGS)
Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30 am:  Grades 3 – 7

The first practices will be held on November 18.

BASKETBALL UPDATE
Sign-up for Basketball opens Thursday (October 24). Basketball practices will begin following the Remembrance Day holiday. The schedule for each team is below:

Grade 5: Monday/Wednesday 7:20 – 8:20 am
Grade 6: Tuesday/Thursday 7:20 – 8:20 am
Grade 7A: Tuesday 3:15 – 4:45 pm and Friday 7:20 – 8:20 am

*Grade 7B There is not enough student interest to organize a 7B team.