HWDSB Athletics celebrates a successful first half

HAMILTON, Ont. (December 20th, 2016) – At the midpoint of the 2016-17 school year, HWDSB Athletics takes a look back at the highlights and accomplishments of our talented student-athletes and teams.

Participation in Elementary Events
HWDSB continues to see excellent participation numbers in our elementary swim and cross country competitions which are annually the department’s biggest events. Elementary Cross Country was held at Christie Lake Conservation Area and saw approximately 4,500 students participate while junior elementary swim had over 1,350 students compete in November HWDSB Athletics also saw 177 3-pitch teams in September along with 211 volleyball teams compete throughout the fall.

Elementary Swim Meets at McMaster University
In November, HWDSB Athletics ran 10 successful elementary swim meets at McMaster University over the course of five days. Approximately 1,350 students from 59 schools ranging from grades three to six competed in the event which continues to be a highlight of the elementary athletics calendar. The program continues in the Spring at McMaster with the senior elementary swim meets slated from May 1-5.

Elementary swim is one of the longest running programs having operated consistently for 85 years. The program dates back to 1931. This year’s program was moved to McMaster due to the construction around Jimmy Thompson Pool. For individual swim meet results visit here

Featured Athletes of the Week
Eleven student-athletes have been featured so far this year with more expected to be announced in the coming months. Each week the program pays tribute to the standout athletes within the 17 schools who compete in HWIAC play. The program was started late 2015 and continues to be a top feature on www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics with a new athlete profile posted each week. Visit the Featured Athlete of the Week archive here: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics/2016/?texo=172&cat=172

HWIAC Team Champions
It been a banner year for several of our secondary schools with a variety of schools earning city championships and then advancing to represent HWDSB at SOSSA or OFSAA championships. Check out the photo gallery of Fall Champions here.

• Baseball: Westmount (will represent HWDSB at SOSSA in May)
• Basketball (Girls): Div-I Senior – Waterdown (represented HWDSB at OFSAA); Div-II Senior- Westmount SS; DI Junior: Dundas Valley (represented HWDSB at SOSSA); Div-II Junior – Sir John A. Macdonald
• Cross Country: Dundas Valley (Overall and Overall Girls); Westdale (Overall Boys) (Full Results visit: Team / Individual)
• Girls Field Hockey: Sherwood (represented HWDSB at SOSSA along with Saltfleet )
• Football: Div-I Senior – Sir Allan MacNab (represented HWDSB at SOSSA qualifier); Div-II Senior – Orchard Park
• Touch Football: Waterdown (Girls); Saltfleet (Grade Nine Boys)
• Volleyball (Boys): Senior – Guido de Bres; (represented HWIAC at SOSSA); Ancaster Royals (represented HWDSB at SOSSA)
• Tennis: For individual results visit: Senior / Junior
• Grade Nine Soccer: Westdale (Girls); Westdale (Boys)

Elementary Champions
At the elementary level a number of schools earned championship banners this fall in a variety of sports…

• 3-Pitch: Junior Girls: Eastdale (East-A); Fessenden (West-A); Ray Lewis (East-AA); R.A.Riddell (West -AA) Senior Girls: G.L. Armstrong (A Division); Ryerson (A Division); Winona (East-AA) Balaclava (West-AA); R.A. Riddell (Mountain-AA); Junior Boys): Mount Albion (East A); Balaclava (West A); Bellmore (East AA); R.A. Riddell (West AA) ; Senior Boys: Adelaide Hoodless (A Division); Tapleytown (A Division); W.H. Ballard (East – AA); Guy Brown (West – AA), Bellmore (Mountain – AA)
• Cross Country: Division 1: R.A. Riddell (Overall Division-1) ; Spencer Valley (Overall Division-2); Mount Hope (Overall Division-3);: Huntington Park (Overall Division-4) For full team and Individual results visit here
• Volleyball: Senior Girls: Dundas Central (AA-Division); Ryerson (A-Division); Senior Boys: Ancaster Senior (AA-Division); Janet Lee (A-Division); Junior Girls):R.A. Riddell (AA-Division); Rousseau (A-Division); Junior Boys: R.A. Riddell (AA-Division); Ryerson (A-Division)
• Swim Meets: or individual results visit here

First Aid Certification
Throughout last Spring and this Fall HWDSB offered emergency first aid training for teacher coaches in football, field hockey and hockey to comply with the new Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines for high risk sports. Coaches in track & field are slated for training in the new year which will complete the introduction phase of the program.

Coaching Certification
Also as part of the new Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines HWDSB began offering coaching clinics in high risk sports funded by HWDSB. Clinics were offered to coaches needing certification in field hockey, water polo along with swimming. Other clinics in the planning stages will be water polo (girls), hockey (girls) and track & field These clinics will be designed to help educate coaches in areas of safety as well as offer professional development in their selected sport.

What’s Coming Up in 2017

A brief highlight of major athletic events coming up in the new year…

• Elementary Sports (Basketball, Senior Swim Meets, Track & Field)
• Secondary Sports (Basketball, Hockey Volleyball, Soccer, Badminton, Slo-Pitch, Track & Field, Junior Football)
• Tiffany Hills elementary school will open and will compete in their first official game (basketball) – January 2017
• HWDSB Special Olympics 2017 – May/June 2017
• Elementary Coaches Appreciation Banquet – May 2017
• Athlete of the Year Barbeque- June 9, 2017