Nolan Rigazzi and Riley Sabot are cool with it, and wouldn’t mind starting right now.
As it is, the two Cariboo Hill Secondary students can’t wait for the first chance to get to their first class come next September.
That’s when the school will launch a pair of sports academies – for lacrosse and volleyball players – that will provide specific training on the field, court and classroom.
“It’s been such a big part of my life, it’s kind of like a way to escape everything,” Sabot said of volleyball. “It’s something I really enjoy.
“I think (the academy) will be really exciting. It’ll be fun to get more practice in and make it a bigger part of my life.”
Cariboo Hill is hosting an information session next Wednesday (Feb. 21, 6 p.m.) where people can learn more about the new programs.
In the evolution of education, providing unique and specific learning opportunities in varied fields has been a growing trend, and Cariboo Hill is glad to add these two academies to its curriculum, principal Andy Chin said.
“We are hoping that we have a core group of kids in it for multiple years, beginning in Grade 8 all the way to 12,” said Chin. “We can see the development and the growth, to provide additional training to supplement their training with their teams.”
The programs will be credited as electives and are developed by unique partnerships with Simon Fraser University’s field lacrosse program and Volleyball Canada. They will also be open to students beyond Cariboo Hill’s catchment area and from outside of Burnaby.
“Ultimately, I think programs like this first and foremost teach and promote life skills in a team sport, but in terms of the educational pathways and the students’ perspective, it can open up what kind of opportunites exist after high school,” SFU head lacrosse coach Brent Hoskins said. “It can open doors and hopefully provide them with future opportunities as well.”
The lacrosse academy has Rigazzi eager to sign up.
“For me, I’m looking forward to just taking it to enhance my skills,” he said. “My highest goal is probably university or college lacrosse, so if I can enhance my skills that would be really cool.”
Dawna Sales, program coordinator with Volleyball Canada, said the volleyball academy will be modelled after successful versions operating in North Vancouver and Richmond. It will be geared to the spectrum of students, who want to train for a team sport or are elite players.
“Certainly high-performance athletes are recognizing the ability to get the contact and skill development and strength and conditioning in the school day is critical to their long-term success,” Sales said. “It’s also just athletes who really love the sport. Perhaps they play in high school, and perhaps they’re with a club and just want to improve for the next season.”
Unlike the lacrosse academy, students from outside Cariboo Hill’s catchment area will not have to transfer but will attend the Burnaby school for twice-weekly courses.
Chin said having the involvement and support of SFU field lacrosse and Volleyball Canada provides a strong foundation.
It will also benefit those who are considering taking their sport to the collegiate or university route.
“Our partnership with Volleyball Canada is great because they have those connections in the community and across North America,” said Chin. “We also have the advantage of a connection with SFU. Feeding potentially directly to their program, having the access with their coaching staff.”
Those unable to attend next week’s session can find out more by visiting www.cariboohill.burnabyschools.ca, or calling 604-296-6890.
