News from British Columbia
By Donna Choo, British Columbia Provincial Co-ordinatorThe 2007/2008 season of Schoolreach was a year of change in B.C., beginning with a new provincial co-ordinator. Several new schools from the Greater Vancouver and the Okanagan areas have now expanded the B.C. League to a record 53 schools! It’s very encouraging to see so many students involved in the pursuit of knowledge.
In March, the Intermediate tournament was held at Sutherland Secondary in North Vancouver, where 24 schools vied for top spot. Many thanks to Ray Boucher and Jennifer Bermudez for hosting and organizing this event. The intermediate trophy and gold medal went to St. George’s School (Vancouver); silver medal to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary (Vancouver); and bronze medal to Hugh McRoberts Secondary (Richmond). Well done!
The Senior tournament began on April 11th with a 6-game seeding tournament to determine the top 16 teams for the provincial playoffs. Thirty-six schools participated in this event which was held at St. George’s School in Vancouver and hosted by long-time Schoolreach coach, Eric Stewart. Then over several days, the top 16 schools played in the B.C. Reach for the Top Provincial Championships games, which were taped by Infinity Films at the Knowledge Network studios. For the very first time, the provincial champion and gold medal winner was Sir Winston Churchill Secondary; second place went to Burnaby North Secondary; and third place to St. George’s School. The trophy and medals were awarded, and the top two schools will represent B.C. at the Nationals. Congratulations to all the teams and their coaches for making this year an outstanding one!
Sadly, we have to bid farewell to Eric Stewart, who turned over the reins of provincial coordinator last year after 18 years of service to Schoolreach. Also, he is retiring from teaching after many years, with his final 18 years at St. George’s School in Vancouver. Over the years as coordinator and coach, Eric’s enthusiasm for and promotion of the game has expanded the B.C. League from a handful of schools to the number involved today. Eric’s strength as a coach, has taken his St. George’s teams to many victories and they have represented our province at the Nationals with honour. Our heartful thanks to Eric Stewart for his dedication and involvement in Schoolreach and Reach for the Top. You will be missed! We wish you and your family all the very best in the next stages of your journey.
Eric Stewart at the 1997 National Finals, hosted by St. Georges School
Congratulations to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School team members: John Clarke, Alyssa Favreau, Brent Lin, Derek So, and Coach: Donna Choo.
Reach For The Top / Schoolreach