Enriched Experiences

PSG - Senior School Athletics

WPGA ATHLETICS VALUES

WPGA hosts a dynamic and leading-edge sport environment that provides opportunities for all WPGA students to experience and enjoy involvement in athletics to the extent of their abilities and interests; and for increasing numbers of students to perform consistently at the provincial high school level and possibly beyond.
We aim to shape our student athletes into young people who can be relied upon; who are made with grit, resilience and integrity. We believe that by adhering to these values, and the standards that coaches set to uphold them, students will be learning skills and habits that might be difficult to foster elsewhere.
Commitment
  • If you’re on a team it means you recognize you are part of something great and are expected to do your best to help the team get better. Always show up and give your best effort.
Effort
  • Always give your best effort
  • Try to be better than you were yesterday, in sport, or in other ways that are meaningful to you
  • Confidence comes from preparation - give effort in meaningful ways; Practice with purpose
Time
  • Be on Time
  • Optimize Time together
  • Respect Others’ time
  • Give your best while you’re there
  • Commit to the team’s time
Communication
  • Always communicate as soon as possible if you need to miss something or if you will be late.  PLAN AHEAD
  • Communicate with your teammates in practice and games - we all need to be on the same page
Honesty
  • Be Impeccable with your word - always be truthful ESPECIALLY TO YOURSELF
  • Honesty builds trust which forms relationships
  • Hold yourself accountable – acknowledging when you’ve made a mistake allows yourself to learn from it and improve for next time
  • Mistakes are opportunities for learning
  • Don’t make excuses

List of 6 items.

  • Team Sizes and Tiering

    Tiering is based on school size and is prescribed by BC School Sports based on the number of students in Grades 11 and 12 (as inferred from previous year’s October grade 10 and 11 count).  WPGA fields a large variety of sports teams for an A/AA-sized school.  This table (from BCSS handbook 2025/2026) describes the tiering levels for BC high school sports that were established for the 2026-2027 school year.  The tiers at which WPGA competes can vary from year to year where enrollment is near the cutoff points.  We typically have approximately 40 girls and 40 boys in each grade level.

    View Tiers


     

  • Roster Sizes and Cuts

    Some team sports have roster limits due to facilities limitations, sport-specific restrictions (for example the number of starters: 5, 6, 11, etc.), and the number of student athletes that a coach can reasonably be expected to teach effectively (class size).  Maximum roster sizes for certain sports are defined below.  At the discretion of the Director of Athletics, some teams may reduce rosters below these maximums.
     
    Season

    Sport
    Bantam
    (Grade 8)
    Junior
    (Grade 9-10)
    Varsity
    (Grade 10 -12)
    Fall
    Cross Country
    Currently No Roster Limit
    Soccer (Boys)
    15-18
    15-18
    Swim
    Currently No Roster Limit (see below for exceptions)
    Volleyball (Girls)
    12
    12
    12
    Winter
    Basketball (Boys)
    varies
    12-15
    12-15
    Basketball (Girls)
    No team
    12-15
    12-15
    Alpine Ski and Snowboard
    50
    Climbing
    Currently No Roster Limit
    Spring
    Golf
    5-12
    Badminton
    Tennis
    16
    Track & Field
    Currently No Roster Limit
    Girls Soccer
    16-20
    Ultimate
    20

    Students new to WPGA are asked to contact the Athletic Director should you need further information prior to the beginning of school.


  • Fall Evaluations

    Fall Evaluations - held during the first two weeks of September:

    Cross-Country Team ................. Mr. Sean Dawson ........... sdawson@wpga.ca
    Junior Boys Soccer .................. Mr. Bobby Armstrong.......... barmstrong@wpga.ca    
    Senior Boys Soccer .................. Mr. Steve McCauley ........ smccauley@wpga.ca   
    Swim Team .......................... Mr. Chris Read .............. cread@wpga.ca (see below)
    Gr. 8 Girls Volleyball ................ Mr. John Garinger .......... jgaringer@wpga.ca 
    Junior Girls Volleyball .............. Mr. John Garinger .......... jgaringer@wpga.ca  
    Senior Girls Volleyball .............. Ms. Danielle Harrington..... dharrington@wpga.ca   
     
    Swim Team Selections and Scheduling.  The WPGA swim team is not a learn to swim program and swimmers must be proficient in the four strokes, flip turns and racing starts in order to participate.  To maintain safety and manage risk, the number of swimmers who can train in their PHE blocks is limited (between 12 and 20).  Where members of the group train at consistent speeds, higher numbers are possible.  Students should be aware that coaches may use time standards and stroke evaluations as selection criteria to reduce the class size in early September should safety concerns arise.
     
    Students unable to train in their PHE blocks may still be part of the team as regular practices are held outside of class time at external locations.  The criteria for proficiency in 4 strokes, turns and dives also apply.  In the case of overwhelming demand, selections (and cuts) may be necessary.  If selections are to be made, coaches will undertake a skill evaluation and timed trials.  All evaluations and selections will be concluded by the second week of the season. 

  • Winter Evaluations

    Winter Evaluations - held during the first 2 weeks of November:

    Alpine Ski & Snowboard ............. Ms. Kelly Macintyre ........ kmacintyre@wpga.ca
    Junior Girls Basketball .............. Dr. Alana Shaw........... jgaringer@wpga.ca
    Senior Girls Basketball .............. Ms. Nadia Brenko ........... nbrenko@wpga.ca 
    Gr. 8 Boys Basketball ............... Mr. Jon Buecking ............. jbuecking@wpga.ca                     
    Junior Boys Basketball .............. Mr. Patrick Johnson............ pjohnson@wpga.ca
    Senior Boys Basketball .............. Mr. John Garinger .......... jgaringer@wpga.ca               

  • Spring Evaluations

    Spring Evaluations held last week before Spring Break and first week back:

    Senior Girls Soccer .................. Ms. Kelly Macintyre ........ kmacintyre@wpga.ca
    Badminton…………………………..Mr. Jaden Chong…………jchong@wpga.ca 
    Senior Tennis ........................ Mr. Sam Taylor.............. staylor@wpga.ca 
    Senior Golf ........................... Ms. Rhonda Hubbard ....... rhubbard@wpga.ca 
    Senior Ultimate Team ............... Mr. Sam Barnum ............ sbarnum@wpga.ca
    Senior Track Team......................... Mr. Sean Dawson................ sdawson@wpga.ca
     

  • Playing Up & Playing Time

    • Playing Up. Senior teams may include student athletes from Grade 8 to Grade 12, depending on several factors including physical maturity, sport-specific skill, and a student-athlete’s desire or potential to compete at that level and beyond.  Before a student athlete is permitted to compete on a varsity team, coaches, parents, and the student athlete must agree on the move. Junior varsity student athletes may move up to the varsity team after their season has ended, subject to the above agreement among coaches, parents, and the student athlete(s).

    • Playing Time. At the Bantam and Junior varsity level we strive to develop student athlete’s ability to perform by providing them with sufficient competitive experience. We field our strongest rosters for ISA, Zone, BC Championships, and other competitions that affect provincial rankings.
What coaches are looking for:
Athleticism: Good athletes have an advantage, but are expected to work hard, hustle in drills, learn systems and plays, and have a positive attitude. Athleticism alone does not guarantee a spot on the team.
 
Sport-Specific Skills: Some athletes have better sport-specific skills, which are obviously important. However, this alone is not enough to secure a spot on the team—a team player who hustles has just as much of an advantage. 

Coachable Spirit: Sport requires learning, listening and effort—practices and games are an extension of the classroom. Coaches want players who appreciate and apply constructive feedback, adapt to improve their skills, and learn offensive and defensive strategies. Good student athletes understand that the coach’s role is to encourage and support their team and to help each athlete improve.

Commitment and Character: Coaches want players who are committed to the team, the school and themselves.
 
Committing to the team means playing in an unselfish way. During the season the team is always first. We do not want players who are more concerned with their own point totals, minutes played, times, finishing places, taking credit and personal achievements over their team’s success. Committing to the team also means being on time for practices and games and committing to team goals. Players need to prioritize and organize their schedules so they can meet their commitments.
Coaches understand that some athletes also play for club teams. We support this, but missing school practices and games result in reduced playing time and playing opportunities. This is not a punishment; it just means that players who are more committed to the school team will play more.
 
Committing to the school means recognizing you are part of a larger WPGA community and are students first. Being a good student is part of being a good student athlete, but being a good student doesn't mean getting perfect marks—it means being responsible, completing your work, communicating with teachers, dressing in uniform, etc. Coaches want committed players who demonstrate good character, support their teammates, and help out when needed.
Committing to yourself means continuously developing your skills and caring about your game and your team.
 

List of 3 items.

  • Attendance

    Will vary depending on the team and program. However, if you are unable to meet the standards outlined by the coach, this may affect playing time and team selection.
     
    Conflicting co-curricular programs: Athletes sometimes have conflicting time commitments to other co-curricular school programs. Where such a conflict has a significant impact on group success or function, the following guidelines will be followed:
    • Events where student athletes are in highly interdependent roles take precedence over individual events
    • Qualifying events take precedence over regular league play or performance
    • Performances/competitions take precedence over practices
     
    Conflicting outside commitments.  Conflicts due to commitments to outside, non-school activities fall into the following categories…
    • Known / Predictable conflicts are those such as religious observances, family holidays, or scheduled outside sports events.  These must be communicated to the coach prior to the season.  Where the student athlete has been asked by the coach yet has not communicated these conflicts, it is expected that the student athlete will honour commitment to WPGA athletics.
    • Contingent / Predictable conflicts are those that may arise, and the student knows or should know that they may arise.  Examples include potential family vacations, tryouts for community sport teams, etc. Student athletes must communicate such potential conflicts and their probabilities to the coach prior to the season if seeking permission for absence.
    • Unpredictable conflicts are those for which there has been no prior indication.  Examples would include transportation failure, health issues, etc.

  • Multi-sport athletes

    Student athletes may be involved in more than one sport simultaneously, due to season overlap.  Where such a conflict has a potential impact on team success, the guidelines listed below will be followed. With respect to these guidelines, coaches will strive to maintain a student athlete-centered approach through proactive communication, consultation and cooperation. 
    • The Athletic hierarchy is as follows:
      • Team:  Senior (Varsity) > Junior > Gr. 8
      • Championship: BCSS > VS2S > LMISSAA > GVISAA
      • League:  LMISSAA > GVISAA > ISA
    • Playoffs and tournament qualifiers take precedence over regular season (i.e. student athletes will not miss playoffs in sport A to play regular season in sport B).
    • Regular season takes precedence over pre-season (i.e. student athletes will not miss regular season play in sport A to play pre-season in sport B).
    • Qualifying tournaments take precedence over invitational or regular season (i.e. a student athlete whose team has qualified for a tournament will play with that team rather than playing for another team that is involved in regular season or an invitational tournament).

  • Responsibilities and Code of Conduct for WPGA Student Athletes

    I believe that the true essence of sport is to strive for personal achievement and excellence through full and honest effort.
     
    I am committed to participating in sport with integrity, and to strive to win only by legitimate means.
     
    I pledge to learn, understand and adhere to both the written rules of my sport and the accepted rules of fair play.
     
    I believe that violence and physical intimidation are harmful, and I refuse to use such tactics.
     
    I understand and respect that teachers, coaches, officials, teammates, and opponents, are all integral to sport participation.
     
    It is my responsibility to develop and maintain self-control. I accept officials’ decisions without argument, play with intensity but without hostility, and behave graciously in triumph or defeat.


   
Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

List of 3 items.

West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750