The Gordon F. Kells High School Girls Volleyball Team not only earned fourth place at the SHSAA 3A competition they hosted in November, but they were recently awarded with the SHSAA Sportsmanship Award sponsored by Sask Milk Marketing Board on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
“They have shown skills on the volleyball court and have seen successes at games, tournaments, and playoffs during the season,” SHSAA Assistant Executive Director Dave Sandomirsky explained at a school assembly. “Today they are being recognized for their display of sportsmanship.”
“In competition there’s a winner and a loser. There are awards to celebrate the winners, but how do you react when you lose? How do you react when you win? How do you carry yourself as a team while in competition? We realized years back that aspect of the sport required attention.”
Sandomirksy explained that the blue Sportsmanship banner was first presented in 1996 and is a highly respected honour as it showcases the reflection of the school, the student body, and the community that receives the honour.
At each SHSAA championship the conduct of the players, coaches, and fans is taken into account. They look at how the team interacts with the host, other teams, officials, etc… and while being in a highly competitive situation there remained a focus on respect.
The blue banner is the second one ever to be earned at Gordon F. Kells, with the first one being earned in 2005.
The accolade was something that both Amy Jackson and Trent Johnson were extremely happy to have seen their team receive.
“I’m just so proud of them,” Jackson stated.
Johnson added, “We appreciate all of the support from the staff, the students, and the community over the season and are very proud of the girls’ accomplishments.”
The team included Alexis Thompson, Hailey Barta, Jorja Bendtsen, Taylor Sargent, Gracie Schutz, Kailyn Wilson, Hope Robertson, Katie Wilson, Maddison Riddell, Kate Reiss, and Tori Chapman.
