The Significance of OFSAA

And it’s a big deal to make it. 

“You have to win or earn the right to compete at Ontario’s biggest forum,” said Athletics Director Steve Turner. “Standards for making OFSAA in individual sports is very prestigious, whether it be from being a top-three finisher in an individual race, going fast enough to meet a provincial standard or beating all the other teams in CISAA [the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association] in order to win that spot to represent CISAA.” 

Last school year, RSGC had six sports teams advance to OFSAA: cross country, track and field, snowboarding, skiing, swimming and badminton. This year, we’ve already had athletes compete in OFSAA cross country, skiing, swimming and snowboarding. 

Justin Anderson, Class of 2019, swam at OFSAA both last year and this year and knows it’s a big deal. 

“A lot of people want to get there – it shows you’ve accomplished something that not many people have done,” he said. “It’s such an amazing experience too – the environment, the higher level of competition, the energy, the people around you. I love it.” 

Justin, who swims about six times a week, knows how much harder the competition is at OFSAA. 

“I would say it’s at least three to four times harder at OFSAA than at our usual competitions,” said Justin. “It’s definitely more nerve-racking competing there.” 

Mr. Turner says OFSAA helps individuals like Justin, who is going for the second year in a row, get motivated to work harder and train harder. And generally, competing in OFSAA is a once in a lifetime experience for very few athletes. 

“It’s an incredible bonding experience for the team: travelling to an event, staying in a hotel and competing against the best of the best,” said Mr. Turner. “And unlike a tournament, which is also great for bonding, OFSAA is the opportunity to put on display everything that you have worked towards your whole season.”