Junior School Ball Hockey’s Game-Changer
It’s a well known fact that ball hockey has been part of Georgian culture for decades. The Senior School’s ball hockey league is a popular afterschool activity and, thanks to some dedicated people, the Junior School ball hockey league is also thriving.
It was Owen Burry ’13, who, before he was elected Junior School Captain, pledged to revive a fledgling club. And with the help of Dean of Middle School Activities, Jennifer Bonetta, the pair managed to resurrect the league. Now, from October to December, the boys are out on the tarmac playing ball hockey every day in a league entirely run by Junior School boys.
“The boys make it all happen – it’s a well-oiled machine now,” said Mme. Bonetta, whose involvement has become less and less over the years as the boys take over the league leadership. “I’m there every day at lunch, but it’s really just to support the league. Over the years, the boys have learned from each other.”
Mme. Bonetta acknowledges the hard work of the Grade 8 boys, in particular, Devin Chapple, who she named League Convenor.
“The league is a well-oiled machine because of Devin – he’s a game-changer,” she said. “Devin has been passionate about ball hockey since Grade 3 and he is always so keen to get involved. I gave him the role of convenor because he’s so inspiring. When he was in Grade 6, he got the Grade 6’s leading the younger teams. They are still doing that today and they take it very seriously.”
From picking the teams and making the schedules to refereeing, photography, and building and maintaining the league website, the boys are truly doing it all.
“It’s really great to see it all running smoothly,” said Devin, who is also a team captain and referee. “We chose our roles in October and we all helped each other and got things done as a team.”
Devin has gained valuable skills as the convenor.
“I learned how to run and overlook something that actually had to happen,” he said.
With Devin moving into the Senior School next year, Mme. Bonetta will be on the hunt for the next “game-changer” to take over the league. As for Devin, he doesn’t know what sports he’ll be playing when he crosses the tarmac, but if given the option, he would “certainly choose to do this again.”
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Royal St. George's College is an independent school for boys located in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school admits boys from Grades 3 through 12. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each of our students to become the best version of himself.