Athletics Program

The Athletics program at Branksome Hall provides an engaging athletic experience for students through a variety of competitive and developmental teams. The goal of the program is to develop physical fitness, sport-specific skills, athletic principle, teamwork, commitment, resilience and an appreciation for lifelong, active living.

The teams offered each term can be found on our website.

Branksome Hall is a member of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA). Membership schools and age classifications can be found on our website.

Eligibility

Junior School and Senior & Middle School athletes are expected to play in their age group. However, Senior School athletes may “play up” an age division based on ability, with permission from the Athletics Department. No athlete is eligible to play below their age category. In order to participate on a team, athletes must also have an academic and attendance record that is satisfactory to the coach, faculty and administration.

Rowing Program

The Rowing program offers a unique opportunity for athletes in Grades 9–12 to learn a sport that offers excellent fitness development and opportunities for competition. Dryland training begins in the fall and continues throughout the winter months, culminating in a week-long, on-the-water training camp in March. There will be an information session for all interested students and their families in late September. For more information, please contact our Rowing Coach, Scott Fleming.

Transfer Eligibility

Any student new to Branksome Hall in Grades 10, 11 or 12 is required to complete a transfer eligibility form that will be submitted to the CISAA Transfer Committee prior to the student competing on a school team.

Team Selection, Practices and Schedules

Tryout times and locations for all teams will be posted on the Athletics landing page of the Portal. Tryouts for all teams take place at the beginning of each season:

Fall: First two weeks of September for Senior & Middle School athletes, second and third weeks of September for Junior School athletes.

Winter: Second and third week of November for Senior & Middle School athletes, first two weeks of December for Junior School athletes.

Spring: Last week of March and the first week of April for Junior and Senior & Middle School athletes.

Athletes are encouraged to try out for any number of teams and every effort will be made by the Athletics Department to ensure they have the opportunity to play in their area of interest. Teams are competitive, however, and team selection is based on commitment, ability and potential for skill development. Team selection is made by the coaches. Athletes may only play on one team per season.

Athletes are provided with a practice and game schedule in advance of the season to help them plan their academic and co-curricular schedules. Practice, game and meet schedules will be posted on the Portal. Please note that schedule changes may occur, due to unforeseen circumstances. Updates will be posted to the Portal.

Expectations of Athletes and Parents/Guardians

Athletes are expected to be at all practices, games and championships, and to honour their commitment to the team and coach. Any absence must be communicated to the coach in advance. All athletes must abide by the CISAA Code of Sportsmanship that is included in the Branksome Hall Code of Conduct. Behaviour unbecoming of an athlete representing Branksome Hall will not be tolerated and could result in suspension from the team.

If a class is missed because of the Athletics schedule, it is the athlete’s responsibility to notify their teacher in advance to make alternative arrangements to make up for missed work.

Athletes must maintain their academic standing; otherwise, their participation will be suspended until their academic performance and attitude is deemed to be satisfactory by subject teachers and administration.

Athletes and their families must sign the Commitment Letter prior to participating on a team or in any game or meet. Once an athlete is selected for a team, the Commitment Form will be posted on both the athlete’s and their parents’ Portal page. In the Senior & Middle School, both the athlete and one parent/guardian must sign (electronically) the form in order for it to be complete. In the Junior School, only one parent/guardian must sign (electronically) the form in order for it to be complete.

We are grateful to parents and guardians who express an interest in coaching at Branksome Hall. It should be noted that the school’s policy does not permit for parents or guardians to act as volunteer coaches for any school teams. This avoids any conflicts of interest that may arise.

Uniforms and Equipment

Athletes must wear appropriate athletic attire for all practices and team uniforms for games. All athletes must also adhere to the uniform requirements outlined by their coaches.

For the majority of school teams, athletes borrow a team uniform from the Athletics Department, which must be returned by the athlete at the end of the season. Uniforms are issued once the team has been finalized. Athletes are responsible for their uniform for the duration of the season. The cost of damage or loss will be charged to the student’s account.

Some sports require that athletes buy next-to-skin clothing such as socks and bathing suits. These items are available for purchase. Equipment specific to a sport, such as ice hockey, alpine skiing and tennis, is the responsibility of the athlete. Coaches will inform athletes if they are required to wear protective items (such as mouthguards) for certain sports.

Every athlete must have their own water bottle clearly marked with their name.

Transportation

Transportation to games at schools within the GTA is provided by taxi or school bus. Athletes in Grades 7–12 are expected to make their own way home from local away games (Havergal College, The Bishop Strachan School, St. Clement’s School, The York School, De La Salle College, Toronto French School and Greenwood College School), unless otherwise specified. Transportation to out-of-town games is by coach bus. Transportation is provided to and from all away games for athletes in Grades 4–6.

Athletes are not permitted to drive their own vehicles to games. In special circumstances, a Senior student with a driver's license may wish to drive to an off-campus venue because they live close by and do not wish to return to the school. In these cases, a request can be made to the Director, Athletics with proof of parent/guardian permission. Students may only drive themselves, not teammates (even with parent permission). The Director of Athletics will consider the request and inform the athlete if they have permission to drive to the event.

Fees

Athletes may be charged an Athletics transportation fee of $50–$150 per team. Athletes will be required to pay an additional fee for hockey, alpine skiing, squash, golf and rowing due to the significant cost of practice facilities, extensive transportation and entry fees, and, in the case of rowing, a week-long training camp in addition to numerous regattas.

In the event of an out-of-town tournament or championship match (i.e. OFSAA), an additional fee may be required to cover hotel, transportation and food costs.

Visit here to learn more about Athletics at Branksome Hall.