Emerging Teams Division Champions St. Paul Catholic High School
What WAS that sound?
Nothing other than the steady roar of more than 150 hyped teenagers from high schools around Ontario, GETTING LOUD at the first ever OFSAA Invitational Jim Mason Cup last weekend at Toronto’s Mayfair Lakeshore.
Driven by raucous cheering for 24 teams –with many players brand new to squash– champions were crowned in 3 Divisions over the two-day event.
“I have been coaching for a long time and have never seen so many kids with the fresh enthusiasm of learning squash. The energy (and noise level) in the building was incredible.” - Gary Delavigne, Masters Champion, and Sarnia squash coach
When the dust settled and the noise subsides, Toronto’s Northern Secondary School claimed gold in Division 1 for the second year in a row with a strong cast of Ontario ranked players. Windsor’s Vincent Massey Secondary School took the silver medal, inching past Toronto’s Lawrence Park Collegiate in a round robin tiebreak.
At Division 2, with a mix of ranked and recreational players, Sir Winston Churchill from St. Catharines came away with the gold, followed by Mississauga’s Streetsville Secondary School, grabbing silver in its first appearance at the Jim Mason Cup. St. Francis Catholic Secondary School from St. Catharines snagged the bronze.
First time attendee from Streetsville, student Zavier Ladak said “It was a very well organized event, more schools should experience and open up to squash!”
The competition was fierce in the emerging division—teams of 5 composed entirely of unranked beginners – which featured a whopping 17 entries with squads representing seven OFSAA regions from Windsor to Welland.
Niagara schools (SOSSA) laid down the gauntlet for next year … sweeping gold, silver, and bronze! St. Paul Catholic High School from Niagara Falls captured gold, followed by Sir Winston Churchill -- adding a silver to its gold from Division 2 -- and Notre Dame College School from Welland taking away the bronze.
Adam Voisey, leading the 5th placed Sarnia St. Pat’s team for a second year in the emerging division, was stoked with this year’s turnout.
"It's great to see how the sport is growing at the high school level. We were here last year and there were only a few teams in the emerging division. It was great to see 17 teams this year! We had great competition and lots of fun."
Thanks to all who participated and embraced Jim Mason’s legacy of “fun, fitness and friendship”.
Wondering how you can get involved in the fun for next season? Planning is already under way. If you’re a student, persuade a teacher to get on board now. If you’re a teacher, start chatting with students now. The event will seek OFSAA sanctioning again next year and strives to be bigger and better, so don’t miss out.
For more details on how to get squash started in your school contact: Alison@squashontario.com
