LAST September, on a cool night in a glowing white dome on North Vancouver's Harbourside Waterfront, nine high school students gathered in a close huddle to cheer before kicking off their volleyball season at home.
It has been in similar fashion over the past few years that a small gathering like this has occurred.
For athletics at Lions Gate Christian Academy, the motto for growth has been and continues to be, "If you build it they will come."
It has been a slow process that has not been easy. With a small group of eager students divided in age, it has been a challenge to muster a full squad of any sort to play and an even more difficult challenge to produce a group that is competitive. However, this year seems to be different.
"I think our students are encouraged by the progress that has been happening over the last few years," says Michael Speak, the school's athletic director.
"At one point in time we had students in grades 9 and 10 playing up with our seniors because there were not enough students for them to play at their designated level. This year we have seen a boom in athletics, specifically at the high school level of play."
This year marks the first time Lions Gate Christian Academy has been able to field teams in bantam, junior, and senior divisions. The result: a more balanced approach to athlete development.
"It is great to see students in our thriving elementary school athletics program make the transition to the high school ranks under the same gym roof," says Speak. "Traditionally we have seen a flux of students move on looking for more athletic opportunities. Now we are retaining our numbers as well as attracting new and interested athletes. We are able to continue the development of our athletes over several years, resulting in a cohesive group of students who want to be competitive."
Athletics at Lions Gate Christian Academy is now a growing culture thanks to the pioneers who have stuck with the program and helped to establish it. Now the school is reaping the benefits of the few who were not afraid to get involved and blaze a new trail, a new culture.
