Soccer Ball
In the School's early years, the only team sport played was football (soccer). Boys recall that Headmaster C. W. Lonsdale had played centre-half for a semi-professional team in England, The Corinthians. Geoffrey Osler (1918-1922) remembers that Lonsdale “was a terrific soccer player. He used to be very good about helping us to learn the game. He'd take one of us and fiddle around with the ball and let us try to get it away from him. He was very good about that."
In the early days, because the dirt playground at the School was too small and primitive for a match, the boys were allowed to use a field at the Shawnigan Lake Lumber Mill, about 2 km south on the east side of the lake. How did they get there? They ran. There they practiced, and then they ran back to the School. Hamish Mutter (1918-1920) recalled, "Our wind was tops, and because of this we would outlast and outrun every Victoria team. Lonsdale training!" Osler added, "The Old Man [Lonsdale would have been in his mid-30s at the time!] ran with us; he wouldn't make anyone do anything he wouldn't do himself."
The Shawnigan soccer team competed against teams in Duncan and Victoria, and was highly successful, often winning both the Wilson Cup (U-15 boys) and the Duncan Businessmen's Cup (U-16 boys). These trophies are featured in this photo.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
