News Detail
Rugby Ball
From 1916-1928, the main School sport was soccer. The founder, Christopher W. Lonsdale, had been a semi-professional soccer player in England, who loved playing and coaching the sport. In 1927, E.D.W. (“Tiny”) Levien joined the Shawnigan teaching staff and brought with him his passion for rugby. He had played for England and was determined to change the main sport at Shawnigan from soccer to rugby. By September 1928, Levien convinced Lonsdale to make this shift. From then until the early 1990s every boy played rugby. In the 1990s, rugby became mandatory for boys Grades 8-10, and in 2008, for Grades 8 and 9 only, allowing the older boys to choose to play rugby, or a different sport. In the spring of 1993, the first girls' rugby team was formed and is still going strong.
School enrolment numbers determine what tier a team may compete in. By this criterion, Shawnigan fits in the AA tier. However, for many years the Shawnigan senior boys welcomed the challenge to play at the highest level, which was AAA for years, and then the AAAA level while it existed.
Shawnigan Rugby has achieved much success over the years. The senior boys have participated in many provincial finals, resulting in numerous provincial championships. They enjoyed a five-year winning streak from 2009-2013 and again in 2015. In 2016 the AAAA tier was started, and Shawnigan won it three of the four years it existed. The junior boys' teams and the girls' teams have also been provincial champions.
Also worthy of noting, and as testimony to their superior skills and passion for the game, many Shawnigan players have gone on to represent Canada at the national level in rugby. Furthermore, the girls’ program has produced World Cup champions and Olympic medalists.
Whether playing 7s or XVs, rugby is one of Shawnigan’s flagship sports. Given the relative size of the School, it is remarkable how successful the program has been over the years – a credit to strong leadership, outstanding coaching, and talented, dedicated athletes.
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.
Shawnigan Rugby has achieved much success over the years. The senior boys have participated in many provincial finals, resulting in numerous provincial championships. They enjoyed a five-year winning streak from 2009-2013 and again in 2015. In 2016 the AAAA tier was started, and Shawnigan won it three of the four years it existed. The junior boys' teams and the girls' teams have also been provincial champions.
Also worthy of noting, and as testimony to their superior skills and passion for the game, many Shawnigan players have gone on to represent Canada at the national level in rugby. Furthermore, the girls’ program has produced World Cup champions and Olympic medalists.
Whether playing 7s or XVs, rugby is one of Shawnigan’s flagship sports. Given the relative size of the School, it is remarkable how successful the program has been over the years – a credit to strong leadership, outstanding coaching, and talented, dedicated athletes.
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.
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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.
