​​​​​​Athletic Highlights 2023-2024

Track and Field

​	​
​	​

Marlena Tresnjo (Grade 12) and William Millard (Grade 11) competed in the BC School Sports Multi-Events Championships May 31-June 1 in North Delta.  After two days of grueling competition Marlena Tresnjo came away as the Senior Girls BC Heptathlon Champion, and William Millard finished a very respectable 7th place in the Senior Boys Decathlon.

For perspective of these action shots- Marlena is clearing 1.72 meters in the High Jump and William Millard is going over 4.00 meters in the Pole Vault.  They both won these respective events in the competition and are both excited to head to Nanaimo on Thursday for the BC Track and Field Championships.  It will be Marlena’s last competition as a Royal before she heads to the University of Missouri on a full Track and Field scholarship!

Senior Ultimate

The Senior Ultimate Team are the Champs!  The royals, led by an efficient offence and suffocating defence won the AAA Provincial Tournament in Kamloops May 24-25, 2024.  The team showed incredible heart and resilience in the final game, weathering a strong South Kamloops team to win their first Provincial banner!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Junior Field Hockey Team – Gold

The Handsworth junior girls field hockey team is a force to be reckoned with, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the field. In a remarkable display of their talent, the team emerged victorious against Sutherland in the finals, clinching the championship banner. The junior girls' outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to athletic excellence and the exceptional abilities of the players. As they continue to hone their skills and strive for success, the Handsworth junior girls field hockey team stands as a shining example of dedication, teamwork, and achievement in the world of high school sports.

​​​

Senior Girls Volleyball 2023

By Ava Geddes:

The Senior Girls Volleyball team had an outstanding season, with many significant accomplishments. They started off strong with a fourth-place finish out of 40 teams at the UBC tournament, exhibiting great skill and teamwork throughout.  With an amazing turnout of enthusiastic fans, Seniors Night at Handsworth was another highlight.  The game against Mulgrave was full of intense play and the Royals prevailed in four sets.  Once playoffs began, the Royals were firing on all cylinders and beat Argyle in the semi-finals before facing West Van in the finals. Unfortunately they came up short, losing in three sets, but they were still able to qualify for the Sea to Sky Zone Championships. After fighting their way to the finals against Carson, the team won the Sea to Sky banner in three straight sets, booking their ticket for the BC Provincial Championships on November 30!

​

Junior Girls Volleyball

The Handsworth Junior Girls Volleyball team had a very strong 2023 season, participating in a number of tournaments across the lower mainland, during which they had the opportunity to develop under and grow under a number of coaches, all with unique and different coaching styles. Throughout the season, the Junior team demonstrated determination and leadership, lifting up their teammates and showing exemplary sportsmanship that made their school proud. At the end of the season the Junior girls went on to place second overall on the North Shore. They then went on to participate in Provincials, where they played an aggressive offensive and defensive game against rivals STA. The girls took them to 3 sets and unfortunately only lost the final set by 2 points.  A big congratulations to our 2023 Girls Junior Volleyball Team on a fun and successful season, we wish you the best of luck moving forward next year. Go Royals!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Senior Girls Volleyball​

Congratulations to the Senior Girls Volleyball Team for winning the North Shore Secondary Schools' Athletics Association Banner for the sixth straight season in a row!  The team won the banner in a decisive three straight sets over West Vancouver.  Go Royals!

Junior Girls Field Hockey​

​Congratulations to the Junior Girls Field Hockey Team for winning the North Shore Secondary Schools' Athletics Association Banner for the fifth straight season in a row!​

Bantam Boys Rugby​

​Congratulations to the Bantam (Grade 8) Boys Rugby Team for winning the North Shore Secondary Schools' Athletics Association Banner for the first time since the 1975-1976 season!

​​Athletic Highlights 2019-2020

COACHES

Coach Randy Storey

A man that motivates others to be the best version of themselves, is not just an ordinary person. A man that dedicates his every minute to ensure that others can fulfill their dreams is a hero. Handsworth students and staff would like to congratulate Mr. Storey on an amazing career. We are so grateful to have had such an extraordinary person with us on this journey. Thank you for many great memories and motivating students to be the best version of themselves. You always brought smiles to our faces, and gave us hope. Facing challenges with strength, determination and confidence is what matters, and you have done that. Handsworth is so pleased for you on your well-earned success! 

By Parsa Agha Kazem Shirazi (Sports Leadership)

Coach Graham Walker

There are many influential people in a young person’s life that can help shape the people that they become. Parents, friends, teachers, mentors and coaches can all play a significant part in this role. Handsworth and the Field Hockey Program have had the great privilege of knowing and being taught by one of these extremely influential people.

Graham Walker started coaching the Junior team in 2012 and for the past 6 seasons has been in charge of the very successful Senior Field Hockey Program. Unfortunately, for the future Handsworth athletes to come through the field hockey program, Graham retired from coaching after this past season since his youngest daughter of three is graduating from Handsworth.

Graham was the coach everyone wanted.  His first priority was always to play as a team and have fun no matter what the outcome. Even with this "have fun" attitude, he was competitive and pushed all of his players to be the most elite and hard working team on the field. He perfectly balanced having a serious, strong and winning team without sacrificing our love and passion for the game.

With every team and season came wins and losses and he always said the same thing, winning is great but it is not everything. What was important was that you gave it your all, tried your best, and were a good teammate. He managed to balance different skill levels and personalities and always seemed to bring out the best in people with his never-ending positive attitude. 

Graham dedicated so much time and energy to the program that benefited so many young athletes who came through it. Anyone who had the pleasure of being coached by him will know that he has had an everlasting impact on their sports career as well as their entire lives. While he emphasized being a good team player and athlete, he also taught us sportsmanship and class, which gave us life lessons that extended far beyond the field.

As the Handsworth teams have found unprecedented success over the past 6 years, there has always been a common denominator: Graham. He will go down as having coached some of Handsworth's most successful sports teams, leading them to countless tournament and provincial wins, with the many banners hanging in the gym as a testament to that.

Handsworth will mourn the loss of Graham from the field hockey program but will forever be impacted and thankful for the everlasting legacy that he has left. He has shaped the lives of countless young women and alumni who will go on to make both the field hockey community and Handsworth proud.

“You always bring your passion and excitement to every practice and game. You inspire us to play better and play together”

“I’ve never had a coach so dedicated to making each player feel valued and to maintaining a positive atmosphere”

“It may have just been high school field hockey to some but because of you I will look back and feel so proud of what we accomplished”

 By Michelle Baines

TEAMS

Won the 52nd annual Bedford Road Invitational Tournament (BRIT) in Saskatoon defeating excellent teams from across Western Canada.

Handsworth is proud of our boys character and grit!

Co Female Athlete of the Year 2019-2020

Grace Delmotte

I have known Grace Demotte for several years, since she entered grade 8 in fact (if not earlier).  I have had the pleasure of coaching her for the past three seasons (2017-2019) while she was a member of the Handsworth Senior Girls Field Hockey Team.  It is no coincidence that in all three years, the Handsworth Senior Girls Field Hockey team won the Provincial Championship (as well as many other coveted titles, including Bridgman Cup, the North Shore title and the Vancouver title) in each of those three years.

Grace is a naturally talented multi-sport athlete.  Much to her parents’ delight, a few years ago, she decided to focus her considerable talents on field hockey.  She has developed her skills tremendously over the years and is now, in my view, the top rated high school player in British Columbia (and probably all of Canada).  Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure to watch Grace play with her friends and teammates in probably 100 field hockey matches.  Sometimes she was on “my” (ie the Handsworth) team, at other times, she was playing for Rob Short, or for West Van Premiere or for Team Canada (Junior National).  She is always a delight to watch whether she is making plays with her teammates (which she is very good at doing), going solo through several midfielders and defenders (which she is very capable of doing) or setting up goals or scoring herself on opponents.  Grace loves the sport of field hockey – that is evident.  She loves to play and she loves to play as part of the team.  It is very clear that field hockey is fun for her and that spending time with her teammates is important to her.  She brings an energy and enthusiasm to each early morning practice, to each game and to each social event.  That type of leadership was one of many reasons why Grace was a co-captain of the Handsworth team in 2019 and so instrumental in the Royals undefeated run to the Provincial Championship.

Grace truly is a most serving recipient of the Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award.  I wish her all the best as she heads off to Wake Forest to continue her education and to play NCAA Division 1 Field Hockey.  Congratulations Grace!

Macie Chapman

I am incredibly proud of my teammate and close friend, Macie Chapman, for her outstanding achievement of Athlete of the Year. Macie and I first became friends through Volleyball Academy at the beginning of grade 8. Since then, I have had the pleasure to train and compete on the same volleyball team as her every year of my high school career. Macie is someone I have always looked up to. She is a driven athlete and she achieves any goal that she sets her mind to. As my teammate and friend, she has been close by my side through challenges and setbacks and is always willing to listen to my goals. She has supported and pushed me to overcome adversity and achieve success. I cannot wait to see what Macie has yet to accomplish playing volleyball for MacEwan University next year. Congratulations Mace!

By Maria Smith (Sports Leadership)

“Macie Chapman is a delight to coach. Fast and intense on the pitch, Macie played a number of positions on the Senior Girls Soccer team and played well whether in midfield or forward. Macie is gifted athletically. She has great balance, speed and power. Like Grace, Macie sees the field well and makes good decisions under pressure. In grade 11 Macie scored a number of important goals and made the girls around her better. At the Carihi tournament, we asked for volunteers to go in goal in the championship game. Macie went in in the second half and made some spectacular saves in penalty kicks, which allowed Handsworth to win the tournament. At the provincial championship banquet, her teammates nominated Macie as the team representative in the dance competition, which she then won! Macie contributed to the excellent season the senior girls enjoyed in 2019 despite not having played club soccer for two years. Macie’s speed, athleticism and big smile will be missed.”

By Coach Brian Gibbard

Male Athlete of the Year

Robert Lutman

Congratulations to Robert Lutman for achieving the Senior Male Athlete of the Year 2019-2020. Robert is a 5-year multi-sport athlete in Football, Basketball and Rugby. He is a true leader on and off the court/field who will be missed by his teammates and coaches. Next year he will be attending the University of British Columbia. We wish him all the best in the future!

“It was especially satisfying to see Robert’s growth as a leader over that time where as a senior the will of the team came together around our captain. Robert has been a 1st team all-star, MVP, and captained our team to many tournament championships. The example of being coachable, picking up details of individual and team concepts, and never being late or absent in two years were reasons for our and his success. Robert is a WOW athlete who can thrill a crowd with his spectacular moments in a game. We value highly Robert’s leading example of how to portray Handsworth character on and off the court. The Handsworth Brand has grown because of it.”

By Coach Storey

“Robert is one my favorite players I have ever coached. Not only because he was a great athlete but also because his work ethic was   unbelievable. He set the tone for our practice every day and made all his teammates better as a result. As you know this is what every Coach wants - a leader who pushes himself every practice and makes no excuses. As well, he would never point fingers or shirk from taking responsibility when things went wrong. If he made a mistake, he would be right back in there making a difference in the next play. As well if we needed a big play, he would be the one to make the extra effort to break a tackle. The thing is everyone knew who was getting the ball, we gave it to him anyway, and he went to work. On top of that, he is a great person and someone I am very glad I got to know as a Coach. I also know that every coach who had contact with him would agree that he was one if the best players to come through Handsworth.”

By Coach Darren Benning

Athletic Highlights 2018-2019

TEAMS

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Congratulations!  On March 14, 2019 the Senior Girls Field Hockey Team was awarded the TOP ATHLETIC NORTH SHORE TEAM AWARD!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Congratulations to the Senior Girls Field Hockey Team for their repeat performance as AAA Provincial Champions!  They shutout all competition right through to the final game.  Congratulations!

Junior Girls Volleyball

Congratulations to the Junior Girls Volleyball team for coming up from behind and winning the Vancouver and District Championship Tournament, Thursday, November 15, 2018!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Senior Girls Field Hockey win Bridgman Cup at UVIC for third straight year on Sunday, October 7th, 2018!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Senior Girls Field Hockey win Polar bear cup for third straight year on Sunday, Sept 16th, 2018!

Athletic Highlights 2017-2018

TEAMS

Track and Field

Congratulations on winning the HSSSAA title as the AAA Track and Field Champions at Swangard Stadium on May 15, 2018.  This has not happened since the early 1980s!  Way to go Royals!  Good luck at Provincials!

Senior Boys Basketball

Congratulations to the Senior Boys Basketball Team who are the 2018 AAAA Howe Sound Champions!  They have qualified for the  2018 BC High School Provincial Tournament at the Langley Events Centre, March 7 to 10.  2018 BC High School AAAA Boys Basketball Tournament

Junior Boys Basketball

Congratulations to the Handsworth Jr Boys Basketball team for winning the Vancouver & Districts Championship on Friday, February 16th over #1 seeded Burnaby South 66-60.

Senior Girls Basketball

Handsworth Senior Girls finished their season playing in the Crehan Cup.  It was a great season thanks to a hard-working and supportive team (and their families) and an awesome coach (Kevin) & manager (Jodi)!

KAYLA OXLAND has been voted by the BC University Coaching quintet as Varsity Letters' 2017 B.C. High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Read more about Kayla Oxland 2017 B.C. High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year

NO Regrets Basketball Tournament - School Spirit Day, Thursday, December 7, 2017

Senior Girls Volleyball

Senior Girls Volleyball

On their Silver Medal Finish at the AAAA Provincial Championships!!!  Winning Quarter and Semi-Final games against the most competitive field of teams in many years, the team went all out to secure their sport in the Championship game.  It was an impressive season overall, with North Shore and Vancouver & District Gold wins, and Silver at the Provincials.  Congratulations to every member for your achievements this season.  Well Done Royals!

 

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Congratulations to our fabulous Senior Girls Field Hockey team who went undefeated to win the PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP.  Congratulations ladies you are truly the class of the field hockey work and show such grace under pressure.  They would like to thank all the students who came to both the Pep Rally and to cheer them on in the Banner game this season.

Senior Girls Volleyball

Congratulations to our Senior Girls Volleyball team on their success securing the Championship position at this past weekend's Vancouver and District Finals!  Digging deeply - all member of the team contributed!  Good luck at Provincials - GO ROYALS!

Senior Girls Volleyball

Congratulations to our Senior Girls Volleyball team on winning the North Shore Championship against Carson Graham on Wednesday, November 8th.  With lots of action on both sides of the net - both teams are to be commended!  Way to go ROYALS!

Senior Girls Field Hockey

Handsworth Senior Girls Field Hockey go undefeated in their second straight win at prestigious Bridgman Cup Tournament, October 6 in Victoria.

Senior Girls Volleyball

The Senior Girls Volleyball Team bring home 1st place at the UBCO Tournament October 21, 2017.  Placing at the top of 40 teams!

Congratulations to our Senior Girls Volleyball Team!  For their success at the UBC Tournament September 23.  Winning 7 of 8 matches straight and a spot in the Gold Medal round, the team is to be commended!  GO ROYALS GO!

 

Track and Field

Impressive results from Charlie Dannatt over the weekend at the BC Track Championships. He won the 1500m seniors race and smashed a 42 year old record in the 3000m! He has created quite a buzz in the media, see links below. 

http://varsityletters.ca/check-list-charlie-does-it-all-royals-dannatt-takes-double-gold-sets-new-3-k-mark/

http://runningmagazine.ca/b-c-high-school-track-championships-3000m/

   

The Senior Boys Basketball Team beat Sentinel on Feb 23 71-47 in a sudden death final for the North Shore Howe Sound AAAA banner. They will now head off to provincials March 8th - 11th. See link below. Great job boys, and awesome HSS school spirit all week!  League MVP's were Handsworth's  Ben Grant & Sentinel's  Andrew Davis. Handsworth players selected for the 2nd All Star Team were Blake McLean & Amir Hajisafar 1st All Star Team were Ben Grant & Stanley Choo.

Howe Sound MVP was Amir Hajisafar  Team All Stars were Ben Grant & Blake McLean. Congratulations to all & Good luck in Provincials!

 

Photos courtesy of Blair Shier