Athletic Opportunities
There are a variety of athletic opportunities including both individual and team sports, at various levels of play, for STS students. Our administration and coaches are dedicated to offering a safe and healthy athletic experience while following direction from Alberta Health Services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physical Education at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School begins in the primary years with students participating in daily physical education classes from K-3 and four times a week for students in Grade 4-6. The Physical Education program strives to create opportunities for students to develop a life-long love for physical activity.
STS offers a variety of co-curricular activities to engage students and foster character development and leadership potential. These programs are optional and take place during lunch hours and/or after school.
Elementary Cross Country Running Team (Grades 4-6)
Students interested in participating on their first athletic team at STS can join the Elementary Cross Country Running Team. Practices take place at lunch recess with the meets taking place after school against other schools from the Foothills area.
Family Fun Nights (Grades K-4)
Family Fun Night is open to all interested students in Grades K-4. Students and their parents are invited once a term to participate in fun games and activities in the gyms led by the Physical Education team.
Sports Club (Grades 4-6)
Students in Grades 4-6 are invited to join the Elementary Sports Club to build on skills and games learned in Physical Education classes. These clubs take place throughout the year on Wednesdays after school from 3:45pm-4:45pm. Group games take place both inside and outside and include favourites such as squirrel tag, dodgeball, smog’s jewel’s and kickball.
Cross Country Ski Club (Grades 4-6)
STS is situated on a beautiful country campus with trails perfect to enjoy in every season. Students in grades 4-6 are invited to join the Elementary Cross Country Ski Club that takes place after school from 3:45-4:45pm on select Mondays in the winter months.
Fall Sports:
Cross Country (Grades 7-12) – STS has a long tradition of success in cross country running. STS has proudly won the Provincial Championship 11 times with the last seven years being consecutive championships. The program begins in Grade 7 and continues throughout Senior School. It is offered as both a competitive sport and as a recreational activity. The goal of the program is to develop a lifetime commitment to exercise and fitness. Students begin training in September and continue through to late October. Our School continues to host the Divisional Championship Meet each September to showcase our vast trail system. The culmination of the Senior School season is an optional trip to a Canadian or U.S. destination when students compete as teams in a marathon.
Volleyball (Grades 7-12) – As a perennial power house in the sport of volleyball, STS offers ten teams that compete in the fall term. In the Middle School, all six teams offered compete in the Foothills Division with the opportunity to compete in the South Central Zone Tournament should they qualify. In Senior School, we offer a boys and girls Junior Varsity team as well as a boys and girls Varsity team. All four teams play at the 2A level in the South Central Zone. From there, the varsity teams have the opportunity to play at the provincial level. The Senior Varsity girls also attend the Western Canadian Independent School Championships each year at various schools.
Golf (Grades 9-12) – STS offers both competitive and recreational golf opportunities. A co-curricular program in the Middle School introduces athletes to golf etiquette and begins skill development. In the Senior School, golf is integrated into the physical education program and is also offered as a competitive sport. Competing out of the Sirocco Golf Course, the STS golf team has 14 Zone banners and 11 ASAA Provincial titles in the past 17 years. Top coaching and professional instruction enable golfers to perform at their best while being mindful of their roles as ambassadors to the game. Many players have taken their game to the next level and have gone on to play collegiate golf in the United States and Canada.
Winter Sports:
Basketball (Grades 7-12) – STS has ten basketball teams that compete in the fall and winter terms. In the Middle School, there are six teams which compete in the Foothills Division; the Grade 9 teams with hopes of qualifying for the South Central Zone Competition. The Grade 7 Boys team travels to compete in the CAIS (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools) Under 13 tournament held each year around the country. At the Senior School level, STS offers four teams all of which compete at the 2A level in the South Central Zone and eventually the provincial competitions. Several of the teams host tournaments on a yearly basis.
Badminton (Grades 7-12) – Agility, grace, speed and precision are words that describe the STS badminton program. It is offered in the spring for the Middle and Senior School. In the Middle School, there are three teams that are divided by grade. In the Senior School, one team is offered. All teams compete in the Foothills Division and continue on to the South Central Zones and Provincials if they qualify.
Spring Sports:
Track and Field (Grades 7-12) – Track and field sports are celebrated at STS as a measure of raw athleticism. Students compete at the Middle School and Senior School levels in the Foothills Division and South Central Zone Meets. If Senior students are successful at both, they are then eligible to compete at the provincial level. The season of competition commences in early April and ends in June. Track and Field allows for mass participation with approximately 80 athletes able to compete each year at the Senior School level.
Field Hockey (Grades 9-12) – Field Hockey is popular among the girls in the spring term. Fitness and co-operation is required from all participants as they work to develop their individual and team skills over the course of the season. Although no official league exists for the teams to compete in, coaches always manage to find good competition at various tournaments in the surrounding area.
Rugby (Grades 9-12) – Our Rugby program is a highly respected program in the province of Alberta. This physically demanding sport is played during the spring term. Our program boasts high quality coaching from both STS staff and the community. The program has built a reputation for excellence that is grounded on the principles of inclusion, hard work and discipline. It is available to boys in Grades 9 through 12 at both a Junior Varsity and Senior Varsity level. Both teams compete within the AASA at the Tier III level. The rugby seasons kick off shortly after the return from spring break.
Read about the ASAA (Alberta Schools' Athletic Association)