BC School Sports (Sport Academy Policy)

FAQ

• What is BC School Sports?

  Public and non-public secondary schools from across the province are members of BC School Sports. The association is self-governed with member schools approving the operating and competitive policies by which school sport is governed. 

  Visit their website to learn more: BC School Sports

• What is an "academy program" at a secondary school?

  An academy program is a curricular or extra-program school offering focused training in a specific sport or activity (e.g. soccer), often integrated with a student's timetable at a secondary school. In the Sooke School District, we offer several academy programs that students both in and outside of catchment may register for. 

  The following District academy programs are currently subject to the eligibility regulations under BC School Sports:

  • Golf

  • Mountain Biking

  • Soccer

• What happens if a student attends the academy in-catchment (i.e., lives in the school's normal catchment area)?

  If the student is living in the catchment of the school offering the academy, then their eligibility to participate in the school's extra-curricular sports teams follows the standard BCSS rules. They are registered at that school as their "home" school (for sports eligibility purposes). 

• What happens if a student attends the academy out-of-catchment (i.e., lives outside the school's catchment but enrols in the academy program)?

  This is where the additional eligibility is impacted. Out of catchment students participating in sport specific academies are ineligible to participate on the school extra-curricular team in the specific sport of the academy. 

  For example, if your child attends Royal Bay Secondary School from outside the catchment area specifically to take part in the Soccer Academy, they would not be eligible to play on the school’s soccer teams.

• Why does BC School Sports impose restrictions on out-of-catchment academy students playing on a school team?

  To ensure fair and equitable competition among Member Schools.

• What should parents check if considering an academy program and hoping for school team participation?

  Before registering, parents are encouraged to:

  • Ask whether the academy is in-catchment or out-of-catchment based on your student’s primary home address.

  • Confirm whether enrolling out-of-catchment in the academy will affect eligibility for participation on the school’s extra-curricular team in the same sport as the academy.

  For further information or clarification, please contact academies@sd62.bc.ca.