High school students missing sports

Matt Mullins plays rugby, football and basketball. Submitted photo.

By Taylor Renkema

For student athletes like Nic Shunock, the lack of high school sports this school year is like torture.

“We don’t get to do what we love,” he said. “And the teachers who love to coach, they don’t get to do that either.”

Shunock and his friend Matt Mullins are fifth-year students at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville.

Boycotting extra-curricular activities- including sports- is one action teachers are taking in protest of Bill 115.

“There’s a lot [of teachers] that really like coaching, and they seem to want sports back as much as we do, but they can’t say much,” Mullins said.

Shunock plays soccer, hockey and rugby, while Mullins plays football, basketball and rugby.

“It’s brutal without sports,” Shunock said. “Sports were something to do every day after school, and it’s really boring having to go home and just do your homework.”

Shunock said he hasn’t had too much difficulty getting noticed by college recruiters, but that’s only because he played in Grade 12.

Nic Shunock plays soccer, hockey and rugby, but can’t play this year. High school teachers are boycotting extra-curricular activities like sports in protest of Bill 115. Submitted photo.

“I talked to people last year, but it would be a challenge if I hadn’t talked to anyone,” he said. “Some of this year’s Grade 12’s are having trouble.”

Shunock plans on going to McMaster, Queen’s, or Guelph University for arts. While he doesn’t have an athletic scholarship, he still plans on playing sports in university. Mullins plans on taking business, but doesn’t know where yet.

Without sports, Mullins said they have had to find other things to do with their time.

“Keeping a regular workout schedule has been big for me, trying to not get off track and try not to fall behind athletically,” he said.

Shunock found a job — much easier to manage without practice every night.

“I can usually just go to work four to close, and try to make the money I need to go to school,” he said.

He said it’s hardest on the kids.

“The kids that are back hoping to make their dreams come true and get noticed don’t have that chance,” he said. “Plus, if they’re not going on to post-secondary they might never get to play again. This was their last shot.”