It’s been challenging at times, but a rewarding first year as the athletic director at Chemainus Secondary School for Kyle Peruniak.
“It’s been a tough year, a lot of learning, a lot of things are brand new,” he said.
“Having been through it once, I feel you can do a much better job the second time.”
The presentation of athletic awards last week brought a reflection of the school’s state of sports representation and accomplishments.
It’s always in flux, depending on busy students able to commit to their studies, jobs and regular practices and games simultaneously to keep certain sports afloat.
Jaymi Wallace was named the Senior Female Athlete of the Year and Alex Loewe the Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
They both demonstrated the necessary qualities of being involved in a number of different sports, displaying good sportsmanship and team leadership as well as being good school citizens.
Track and field star Kaz Bannister won the award for Junior Female Athlete of the Year and Richard Kim took Junior Male Athlete of the Year honours.
The Stan Piper Service Award went to Matt Simpson. He not only participated in school sports as an athlete, but displayed excellent leadership qualities in volunteer activities related to supporting the athletic program through scorekeeping and other duties.
Will Ngenda was cited for Outstanding Effort. He fit the all-around criteria of excellent sportsmanship, leadership and dedication.
Awards were also given out to the Most Sportsmanlike Player, Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player of each school sports team. Those athletes each received medallions.
The boys’ basketball program especially made great strides at the school this season under the direction of Peruniak with the seniors and Graeme Arkell with the juniors. Peruniak will remain in charge of the senior team.
“I’ll definitely have my hands in that,” he said. “Obviously, the goal would be to get more sports teams going and students involved.”
With a young family and being stretched thin, Peruniak will only be able to handle so much of the load without assistance.
“We really need community support in the coaching department to make these programs run,” he indicated.
“I think I might step back in terms of coaching. I think I might coach one sport, maybe two and hope we get people to step up to help us out. In order to have successful sports programs, we need the community to help.”