Ryan Massey is on a mission.
The brand new Howe Sound Secondary vice principal and athletic director wants to make sports a focus again at the school, and he has some lofty goals for the new athletic program.
"I've been asked to help ramp up the athletic program here at Howe Sound," said Massey, who this year returns to Howe Sound after a stint as the Don Ross Secondary School vice-principal.
"Traditionally, in the '70s and '80s, this school was huge for athletics and we want to try and get back to that."
One of the more innovative ideas Massey brings onboard is a brand new athletic leadership course. The course, which Massey teaches, is designed to help school sports team members develop and hone leadership abilities in a classroom setting.
Massey said he'd like to see the skills learned in such courses allow students to step up to lead on teams and in school. By gaining the extra experience and advice in class, Massey hopes they'll have the tools to help set the direction of the school's athletic program.
The fall will see a number of sports begin including boys soccer, cross country running, football and volleyball.
The Sounders football team is coming off an undefeated regular season and Massey sees good things happening this year too.
"The football team did incredibly well last year," he said. "Rob Ryan has done an awesome job as head coach, we have lots in the works for them."
Massey mentioned running back Cory Constantin, who established a number of running records last year, as a player to watch for the Sounders on the gridiron.
According to Massey, the cross-country team has a lot of potential as well. Mo Lawrence, who already has notable achievements in mountain biking, returns after placing fifth in the province last year and Massey expects him to continue to excel.
On the girls' side, he pointed to runner Stephanie Pollock, who comes to Howe Sound from Don Ross this year, as someone to watch.
He also expressed a desire in trying to re-build the boys volleyball program. The school put together a team for the first time in years during the 2009-2010 school year and Massey plans to encourage more players to try the sport.
Massey also wants more intramural activities to keep sports on the minds of all students and will work hard to get the school as many home games as possible so parents as well as the broader community can see the local kids in action.
Football is the first sport on the calendar as the Sounders kick off their schedule with an exhibition game on the Howe Sound Secondary School field against Isfeld School from Comox Friday (Sept. 10) at 3:15 p.m.
