New major at a Sudbury high school focuses on sports industry

Horizon Catholic Secondary School is launching a new Sports Specialist High Skills Major, using a girls' hockey game vs. Sudbury police to promote it.

Horizon Catholic Secondary School is adding a new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) to its program lineup, this time focusing on sports. To generate excitement and awareness among the student body, the school’s girls’ hockey team took to the ice against the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

The new program is designed for students in Grades 11 and 12, offering them a pathway to explore careers in the sports industry through specialized courses, certifications and cooperative education placements.

Chantal Trepanier, a teacher at Horizon, explained to CTV News that the program’s benefits extend beyond the school’s star athletes.

“It’s just to get them now to know exactly what it entails,” she said.

“Like it’s not just for the athletes, but it’s for many students, involved like that, can get involved. So, we’re just going to have to work on that part. But I think it’s going to be a success for sure.”

The event was a strategic move to highlight the opportunities the SHSM can unlock.

Principal Anik Ledo noted that the new designation builds on the school’s existing specialized programs, expanding the future options for students.

“The future is going to be more co-op placements,” she said.

“For those who are already in the mining exploration high skills major and the health and wellness high skills major, but now we offer sports. So, we’re going to be able to offer even more co-op programs.”

Career pathways

For students, the new major aligns perfectly with the school’s culture and their personal aspirations. Madison Ruddy, a student, said the program taps into a widespread interest within the school community.

“A lot of our classmates and a lot of people at our school in general are interested in sports. So, I think that it’s a great opportunity for like a lot of the students,” she said.

The program’s appeal is not limited to those who want to be on the field or in the rink. Lexi Briscoe, captain of the hockey team, sees it as a stepping stone toward a career in the sciences.

“I think there’s going to be lots more people participating in that,” she said.

“I think, yeah, I’m also interested in it because I’m interested in going into like, medicine and science.”

Development and board approval

The new SHSM designation was a year in the making. The school identified a need for the program, citing the prominent role sports play in the daily life of the student body.

Tracey-Lynn Foucault, the superintendent of education for Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, detailed the rigorous approval process required to establish a new SHSM.

“They presented as a report, asking for a new SHSM. They have to have community partners, they have to have a co-op placement and then they see how this will be beneficial to the students,” she said.

“That’s how the board decides or the government, if it’s a good SHSM, a good fit for our community.”

On the ice, the Horizon Aigles secured a 3-2 victory over the Greater Sudbury Police Service team. The players hope the win will help boost the profile of women’s hockey within the school.

While only three students are currently enrolled in the new major, school officials say many more have expressed interest in signing up for the upcoming semester.