Winter 2026

Message from the Upper School Athletics Director

Ms. Carla Di Filippo

Hello Gators,

As the frost begins to melt and we look toward the spring, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible grit and determination shown by our student-athletes this winter. Every time a Gator stepped onto the court, the ice, the pool or the trails, they did so with a level of effort and pride that defines the Havergal spirit.

On the courts, our Badminton Teams were dominant with an impressive three teams (U13, U14 and U20) clinching CISAA gold! Our Volleyball Program also set a high bar for excellence, earning three hard-fought silver medals. Perhaps one of the most emotional highlights of the season took place on the ice. For the first time in four years, our Varsity Hockey Team emerged victorious on Hockey Day, reclaiming the Hewitt Cup in a thrilling performance. The team’s momentum didn’t stop there; they carried that energy all the way to OFSAA, where they secured an impressive 9th place finish (after being ranked 20th) in the province.

Whether you stood on a podium or hit a personal best, we are so incredibly proud of every single athlete. Thank you for representing the green and gold with such heart! We are incredibly proud of the way our athletes embraced challenges, supported one another and continued to grow throughout the season. From early morning practices to high-pressure games, their dedication never wavered.

After the March Break, we celebrated our winter teams during our Athletics Assembly, where we presented the MVP and Coaches Awards for all teams. View the award winners here. Congratulations to all athletes on a fun and exciting winter term of sports! 

I look forward to some sunshine this spring season!

Roll Gators!

Ms. D.

Message from the Junior School Athletic Director

Ms. Anna Bartlett

Through the heart of winter, Junior School students demonstrated grit, determination and commitment as intramurals, squads and teams pushed forward in full force.

Our Volleyball Program soared again, with 13 teams and 89 athletes from Grades 4 to 6 competing this season. Every rally reflected resilience and drive, maintaining the highest participation in the CISAA and reinforcing a culture of perseverance.

In the pool, our swimmers rose to the challenge at the championships. The U12 Swim Team delivered strong performances, achieving personal bests through focus, discipline and hard work.

On the ice, the U12 Hockey Team embraced the spotlight on Hockey Day in front of more than 1,500 spectators. A season highlight was a hard-fought 5 to 5 tie against Royal St. George’s, battling back in the final three minutes — an effort defined by heart and composure.

In the gym, intramurals continue to energize our athletes in Grades 1 to 6. Led by dedicated Grade 6 leaders, these sessions helped build skills, leadership and school spirit.

Looking ahead, momentum continues into spring. Softball interest remains strong, while U12 Ultimate will again partner with Crescent School in a co-ed format. Track and Field athletes are preparing to compete, and Multisport and Basketball/Soccer Programs continue to engage our younger students.

Across every court, field, rink and pool, our athletes show what it means to commit, persevere and grow.

Go Gators!

Ms. Bartlett

A Message from the Student Editor

Catherine T.

Hey Gators! I can’t believe we’re already through the winter season and heading toward the spring season. I want to take a moment and celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our Havergal Gators as well as our Canadian Olympic athletes who participated in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. 

This edition will be covering the amazing accomplishments of our Gators as well as the accomplishments of our fellow Canadian athletes. Even in the dark gloom of tests and assignments, as well as the weather, I find that every winter season, the school spirit comes alive. A huge congratulations to our Varsity Hockey Team and their long-awaited win over Bishop Strachan School for the Hewitt Cup at Hockey Day. I want to give huge props to the Captain, Izzy Tubbe, Assistant Captains, Sophia Liu and Emma Oliver, as well as to our amazing coaches for this incredible game. 

While all of our teams have had such amazing accomplishments, it’s the determination, the perseverance and the joy that our athletes can foster that is the true meaning of sport. Even in the scary moments when the clock is ticking and every single play is important to the success of the team, it’s the sportsmanship of our Gators that shines through every time. 

I would like to dedicate this edition of Gator Zone to all of our incredible writers who were also participants in the Nordic ski trip, the Badminton Team, the Volleyball Team and more. I would like to share my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has worked on this edition. The publication would not have been possible without the tireless effort of Ms. Di Filippo, Ms. Pink, Ms. Bartlett, the Sports Prefects and our talented writers for their contributions.

I am so excited to see what our Gators achieve during the upcoming spring season. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the second edition of Gator Zone 2025-26!

Catherine

Message from the Sports Prefects

Izzy and Emma

The snow might have been falling, but our HC teams were heating up this winter season! Hey Gators, as we wrap up an incredible winter athletic term, we want to recognize the outstanding achievements our school has accomplished over the past few months. The determination our athletes showed in every practice and competition was unmatched, and the energy from our supporters made every game even more memorable.

A huge highlight of this term was reclaiming Hockey Day after three long years. In a hard-fought and intense battle against BSS, our team came out on top with an exciting 4 to 3 victory. The atmosphere was electric and the pride across our community was undeniable. Another meaningful event this season was Hockey for Health, where we hosted a student panel focused on mental health in sport. It was an impactful conversation that highlighted the importance of supporting one another both on and off the ice.

Many teams went above and beyond this season. Congratulations to our swimmers who competed at OFSAA and represented Havergal with incredible effort and pride. Our Middle School Swim Team also delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home CISAA gold. Badminton had an exceptional season, with three out of our four teams winning CISAA finals titles. Our curlers and D1B Hockey Team both earned CISAA bronze medals, showcasing their hard work and resilience throughout the season.

Our D1A Hockey Team made history by advancing to OFSAA in Windsor for the first time. Ranked 20th going into the tournament, they defied expectations by defeating the first-place team, proving their determination and competitive spirit on a huge stage. Our volleyball teams also had an incredibly strong showing this season, bringing home two CISAA silver medals and two bronze medals, highlighting the depth of talent across the program.

Finally, we want to congratulate and thank every athlete who tried out for or participated in a winter sports team. Being part of a Havergal team is truly something special. The friendships, memories and lessons you gain last far beyond the season. Let’s carry this momentum into the spring term. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.

Go Gators!

Your Sports Prefects,

Izzy and Emma

Before the Buzzer: How Our Championship Season Was Built

Eudora Zhang

Hi everyone! My name is Eudora and I’m a member of the U13 D1 Basketball Team. This year, our team won the CAIS Basketball Championships — but our story started long before the final buzzer.

It began early on Friday mornings. While most students were still sleeping, our team was already in the gym, practising offensive transitions and lockdown defence. Those quiet mornings were challenging, but they taught us discipline, focus and how to trust each other under pressure — lessons that became the foundation of our season.

This year’s CAIS tournament was hosted at Havergal, with teams travelling from across Canada to compete. We entered the competition confident and prepared, winning our early games and growing stronger with each one.

The semi-final against BSS was intense and close from start to finish. Every possession mattered, and staying calm made the difference as we secured a 47–42 win. Heading into the final against Collingwood School from British Columbia, we felt both nervous and excited. We started strong with aggressive defence and, in the third quarter, everything clicked. When the final buzzer sounded, we knew all the early mornings had been worth it.

Winning the CAIS championship was unforgettable — especially because it completed an undefeated season. I’m incredibly proud to represent Havergal and grateful for my teammates’ resilience and support. Thank you to our coaches, Ms. Kaba and Coach Patrick, for pushing us every step of the way. This season showed us what can happen when preparation, hard work and belief come together.

Nordic Overnight Trip

Callie Slightham and Ainsley Nichols

Nordic skiing is the perfect way to push yourself while also having fun with your friends outside, but, at Havergal, it is pretty underground. We first tried Nordic last year and had a blast, especially on the overnight trip to Nordic Highlands in Collingwood. This year, wishing we had known about it earlier, we made sure to spread the word about how amazing this team is. For the overnight trip, we went with around 40 people from Grades 9 to 12. We all went up by bus and, upon arrival at the lodge, lessons were offered for beginners, but Nordic skiing is relatively easy to take up, so most of us just enjoyed the free ski time. Although we could have come inside at any time, everyone skied the whole afternoon. There are so many paths to take, suitable for everyone at any level, so it’s impossible to get bored. We developed a great love for the red loop, with its many steep ups and downs. Even though there were some falls, that’s what makes it so fun. These difficult yet rewarding three hours of skiing are followed by a team dinner at a restaurant and a comfortable stay at a local hotel to rest up for another day of skiing! 

Havergal Hockey Reflection from Two Rookies

Margo Phillips and Lucy Falconer

As Grade 9 rookies, being part of the D1 Varsity Havergal Hockey Team has been one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. At the start of the season, we were both a little nervous trying out for a team with older players, but the graduating players made us feel welcome right away. They created a positive, fun environment where everyone felt included and part of something special. Whether it was in the dressing room, on the bus or during practices, they made every moment something we looked forward to and will always remember.

Winning Hockey Day was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of our season. The support from the Havergal community was incredible with friends, teachers and the Junior School all celebrating together, which made the moment even more meaningful. It felt like everything we had worked for as a team came together. The opportunity to showcase our sport in front of so many people we care about is both an honour and a privilege.

Qualifying for OFSAA, the provincial championship, was the icing on the cake. Beyond the games, it was the time spent together — laughing, talking and building friendships — that made this season so special. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive team and school community, and this is something we will never forget. Thank you Havergal hockey for such an unforgettable season! 

2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics: Canadian Spotlight

Isabel Snare

Havergal students, faculty and staff tuned into the 2026 Olympic Games both inside and outside of the ivy walls this winter, cheering on Canadian athletes across a wide range of events.

Canada sent one of its largest teams in history to the Winter Games this year — 205 athletes across 14 sports — and placed 11th in overall medal standings, with a total of 21 medals earned.

Canada’s first gold medal of the Games was won in the dual mogul event by Mikaël Kingsbury, after the country had previously gone several days without earning gold. This win initiated a slew of other gold medal achievements, including in men’s curling, women’s big air and men’s and women’s speed-skating, amounting to five total.

Canada also secured seven silver medals and nine bronze medals, with the most notable of these being the silver medals awarded to the men’s and women’s hockey teams. Both gold medal games ended in dramatic overtime losses to the USA, but nonetheless the talent and sportsmanship displayed by the Canadian players was recognized globally. At Havergal, the women’s historical faceoff was celebrated with a red and white dress down day and the game was projected in classrooms and other spaces across campus.

Ultimately, Canada put up a strong effort this year at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, with several athletes receiving multiple medals. Havergal is proud to be inspired by the athletes who represented our country, especially by the strong and courageous women who serve as inspirations to us all. Special shoutout to Havergal Old Girl/Alum Ali Nullmeyer (Class of 2016), who competed in alpine skiing and finished 16th in the women’s slalom event!

Coach Spotlight: Sam Sui — U16 Badminton Coach

Kyra Daley

Coach Sam Sui started coaching the HC U16 Badminton team during the 2025-26 season. Sam is a recent Crescent School graduate and is currently attending U of T, where he plays badminton. He has played in numerous Badminton Ontario tournaments, most recently earning a silver medal in the Provincial A Championship. He shared that his go-to song before teaching or coaching heavily depends on how he’s feeling. While his music taste ranges from Japanese music to 21 savage, he comes back to one playlist when working out or prepping for matches. When he’s not on the badminton court, his favourite way to be active is playing any racket sport or volleyball, or going to the gym. Something he was looking forward to during the winter season was for his players to develop a genuine interest and passion for the sport of badminton. Furthermore, to enjoy the spirit of improvement and competition while understanding that results are secondary to maintaining a continued interest in the sport. 

While Sam is being a role model for his players, two of his role models are Lin Dan, because he has such an incredible physical ability that Sam strives to obtain. The second is Kevin Cordon, the Olympic 4th place from Tokyo 2020. Cordon is from Guatemala and beat all the dominant Asian countries on the grandes world stage at 34 years old. He comes from a tiny country with no support for badminton and no resources to compete, and his story is really inspirational about how someone can succeed despite the odds being stacked against him. Finally, we asked Sam about what he was enjoying being a coach at HC to which he replied with the incredible school culture, how kind the staff and teachers are and how everyone really tries to help one another improve. We are proud to have Sam here to share in our spirit and we can’t wait to see what he does next.