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The West Vancouver Hockey Academy was founded in 2015 as a high performance hockey development program, becoming the only accredited Hockey Canada Sports School on Vancouver’s Northshore. The Academy joined the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in 2016, and has since expanded to four male teams playing in Bantam Varsity, Bantam Prep, Elite 15, and Midget Prep divisions. As a national leader in education based hockey, the CSSHL has established itself as the league of choice for youth hockey development.
Developing the next generation of values-based leaders and responsible difference makers in an inspiring environment of sport, leadership, and education excellence.
With conviction and determination.
In everything we do.
Through our attitude and actions.
On ice training, and off ice training will take place predominantly within the athletic facilities of Hollyburn Country Club.
Hollyburn has a 52 year history and was established on Vancouver’s North Shore in 1963. In 2014, Hollyburn completed a $15 million dollar capital upgrade and expansion to the club, and in 2016, Hollyburn arena facilities underwent another $2.5 million dollar capital upgrade. The club is situated on 42 acres overlooking the Burrard Inlet and downtown Vancouver, housing dedicated facilities for 9 sporting activities, including 2 sheets for ice hockey.
The hockey program at Hollyburn has a strong history, and has produced a number of notable alumni players, coaches, and officials throughout the BCHL, WHL, NCAA, AHL, NHL, and International leagues.
Our programs involve off ice training programs developed and designed by professionals at Hollyburn’s High Performance Centre. These professionals have, and continue to work with a stable of professional athletes across multiple sports, including the National Hockey League.
Hollyburn also staffs a number of professional therapists who are available, and on site daily for preventative and reactionary injury care. Every week, students will be involved in 2 strength sessions, 1 conditioning session, 1 alternative training session, and 2 video review sessions.
Alternative training will include, but is not limited to: yoga, pilates, spin, and plyometric programs. Video review sessions include personal review sessions, team review, and team preparation sessions. We will utilize our natural surroundings and incorporate a number of training routines involving the local mountain landscape when possible. This includes training on the Grouse Grind, trail running, and mountain hiking. Total off-ice training time over the course of the season is estimated to be 168 hours. Students will also be encouraged to pursue team activities outside of hockey that are available at Sentinel school, and in the local West Vancouver community. This may include rugby, football, soccer, and/or baseball.
Secondary School is located in West Vancouver, a short 300 metre walking distance to the athletic facilities of Hollyburn Country Club. This provides an ideal partnership between locations. Current enrollment is 1200 students in Grades 8 through 12, with French immersion course selection available
Sentinel consistently ranks as one of the very best schools in British Columbia, and we are proud of this partnership that places an emphasis on strong academic performance. Students will be expected to exceed satisfactory levels of performance in their classes, with above average grade requirements as part of their team commitment.
Courses delivered at Sentinel will take place in the mornings, with afternoons scheduled to include student’s on-ice and off-ice training at Hollyburn. As part of their curriculum design, students have a custom education timetable that contains for-credit courses offered in the afternoon as part of their athletic training. Facilities are available at Hollyburn to assist with student learning, homework, group work, and tutoring sessions.
A key value metric of our program is exposing our student athletes to other elements of life discovery, leadership, accountability, and personal growth. This has been a primary driver behind the founders desire to establish WestVan Warriors | Spartan Sport Group. We strongly believe that a well-rounded individual is a happy individual, and only when an individual is happy and comfortable with themselves can they reach their true potential in sport and in life.
We exist so that our students can be successful in all aspects of their life, and this fundamental belief is shared amongst academy staff, coaches, and our founders. We strive to build leaders, and we believe that by focusing on this aspect it is irrelevant whether a young man becomes a professional athlete, entrepreneur, tradesperson, or artist. Our leadership pyramid is a foundation and cornerstone of responsibility for our students that will aide in their success on and off the ice.
As part of our commitment to personal discovery and growth away from the ice and classroom is our integration with activities and external resources that expand horizons for our students. Our exploration program contains a number of different components that our students will be required to participate in and provide a minimum hourly commitment towards.
Some areas of this program will include community engagement volunteer activities, goal setting, personal management, family connectivity, and financial concepts. Our students will also be exposed to a number of individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds to assist in broadening their life horizons.
