It has been said, many times over, that there are multiple benefits to being involved with sports. Megan McGillis, a Grade 10 student at St Charles College, has uncovered yet another, based on her involvement in sports over the years.

“I’m not much of a socializer – playing sports with friends is a lot more comfortable”, notes the youngest of four kids in the family. Born and raised in the Sudbury area, McGillis attended St Paul the Apostle in Coniston, joining various sports teams, including coed handball, by the time she was in grade five.

By the time she was ready to make the jump to the secondary school ranks, McGillis had immersed herself in just about every sport imaginable – volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field would keep her more than just a little busy.

Following many of her elementary school friends in making the decision to attend St Charles, McGillis has narrowed down her focus just a little, concentrating on learning more about certain specific sports.

And, perhaps a little to her surprise, there has been plenty to learn. Playing on the Junior Girls volleyball team during her grade 9 year as a Cardinal, she would really have her eyes opened.

“I learned a lot more than at elementary, where we really would just rotate. I learned a lot of new plays that I didn’t think of when I played at the elementary level”, concedes the athletic fifteen year old.

Of course, the process of learning in the realm of sports is always made easier when those doing the teaching can relate. This, according to Megan McGillis, is one of the real strength at St Charles College.

“The coaches are really nice, they don’t think they’re all that”, she says. “They are kind of like us – they’re not our age, but they try to see things like us.”

With a few years of high-school still ahead, McGillis looks forward to continuing to learn from her sporting experiences, perhaps even trying out hockey, though she’s never played an organized game before.

Just one more sport that Megan McGillis can tick off the “To Do” list of athletic accomplishments as a member of the Cardinal Pride.
 

Megan McGillis, Volleyball
 

“The coaches are really nice, they don’t think they’re all that... They are kind of like us – they’re not our age, but they try to see things like us.”
 

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