Welcome to Henry Wise Wood! We offer a variety of programs in each season and look forward to having our new and returning warriors get involved. The following teams start right away in the fall: cross country, football, girls’ soccer, golf and volleyball. Please find the athletic try-out form on our athletics page on our website and bring to the first day of practice. For more updates, check out our Instagram page @wisewoodwarriors or email the Athletic Director, Karen Cheney kacheney@cbe.ab.ca, with any further questions. PLEASE NOTE: Football and Volleyball start before the first day of school. GO WARRIORS!
Teams:
If you have questions about a sport, please email the coaches:
September – Mid November: Fall - Henry Wise Wood High School
Football, Soccer (Female), Volleyball, Cross Country, Swimming
Late November – Mid March: Winter - Henry Wise Wood High School
Wrestling, Basketball, Badminton
Late March – Early June: Spring - Henry Wise Wood High School
Soccer (Male), Field Hockey (Female), Rugby, Track & Field
Program Philosophy
At HWW, athletics are an important part of our vibrant school culture, fostering school spirit, personal growth, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. We encourage students of all abilities and experience levels to get involved, challenge themselves, and represent our school with Warrior pride. Our coaches generously volunteer their time to support student athletes, and their commitment is deeply valued and appreciated. We ask families to join us in recognizing and thanking our coaches throughout the season and to model respectful, collaborative communication should questions or concerns arise. The real value of participation in sports is the journey – not the destination; it is the hours of training, determination and self-discipline. When the competition is done, the reward left behind is the character you build forever. Together, we create positive athletic experiences that reflect the values and culture of HWW. The following statements are the philosophical pillars of Warriors Athletics.
Education is not limited to classrooms. Extra-curricular activities provide many valuable ‘tools’ and ‘lessons’ for student-athletes, including discipline, team cohesion, perseverance, goal setting, time management, and work-ethic.
The greater good of the team comes before the individual. All decisions and actions will be made with the team’s best interest in mind.
Work Harder…Play Smarter…Be Tougher…Together. All student-athletes will live by the Warrior Code that defines a Warrior with pride, respect and excellence. It’s about Family and being a Warrior for Life!
Take Pride in your conduct; Respect yourself and others; and seek Excellence in everything you do.
Academics are the most important aspect of high school athletics. Players will work hard in their studies to garner respectable marks, so they earn the privilege to represent Henry Wise Wood High School. Our Warrior Coaches embrace the concept of a 'student-athlete'. School must come first! To be eligible to participate in the Warriors Athletics program, the following expectations exist:
During tryouts, prospective student athletes must:
Attend every tryout session. Coaches do their best to provide every prospective player with two tryouts.
Tryout and team information will be given in the weeks leading up to the start date of each sport. For fall sports, tryout information will be given on the first day of school. This information is typically spread through in-school posters, in weekly messages on the website, school Instagram and through meetings. Meeting times will be communicated through morning announcements. Students are expected to get an Annual Authorization for Athletic Tryout form (and the Athletic Eligibility – female athletes) signed by their parents and handed in to the coach before they are allowed to try out.
Punctuality: Be on time for the tryout and be changed into appropriate clothing.
Communicate. If the student athlete is absent for illness or essential appointments, the student must email the coaches, and copy their parents, before the tryout session. Coaches have a short window of time to select the team - being absent provides fewer opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and may impact their position or ability to make the team.
Have a positive attitude. A student who demonstrates a growth mindset is often more likely to earn a place on a team than an athlete who relies solely on skill. We value students who are coachable, receptive to constructive feedback, and committed to continuous improvement. Strong team members put the success of the group ahead of individual recognition, consistently demonstrating sportsmanship, leadership, respect, and cooperation both in competition and in practice. At HWW, we believe character, effort, and a willingness to learn are essential qualities of successful student-athletes.
Once a student-athlete makes a team, the following is expected:
- The student athlete is a model citizen demonstrating they support a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment at school and during their free time.
- Social media use must be exemplary - please see above.
- Team fees paid in full - parents are encouraged to speak to Admin about a payment plan, if needed. These fees will vary from team to team. Most team fees will cover the expenses of league play (referees, facility bookings), uniform rentals, photos, equipment, training supplies and substitute coverage costs for teachers. Higher fees are typically indicative of more out-of-town tournaments, team clothing and other team-specific opportunities. Friends of Wise Wood generously subsidizes team fees from year to year.
- Perfect attendance (full attendance, no unexcused lates) is a requirement on game days. If an excused absence is needed (ie. Medical appointment), parents can phone the attendance line before noon.
- Attendance at ALL practices (must email coaches when there is an illness or appointment) - missing practices may result in less playing time.
Most teams are active before and/or after school, 4-5 days per week. It is a heavy but rewarding experience. Generally speaking, there will be 2-4 practices a week, 1-2 games a week, and tournaments on some weekends depending on the sport. Tryout, practice and tournament schedules will be communicated at the beginning of the season, and all game schedules for all sports are posted at Calgary High School Sports at the beginning of each season. Students should expect to travel on their own to off-site league games for most teams but will generally travel as a team on a school bus to out-of-town tournaments.
- Dedication to learning tasks in the classroom: some coaches will ask for weekly feedback from your teachers.
- Suggestion: student athletes are encouraged to consider attending summer camps or Club opportunities to improve their athletic skills. It is challenging to make sports teams in junior and senior high. These can be expensive - students can consider engaging in casual part-time work opportunities supporting neighbors (shoveling snow, raking grass etc.) throughout the year to help offset these expenses for families.
Contact
For athletic inquiries please contact Athletic Director Karen Cheney.