Athlete of the Week - Sjörland Gibson
Grade 12 student, Sjörland Gibson, is no stranger to sports at The Country Day School. Since joining her first team in Grade 4, she has been actively involved in many of the sports the School has to offer. Last year she made a big sporting decision in her life, one that she hopes will pay off in the future.
Sjörland is a very accomplished soccer player both at CDS and the various club teams she has played on. She was appointed captain of the CDS Senior Girls’ Soccer team and averaged over a goal a game throughout the season and playoffs. The striker is proud of her soccer achievements at CDS which include a 2012 CAIS National Championship when she was in Grade 10.
According to Sjörland, her CDS soccer coaches have played a big role in her development as a player. She credits Mr. Nugent, Ms. Switalski, and in particular, Mr. Milonas for their guidance. “Coach Milonas has always been so supportive and he has a very good sense of the field, which helps me with my positioning on the pitch.”
Her coach this fall, Mr. Geoff Nugent, is very complimentary of Sjörland and her commitment to the team. “Sjörland is an excellent student of the game who always looked to elevate the team through her own example. It was no coincidence that we never lost a game in which Sjörland scored a goal. She also struggled to overcome illness and injury this season, never using these conditions as an excuse to give less than the best effort she could deliver on game day.”
Outside of CDS, Sjörland has played on numerous club teams throughout her young career. She has played for Vaughan Azzuri, Unionville and most recently Aurora, where she won the Ontario Cup in 2012.
Sjörland faced a dilemma in 2013. Knowing how important her final two years of high school would be, she decided she needed to make more time for her academics at the cost of something she had done forever. Her decision to stop playing soccer was hard one to make. “Soccer was a big part of me. I would train at school and then train with my club after school. It would eat up all my time, which meant I had to do my homework in the car between practices.” She hopes the decision will pay off and allow her to play at university next year. “I still enjoy soccer a lot and I think I have what it takes to make a school team next season.”
In addition to soccer, Sjörland also plays volleyball and rugby for CDS. She speaks fondly of both teams, describing them as a close-knit family. Sjörland plans to help repeat CDS rugby history this spring, when the Girls’ team goes for their 11th straight title. “We feel like we have to continue the legacy, there is definitely pressure.”
Throughout her years at CDS, Sjörland has been recognized with a few personal accolades as well. She won the Most Improved Player award for volleyball in Grade 11, and Most Sportsmanlike Player for soccer in Grade 9.
At the moment, she is weighing her options for university next year. We wish her all the best!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
