Athlete of the Week: Christopher Dimas
Chris Dimas, a Grade 12 “lifer” at CDS, is an incredible athlete across multiple sports. The two-time Athlete of the Year award winner made a big decision three years ago that introduced him to a sport he now loves.
The Kleinburg native has played hockey his entire life. He started when he was four and was quickly recognized for his athleticism. Chris played competitively for 11 years; five years of that in AAA ranks. His early hockey career saw him train with Stanley Cup Winners Claude Lemieux and Gary Roberts. Hockey was his focus and he enrolled in the High Performance Phys-Ed program at CDS to help assist this ambition.
In Grade 10, Chris was faced with a dilemma. OHL scouts asked him to embrace a style of hockey he did not want to play and this prompted him to rethink his hockey career. He ultimately decided to stop playing hockey competitively and look to enjoy other sports he had missed out on previously. This decision opened up a whole new world of school sports to Chris, which led him to a new favourite.
“Tryouts were easy and the coaches were very understanding. From there, I fell in love with CDS sport,” Chris remembers. He played soccer and hockey that year, but it was rugby that had now captured his attention. The transition from hockey was easy considering the physicality of both sports, but he also found rugby to be a more all-around workout. Chris picked up rugby quickly, and scored an incredible four tries in his first game.
Chris’ rugby talents are not going unnoticed. His rugby coach and teacher at CDS, Sandy Townsend, also recruited Chris to join a regional team, the Aurora Barbarians. His U18 team won the Ontario Provincials just last year.
Coach Townsend is very complimentary of Chris. “He is one of the most dedicated rugby players I’ve seen in recent years at CDS. He has worked, and is working tirelessly to improve his game. Chris has the size and strength to play at the next level, and if he continues to work on his speed and game sense, he will accomplish his goals.”
His performances for his school and club have not gone unnoticed at a national level either. Chris was invited to train with the head coach of the Team Canada Sevens, Geraint John. The opportunity arose after Coach John asked regional heads to present some of the best young players in Ontario, and Sandy Townsend forwarded Chris’ name. The camp helps to develop rugby skills for those players wanting to play at a professional level someday. During the winter, Chris trained with Coach Townsend and Provincial U18 Coach, Ian McLeod, at Ruckhead Academy in Aurora.
Chris attributes his success to the mental training he received when he was younger. It has helped him focus and made him a well-respected athlete among his peers. This year he was the captain of the Sr. Boys’ Rugby, Soccer and Hockey teams at CDS. The Country Day School has recognized Chris with a number of awards. In Grade 10, he was recognized as the Intermediate Male Athlete of the Year and in Grade 11, he was recognized as the Senior Male Athlete of the Year. Last year, he also received the Most Sportsmanlike Player award for Sr. Boys’ Rugby as well.
Next year, Chris looks forward to playing rugby for Western University. Best of luck, Chris!
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
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
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.
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.
