Kelly HunterB次元官网网址檚 vision of what could be will shine again in September when students in Edward Milne Community SchoolB次元官网网址檚 (EMCS) Soccer Academy take to the field.

Although Hunter is retiring after 19 years at the helm of the program she launched, sheB次元官网网址檚 certain the principles she emphasised when she kick-started the program will continue.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 sure the academy will be in good hands moving forward,B次元官网网址� said Hunter, who began her career at EMCS as a teacher on call in 1998. B次元官网网址淚t will be bittersweet retiring, but I am super happy to know the incumbent is equally qualified, and young,B次元官网网址� she added with a laugh.

This year marks her 26th at the school, where she has served as head of the physical health and education department for the past eight years. She earned her masterB次元官网网址檚 degree in Leadership and Administration in 2014 while teaching full-time.

Hunter, with the support of former EMCS principal Ross Leadbetter, first approached the Sooke School DistrictB次元官网网址檚 board of education about starting a soccer academy in 2005.

She has carefully built the program since its inception in 2006, expanding the soccer academy to include students at Dunsmuir Middle School (DMS) and Royal Bay Secondary School (RBSS). The first year included 23 students at EMCS, with 44 taking part this year. That brings the total for all three schools to about 160 students for the year.

B次元官网网址淔or a small school, we have a strong number of girls and boys in all grades participating at EMCS,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淭hey all learn such things as sports psychology, weight training principles, defensive and offensive tactical skills in field sessions, futsal, and learning to work as a team. These are life skills the students can take with them into the world after school.B次元官网网址�

Hunter has continued to slowly build the program, resulting in the soccer academy now being offered at DMS and RBSS.

B次元官网网址淚 think what has made the soccer academy so successful is that we try to have fun developing skills in a safe environment,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淓veryone is accepting of each otherB次元官网网址檚 skill level, they work so hard together, and theyB次元官网网址檙e having fun while doing it. I witness a real bond between them all, like a family.B次元官网网址�

Hunter also had high praise for her B次元官网网址渁mazingB次元官网网址� co-teacher and coach, Amy Hawkings.

B次元官网网址淏eing a teacher is so rewarding,B次元官网网址� Hunter said. B次元官网网址淭his might be clich茅, but while you get to teach youth lifelong skills, a teacher also learns from the students, how to be patient, understanding, compassionate, and how to make positive changes in their lives. A teacher really cares.B次元官网网址�

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Hunter has always stressed the importance of ensuring the students give back to the community by helping local organizations.

B次元官网网址淭he support from the people of Sooke is extraordinary,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd itB次元官网网址檚 great to see how proud the kids are about the contributions they make.B次元官网网址�

Hunter, who played basketball and was on the rowing team at the University of Victoria, has been involved in sports all of her life. She coached basketball, cross country, volleyball and track and field between 2000 and 2019, in addition to her work with the soccer academy.

B次元官网网址淭hey call soccer the beautiful game for a reason,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲atching the sport with the highest level of skills and athleticism on full display is amazing. Seeing how 11 players on a big field can tic-tac-toe the ball around is truly something special.B次元官网网址�

Masato Takao, one of the two coaches Hunter works with, said HunterB次元官网网址檚 flexible approach to coaching works well with the students.

B次元官网网址淭he students are fun while developing skills,B次元官网网址� said Takao, owner/operator of JP Sports Training. B次元官网网址淜ellyB次元官网网址檚 always smiling and thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of mutual respect, which makes it easy to work with her. She will be missed, but knowing Kelly, IB次元官网网址檓 certain sheB次元官网网址檒l still be around.B次元官网网址�

In the meantime, HunterB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to having more time to pursue some of her other passions, notably alpine hiking and golf.

B次元官网网址淩etirement probably wonB次元官网网址檛 sink in until I head off on a cruise with some friends in September,B次元官网网址� she admitted.

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