For the first time in decades, the Vancouver Technical Secondary senior boys soccer team qualified for AAA provincials. Head coach and Van Tech alumna, Samantha Smith led the team to a stunning finish at second in the league and third in playoffs. Despite winning titles in 1948, 1955, and 1956, the closest the Talisman have gotten since those historic wins, was a second-place finish back in 1981, where they lost 2-1 to rival school Killarney Secondary.
At the age of 22, Smith is one of the youngest coaches in B.C. school sports and perhaps one of the busiest. She also serves as the head coach of Van Tech's senior girls basketball and senior girls soccer teams. What makes this remarkable is that coaching positions in the District are all volunteer positions. Smith spends countless hours mentoring and coaching players in all three of these senior teams. On top of all that, she works as a supervision aid at Strathcona Elementary.
Van Tech Athletic Director Ken Li says that Smith understands and recognizes the importance of the holistic student-athlete. "She holds them accountable there are consequences if they don't perform in school," Li explains. As a coach, she reached out to classroom teachers to ensure her players weren't falling behind in their studies. She was able to develop a reciprocal respectful relationship with a group of grade 10 to 12 boys no easy feat. "I believe she is one of the very few female coaches of a senior boys team in the entire province and was able to guide the team to some excellent results for our school," adds Li.
One of her senior soccer players described Smith going above and beyond when he was injured following a tough tackle from an opponent. She was upset at the play but remained calm in caring for him and while speaking to the opposing coach and referee. "I'm not at all surprised from this student's account of the care and responsibility she provided as it parallels every interaction I've had with her and everything I've heard about how she goes about coaching," says Li. "She is someone who I would describe as honourable."
As a student at Tech, Smith was a Top Athlete in all five years. This year, things went full circle when she was awarded the District's Mike Allina Award, acknowledging her commitment and service to the community. The Mike Allina Outstanding Contribution Award recognizes individuals (coaches, sponsors, administrators or parents) who have gone above and beyond their volunteer duties to enhance the quality of the sports experience for students at VSB schools.
Although she is interested in pursuing a teaching degree, the pull that students have on her to stay and coach remains strong. "Every year, I say that maybe this is the last year because I am going to go back to school," Smith says. "But then I get these grade 10s and grade 11s asking me if I am going to come back. I always say, OK, sure.'"
