NCS Named 2025 Most Inspirational School by BC School Sports

NCS was chosen from 460 schools across British Columbia for the award.

In May at the annual BC School Sports Awards Dinner in Kelowna, Nanaimo Christian School (NCS) received the 2025 BC School Sports Most Inspirational School Award. 

Read the Nanaimo News Bulletin article here.

NCS was chosen from 460 schools across British Columbia for the award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, culture, and community impact through athletics. The award celebrates schools that live out the values of BC School Sports, demonstrate strong administrative support, and find creative ways to elevate the student-athlete experience.

“At NCS, athletics are more than competition. They are part of our mission to help students Belong, Believe, and Achieve,” said Athletic Director Breanne Quist. “This award belongs to our entire K-12 community. From primary students cheering on tournament days to volunteers who coach, scorekeep, referee, and support our teams. It is something we have built together.”

Nanaimo Christian School has experienced remarkable growth in its athletics program in recent years. Just nine years ago, the school fielded seven teams. Today, it offers 35 teams across a wide range of sports, including volleyball, basketball, badminton, cross country, golf, soccer, curling, ultimate, ski, swim, and more. Nearly half of the student body in grades 8-12 play on at least one school team, and most of those students participate on multiple teams.

A key turning point for the program came with the hiring of Quist as Athletic Director in 2015 and the construction of a new gym beginning in 2017. The school strategically decided to prioritize mentorship, leadership, and connection by hiring staff who also coach. Weekly collaboration between athletics and school leadership has aligned programs with the vision of helping every student flourish.

NCS also regularly welcomes teams from across the Island and province, organizing championship tournaments in volleyball, golf, and more. Student greeters, cheering sections, and hospitality teams reflect the school’s deep commitment to welcoming and sportsmanship.

“This award celebrates who we have become as a school,” said Head of School Mike Campbell. “It is not about a single team or season. It is about students being shaped through joy, determination, camaraderie, and belonging. I am incredibly proud to serve alongside a team that strategically keeps the focus on the whole child in the arts, applied skills, academics, and, in this case, athletics.”

On her office window, Athletic Director Breanne Quist keeps two reminders. The first reads, “Respect all, fear none.” The second encourages students to “Star in the role you have, work hard for the role you want.” These sayings reflect a culture built on respect, courage, and growth.

At NCS, sport is more than competition; it is also a way to serve. In April, Quist and Campbell led 68 high school students on a service trip to Belize, where they ran sports camps for local children, played pickup games in the heat, and experienced firsthand how sport can break barriers and build lasting connections.

According to BC School Sports, educational athletics in British Columbia provide more than 120,000 student-athlete opportunities yearly. This system thrives because of dedicated volunteers, visionary leaders, and schools that model servant leadership, hospitality, and a deep commitment to students' flourishing.

Read more stories about athletics at NCS.