Most high school students might juggle two, or maybe three different sports, but Brittany Waite is an ultra athlete — she played five different sports up until this past season when she dropped one due to overcommitment.
The 17-year-old has competed in volleyball, basketball, soccer, hockey and taekwondo over the course of the past year, but she decided to drop taekwondo — the art she’s been practicing since she was six — because she didn’t have time for it all.
But despite having five different sports to choose from, Waite doesn’t have a favourite. She loves sports and what it adds to her life.
“I love training and getting better and practicing with my friends and going to competitions. When you travel and go to different tournaments and competitions, you definitely meet a lot of people,” she said, adding that she’s still in contact with many athletes she has played with and against.
It started with taekwondo at age six at Prince Rupert Taekwondo and Martial Arts Centre under the tutelage of Master Paul Bozman. Shortly after that, she started playing soccer with Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA). She also plays for the Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) team and the city team.
Waite started hockey around Grade 6, and didn’t start playing volleyball and basketball until high school. In addition to playing several sports and school responsibilities, she also referees on weekends during the hockey season. That experience has given her a new perspective.
“No one likes a ref, but I’ve definitely learned a lot. When I play hockey now, I respect the refs a lot more. I know how it feels to be yelled at,” Waite said.
Being involved in so many sports means more opportunities for championships and other sporting opportunities and there has been no lack for Waite.
The peak of her career so far was when she went to the Canada Open for taekwondo.
“It was a huge eye opener, I’ve never seen anything like that. There were 27 countries at the Canada Open. The amount of people there, the amount of rings there were, just crazy,” she said.
She also attended taekwondo nationals. In both events, she placed second in her division. Waite went to the Northwest B.C. Winter Games for hockey and also attended the summer games with her friend, Suttira Johansen. The pair competed in doubles in beach volleyball.
Most recently, she went to Abbotsford with the CHSS senior girls volleyball team for provincials after an outstanding season en route to a zone title. Her basketball team also went to provincials in Langley, but she was unable to go.
“With a team sport like volleyball, we’re all going to team dinners, we’re all warming up together, it’s totally different (than taekwondo). I liked the volleyball one a lot with all the girls,” Waite said.
Waite will graduate from CHSS this year, but she’s not sure what’s next, although it’s sure to involve sports.
“I just want to have fun, casually play, meet new people and play with new people,” she said.
She spoke highly of one Prince Rupert athlete, who she said is an inspiration to the entire community.
“Sarah McChesney is one of my best friends and she’s an inspiration to so many people in this town. She’s always there for you, she’s always involved in sports,” Waite said.
She doesn’t know what the future holds, but it’s sure to involve sports and along the way, Waite herself could become an athletic inspiration to kids and adults alike in Prince Rupert.