After almost a year of being bullied online and in person by a group of boys on his high school basketball team and his rep basketball team, our family made the decision to move our 16 year old son from Penticton Secondary School to Summerland Secondary School in January 2020. We discussed this with the Penticton Secondary School Principal, the school counsellors at both schools, and all basketball coaches to make everyone aware, but my son did not want to name his bullies, for fear of retribution and fear of his social standing. So we left it at that, and at the end of April 2020, Tavian was finally able to make the school transfer. He was much happier, and it seemed as though everything was well in hand, until the beginning of this school year, when his new school basketball coach, applied to BC School Sports for an exemption for Tavian to play basketball there, as current BC School Sports rule says that if you transfer schools, you cannot play your sport for one year (this is to prevent recruitment of players to other schools). The exemption was denied by BC School Sports, so our coach appealed and when selecting the reason for the appeal, selected BULLYING. I had to write a letter of explanation, his coach wrote a letter, and Pen High wrote a letter saying they supported Tavian's move to Summerland, and that it would not sway the balance of power between the two basketball teams. Tavian is not going to be playing post-secondary basketball. He just wants to play in his final year, after playing for 7 years, in a place where he now feels safe and supported. Especially after the last year that he endured at Pen High.  

BC School Sports denied his appeal based on BULLYING. With zero explanation on why, or what could have been done to change the outcome. Tavian wasn't even allowed to speak on his own behalf. So the one thing that brings him joy? Taken away. How do you think that affects his mental health now. 

Global News picked up Tavian's story, and reached out to BC School Sports, who answered nothing, but Global News reported "that he was a victim of bullying, and the rules that are set out to protect it."

In the end, we want this organization, not to just talk the talk, but to also, walk the walk. If both schools supports Tavian playing basketball....why don't they?