November 2023

Strategic Planning 2023-2028 - Community Engagement Sessions

Field Hockey BC is pleased to invite you to one of our two Community Engagement Sessions:

Virtual Meeting #1 – Thursday November 23, 2023 at 7 pm

Virtual Meeting #2 – Tuesday November 28, 2023 at 7 pm

Please check out our website for more information. https://fieldhockeybc.com/fhbc-strategic-plan-2023-2028/

If you wish to attend one of these sessions, please RSVP to info@fieldhockeybc.com to receive the video conference link.

Field Hockey BC Coaching Conference

Save the date! Field Hockey BC will be holding a coaching conference in the Lower Mainland February 9-11, 2024.

The 2024 BC Coach Conference is proposed to focus across and offer both Professional Development, as well as formal National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) opportunities. There is expected to be both a sport specific and multi-sport theme to the Conference with speakers and panel members offering insight and education from across the globe. The Coaching Conference is being developed with the objective of ‘Embracing Coaches at all Levels’.

More information including early bird registration will open mid-December. Registration will remain open throughout January 2024.

Community Umpiring Course – Online

Field Hockey BC Athlete Development Program

Field Hockey BC would like to thank all those integral to the successful hosting of the 2023 AA and AAA Championships. The Society would also like to congratulate all participating teams and support staff.

USPORTS - National Championships

Photo Credit: Seyran Mammadov

Congratulations to the UVic Vikes for winning the 2023 U SPORTS National Championships in a 3 game series against the University of Toronto. It is their 5th straight and 16th overall U SPORTS National title.

2023 U SPORTS Field Hockey Awards & All-Canadians

Liz Hoffman Award (player of the year): Sanehpreet Basra, UBC

Joyce Slipp Award (rookie of the year): Rebecca Stone, Victoria

Gail Wilson Award (student-athlete community service): Elly Peters, Guelph

Marina van der Merwe Award (Fox40 coach of the year): Maria Leahy, Waterloo

Umpire of the Year: Tyler Klenk, Vancouver, B.C. (CW)

Photo Credit: Vamsi Nadella/UBC Thunderbirds

OUA Award Winners

In addition to their All-Canadian awards, we had a couple of BC athletes pick up awards in the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) field hockey season

OUA Most Valuable Player: Nina Watson, Queen’s

OUA All-Stars: Nina Watson, Queen’s

Natalie Winter, York

Photo credit: Ian MacAlpine/Queen's University

The Junior National Teams are largely self-funded and dependent on funding sources from sponsors and donors, with athletes and their families having to make a major financial commitment to take part in training and competitions to be at their best in representing Canada on the world stage. The following tournaments are coming up in December:

2023 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup

Santiago, Chile

December 6th, 2023 to December 17th, 2023

2023 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

December 5th, 2023 to December 16th, 2023

Several team members from British Columbia are in need of assistance with the costs associated with participating in these events, and Field Hockey BC would like to ask our community to come together and support if you are able.

You may donate directly to BC Athletes via their fundraising pages:

Julia Boraston - Click here

Laine Delmotte - Click here

Katie Gibb - Click here

Isabella Green - Click here

Libby Hogg - Click here

Elizabeth Mathisen - Click here

Kaitlyn Pennefather - Click here

Calista Schwartz - Click here & here

Satpreet Dhadda - Click here

Hudson Loh - Click here

Noah Louie - Click here

Jude Nicholson - Click here

Jyoth Sidhu - Click here

Maan Sidhu - Click here

To read more about the teams, the 2023 Junior World Cup, and the fundraiser initiative, as well as to donate to the overall teams, please access the Junior Women's Team Donation page here. And the Junior Men's Team Donation page here.

World Masters Hockey - Pan Am Continental Cup

Both the Canadian Men's and Women's National Teams have returned from the Pan Am Games. The Men's team claimed the bronze medal, after defeating the USA in a very exciting bronze medal match. The Women’s team placed fourth, after falling short in the bronze medal match against the host team Chile. The placements by both teams were enough to secure a spot in one of the upcoming Olympic Qualifier Tournaments. The Men will be in Muscat, Oman from January 15-21, 2024. The Women will be in Valencia, Spain from January 13-20, 2024. Both teams will need to place in the top three of their respective tournament to receive qualification to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

On the official’s side we were represented by three umpires, Tyler Klenk, Megan Robertson, and Meghan McLennan. All did well and received appointments to placement games on the final days of the competition. Tyler was appointed to the Men's gold medal game, Megan was appointed to Women's gold medal game, and Meghan was appointed to the Women's 5/6th placement game.

Also, we can't forget to extend our appreciation to Media Officer Ali Baggott. Hard at work behind the scenes, work that does not go unnoticed.

Photo Credit: Field Hockey Canada

Photo Credit: Pan American Hockey Federation

KidSport

KidSport provides financial assistance for children 18 and younger from families facing financial obstacles to participate in organized sport #SoALLKidsCanPlay. Visit kidsport.ca and find your local Chapter for details on eligibility and how to help this project.

In 2021, the KidSport BC program distributed $1.3 million in funding to help 4,164 children participate in 45 different sports in 132 communities across the province, including field hockey participants. Help support KidSport and, if you are in need of assistance, reach out to your local Chapter!

Field Hockey BC Society & Field Hockey BC Foundation

The Field Hockey BC Society is the Provincial Sports Organization (PSO) dedicated to supporting and developing field hockey in BC. Your donation will support FHBC's commitment to delivering its five main service pillars - Athlete Development, Coach Development, Officials Development, Event Hosting and Volunteer Recognition. Donate to the Society here.

The Field Hockey BC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Registered Society 'Field Hockey BC' and is managed by the FHBC Board of Directors. The Field Hockey BC Foundation is a leading example of the Society's commitment to the sustainable development of the sport across the province. Tax Receipts are available for donations to the Foundation, and donors have the opportunity to create their own Legacy Fund or donate to an existing program. Donate to the Foundation here.