News and Announcements

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The Victoria Junior League starts this weekend, April 15-16, and we are excited that two hockey supply vendors from Vancouver will be here on Sunday, April 16 from 9am-5:30pm up at the University of Victoria beside the water-based field.

Please come up and visit if you are interested in purchasing equipment from:
1) Osaka Americas – https://osakaworld.com
2) Ritual Hockey – https://ritualhockey.com/

The above two brands will in Victoria for the day and will have a supply of sticks, shoes, bags and accessories.

A reminder that we have local partners should you need any equipment throughout the year:
- Kirby’s Source for Sports (894 Cloverdale) carries Grays equipment via AK Pro Canada https://www.akprocanada.com/
- Heather Goodman in Duncan (hgoodman@telus.net) is a rep for Hockey King Sports (including Brabo) https://hockeykingsports.com/
- Bunny Hughes (vbunnyhughes@gmail.com) is a rep for the Field Hockey Shack (including Gryphon) https://www.fieldhockeyshack.com/

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The annual VILFHA awards returned after a two-year pandemic hiatus and a successful, entire season was played for 2022-23.

The VILFHA executive and team representatives are pleased to announce this year’s award winners highlighted by Rebels Patriots midfielder Katie Bennett being named the league’s Most Outstanding Player and Hibbert Trophy winner. Division MVPs included Patriots’ Lindsay Cole (Division 1), both Sarah Mastromonaco of the Sailors and Lisa Rempel of the Rogues (Division 2) and both Renegades’ Julie Williams and Lynx 3’s Caitlin Hastings (Division 3). The Trelawney Shield for the Top Junior Player is awarded to the Lynx 1’s Rebecca Stone, while the Foley Shield for Most Improved Umpire is awarded to Cowichan’s Brooke Wipplinger.

In addition, the prestigious Christine Trophy for service, ability and sportsmanship was awarded to long-time member of the Pirates, Erica Kjekstad.

League Winners
Penn Trophy (Div 1): Patriots
Kelman Trophy (Div 2): Lynx 2
Jenny John Trophy (Div 3): Demons

Playoff Winners
Boudreau Trophy (Div 1): Lynx Blue
Al Chedd Memorial Trophy (Div 2): Lynx 2
Anne Bridge Memorial Trophy (Div 3): Demons

Most Sportsmanlike Winners
Division 1: Lynx 1
Division 2: Cardinals
Division 3: Devils

Head to the VILFHA Facebook Page to see individual posts on each winner and offer your congratulations: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.687169713415132&type=3

View past winners: https://www.teampages.com/leagues/1279/pages/82197

Hibbert Trophy – Most Outstanding Player
Katie Bennett, Patriots

Katie was instrumental to the Patriots’ success this season and her presence was greatly missed when she had to miss games due to work commitments as a dedicated health care worker and nurse. Katie’s speed and tenacity in both directions made her one the most impactful midfielder in the league and helped her team capture the league title. While she may not have been the one scoring the goals, she drew a lot of attention towards her to free up her teammates and was a tireless worker on defence and offence. Katie was named Player of the Game by her team and her opponent’s teams 15 times, often in the same game and more than any other player in the league. Katie is also a humble opponent to play against and a cheerful and contributing teammate.

Christine Trophy – Service, Ability, Sportsmanship
Erica Kjekstad, Pirates

Erica Kjekstad is a long-time VILFHA member and key player on the division 3 Pirates team. On the field, she is a core player with superb skills, extreme composure and relentless tenacity. She is a sportsmanlike and cheerful opponent and joyful and kind teammate. Off the field Erica has still been at arm’s distance to the VILFHA executive despite stepping down the season previous. Erica still helps maintain the books for the league while the treasurer position remains vacant. Previously helping organize the Victoria Junior League, there is no shortage of contributions Erica has made over the years. This year, Erica was called up and helped fill in when her club teams in higher divisions were short and once played for the Mariners, Sailors and Pirates on the same day. Erica has also picked up umpiring in the wake of the umpire shortage across the island and has been committed to learning, growing and practicing her new official skills.

  • Trelawney Shield – Top Junior (U18) Player*
    Rebecca Stone, Lynx 1

Rebecca Stone has been a key player for the Lynx club this season. A staple in the middle of the pitch, Rebecca quietly but effectively collects and delivers the ball for her team in a way that seems to set the tempo and keep the rhythm for her side. Rebecca helped guide her high school team, St. Michael’s University School, to a AA Provincial Championship this year and she is soon off to represent Canada as a member of the U18 National touring team. Rebecca has consistently shown she has the playing maturity to compete with the island’s best and the league looks forward to seeing her shine as part of the UVic Vikes women’s program next season, where she recently announced her commitment.

Foley Shield – Most Improved Umpire
Brooke Wipplinger, Cowichan FHC

Brooke Wipplinger is a young umpire from Cowichan who has gone above and beyond to grow her skills as an outdoor and indoor umpire. Alison Sweeten, President of the Umpires Association, eagerly presented the award in person to Brooke and was quick to highlight Brooke’s commitment to learning and her improvement in this season alone. Brooke umpired multiple games at the U18 BC Indoor Championships and shown confidence to step up to umpire at the senior indoor championship a week later. Brooke’s contributions as an umpire are even further highlighted by the fact that there are less senior umpire mentors in the Cowichan region so she has gone out of her way to get the variety of umpire support she craves.

Division 1 MVP & All-Stars
MVP: Lindsay Cole

Lindsay Cole would be the first person you would notice when you watch a Patriots game. Her speed, tenacity and flare on the pitch can’t go unnoticed. Lindsay scored 13 goals in 15 regular season games played, with the team having three other goals in the season being scored by two other players. The Patriots won the league title and that would not have been possible without Lindsay’s ability to score in free play and on penalty corners. Playing in the middle of the pitch Lindsay is almost always the spark to any Patriots’ team attack and she is first to run out on defensive penalty corners.

Division 1 All-Stars:
Irene Morilla, Lynx 1
Rebecca Stone, Lynx 1
Kyla Kirby, Lynx 1
Anais Chace, Lynx 1
Ashton Aumen, Mariners
Nicole Gaul, Mariners
Ali Baggott, Mariners
Katie Bennett, Patriots
Lindsay Cole, Patriots
Heather Wheatley, Patriots

Division 2 MVP & All-Stars
MVP: Sarah Mastromonaco, Sailors & Lisa Rempel, Rogues

Sailors’ midfielder Sarah Mastomonaco and Rebels’ midfielder Lisa Rempel shared the honours of Division 2 Most Valuable Player. For the Sailors, Sarah was instrumental for the team that faced a lot of transition since the pandemic. Her speed, tenacity and control on the ball was the glue that held the Sailors together. Sarah scored three goals in the season and provided a lot of the energy and speed for the team. Lisa Rempel is no stranger to the island hockey scene and her experience and low tackles made her an integral part of the newly re-named Rebels side, the Rogues. Lisa is everywhere on the pitch at any given time. She is a wall to try and bypass but her soft hands in the circle help her keep the team’s composure in either end of the pitch. Lisa played all but one game this season and her two-way efforts hardly went unnoticed.

Division 2 All-Stars:
Ava Winter, Cardinals
Anna Maria Jordan, Cardinals
Kendra Burley, Cardinals
Monet Thurbide, Lynx 2
Kendyll Adams, Lynx 2
Wynn Brown, Lynx 2
Lisa Rempel, Rogues
Haley Hall, Rogues
Sarah Mastromonaco, Sailors
Shannon Petrovic, Sailors
Kaileigh Graham, Sailors

Division 3 MVP & All-Stars
MVP: Julie Williams, Renegades & Caitlin Hastings, Lynx 3

In Division 3, the Most Valuable Player award was also shared and this time between Renegades forward Julie Williams and Lynx 3 defender/midfielder Caitlin Hastings. Julie’s control of the ball up front gave the Renegades the experience they needed on attack. Julie was the team’s leading goal scorer, with seven goals, and the next highest goal scorer only had two goals. Julie is also a voice on the team to help her side with positioning and movement on the field. For Lynx 3, the experience and composure of Caitlin Hastings is long overdue from being recognized. Caitlin is the central player that makes a youthful team look cohesive and on the same page. As the voice from the back, Caitlin is often helping mentor her younger teammates in their first season of playing women’s league and she is a key role model for them. Caitlin’s strength on the ball, distribution and defensive skills were critical for Lynx 3’s success. Caitlin was the team’s second-highest goal scorer with five goals, behind Anika Benson’s leading six.

Division 3 All-Stars:
Helen Currey, Demons
Lisa Adamschek, Demons
Natalie Work, Demons
Alice Lam, Devils
Caitlin Hastings, Lynx 3
Kate Flye, Lynx 3
Kristen Ingelman, Lynx 3
Tracey Varian, Pirates
Erica Kjekstad, Pirates
Louise Good, Pirates
Julie Williams, Renegades
Sarah Solaczek, Renegades
Tenille Cole, Renegades
Hayley Picard, Stellers
Sadie Tucker, Stellers

All of the award winners were honoured in person at the Spring General Meeting on April 4 at the Juan de Fuca lower clubhouse. All-star winners were presented with VILFHA crested shirts, while major award winners received perpetual trophies and VILFHA crested hoodies.

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Dear Field Hockey BC Member,

As the 2022-23 Senior Season closes and the 2023 Junior Season opens this coming weekend, I write on behalf of the FHBC Board of Directors to highlight and remind all members about the importance of respect and courtesy towards our valued Officials and Umpires at all levels of field hockey across BC.

Our great game cannot function or offer a compelling value proposition without Officials and Umpires driving the sport forward in partnership with Coaches, Players, Volunteers, and Fans. Without them we do not have a game or a sport. Like Players and Coaches, Umpires and Officials devote time, energy and expertise into performing their duties on a weekly basis and we should appreciate all the time and effort they put in.

If Field Hockey across BC is going to continue to thrive and maintain the amazing sense of community and inclusiveness it has, there needs to be respect for everyone in the game. This respect must come from those both on and off the field of play. I would encourage everyone to refamiliarize themselves with the FHBC RESPECT PROGRAM and the associated Codes of Conduct that are available to read and download from the Documents section of the FHBC Website at https://fieldhockeybc.com/documents/.

It remains a given that Officials and Umpires make mistakes…as do Players and Coaches. Being an Umpire or Official is a tough and often thankless job. They give up their time to ensure Players, Coaches, Parents, Fans, and Spectators enjoy everything that is great about field hockey.

Regardless of decisions made, whether right or wrong, there is no excuse or justification for verbally abusing or threatening Officials and Umpires. Next time you think about criticizing an umpiring decision or witness someone hurling verbal abuse from beyond the field of play, choose RESPECT instead of criticism and ridicule.

We all have a responsibility to set an example through how we act and what we say. Just like acknowledging the opposition after a hard-fought game, Officials and Umpires deserve a ‘thank you’ for their participation regardless of the result.

Everyone has a responsibility to make field hockey the best game it can be. We are blessed to have so many fantastic people involved in our sport and by retaining Officials and Umpires and attracting others to take up these important roles, field hockey across BC will continue to go from strength to strength. Here’s to a memorable, for all the right reasons, Spring and Summer season. Enjoy!

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
March 31, 2023

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Field Hockey BC is delighted to announce that the Society is now accepting applications for the following FHBC Foundation Bursary Programs:

  • The Barb Hart Harris Athlete Assistance Bursary
  • The Dr. Christine Grant Coaching Professional Development Bursary
  • The Jenny John Officiating Professional Development Bursary
  • The Allyn Murison Grassroots Bursary

The Application deadline for The Barb Hart Harris Athlete Assistance Bursary is May 8th. The remaining three Bursary Programs above have an application deadline of April 26th. These Bursary Programs are designed to provide valuable financial assistance towards an individual’s access to and/or professional development in the sport of Field Hockey.

The Barb Hart Harris Athlete Assistance Bursary is open to any member enrolled in an FHBC regional athlete program – technical development program, talent identification program, elite program or regional team program. The Allyn Murison Grassroots Bursary aims to support female athletes under the age of 12 to access field hockey programming at the club level. The Coaching and Officiating bursary programs are open to all levels of coach and official, with officiating including both umpires and technical officials.

Pat Hall Officials Development Award: In addition to the multiple Bursary windows now open and referenced above, a polite reminder to Vancouver Island Officials in particular that the Pat Hall Official Development Award within the FHBC Foundation remains open for applications year round (until funds are exhausted for the year). This award is designed to promote the development of Vancouver Island umpires and technical officials with preference given to members active on the Island. Award nominations will remains open until all the available funds are utilized.


IMPORTANT: applicants for all of the financial assistance programs within the FHBC Foundation must be a current member in good standing with Field Hockey BC and an active official, coach or player within National, Provincial or Club base programming.

Go to www.fhbcfoundation.com for more information and to download the application forms.

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The final day of the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association (VILFHA) wrapped in fine form with fantastic weather and great action. Lynx Blue came out on top for Division 1 to take the Boudreau Trophy as the Playoff winners, while Patriots were named the league winners (Penn Trophy) after total points in the first half of the season (before UVic players joined and the Lynx club split into two teams). The Mariners beat the Patriots in a high-scoring 6-5 victory on March 15 for third place in the playoff run in Division 1.

In Division 2, after a scoreless four quarters the Rogues downed the Sailors in a shootout to take third place in the playoff set. Lynx 2 beat the Cardinals in the final to hoist both the Al Chedd Memorial Trophy as Div 2 Playoff Champions as well as the Kelman Trophy for winning the league.

Another double winner came in Division 3 as the Demons downed Lynx 3 by 2-0 to hoist the Anne Bridge Memorial Trophy as the Division 3 playoff champions as well as the Jenny John Trophy as the league winners. The Renegades beat the Pirates 4-2 for third spot, while the Stellers forfeited the 5/6th placed game to the Devils for their game originally scheduled for Mar. 12.

Playoff Standings:
Division 1: 1. Lynx Blue, 2. Lynx White, 3. Mariners, 4. Patriots
Division 2: 1. Lynx 2, 2. Cardinals, 3. Rogues, 4. Sailors
Division 3: 1. Demons, 2. Lynx 3, 3. Renegades, 4. Pirates 5. Devils 6. Stellers

For photos from the semifinals and finals weekend please visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vancouverislandladiesfieldhockey

Congratulations to all the teams! Thank you to the officials who helped make the games run this season.

The Spring General Meeting and Annual Awards night will be on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Details: https://vilfha.teampages.com/leagues/1279/announcements/2339155-Spring-General-Meeting-notice

Photo Credit: Chris Wilson (Island Wave Photography)