News and Announcements

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Expression of Interest for Women’s 2024 teams:

Masters INDOOR World Cup Mar 27-31 (Derby, United Kingdom)

Masters OUTDOOR World Cup, Oct 12- 21 (O35 & O40 Cape Town, South Africa) & Nov 7-16 (O45, O50, O55, O60, & O65 Auckland, New Zealand)

The Canadian Masters Women’s Committee is inviting all women aged 035 + to complete this Expression of Interest survey to participate in the World Masters Hockey Indoor World Cup to be held Mar 27-31 (O35, O40, O45, O50, O55, O60, & O65 in Derby, United Kingdom) and the Outdoor Hockey World Cups (WCs), to be held Oct 12- 21 (O35 & O40 in Cape Town, South Africa) & Nov 7-16 2024 (O45, O50, O55, O60, & O65 in Auckland, New Zealand).

Please complete this survey by Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at the latest. This will enable us to register the required number of teams, recruit coaches and team managers, book turf for regional/national training camps and all other associated logistics. None of this is possible without an accurate understanding of who is interested.

This is a wonderful opportunity to play competitive hockey in an international arena. We encourage all players who are keen to develop their skills to complete this survey.

https://www.rampregistrations.com/a/participant/register?v3=084b3268&dGd1aWQ1=MjEwOTJGRjgtRkEyRS00MzA2LTkxOUUtMDFGMjY1MEJFOEI50

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Field Hockey Canada is proud to announce that the Women’s National Team coaching staff, consisting of the celebrated Olympic Gold medal-winning duo Danny Kerry and Kate Richardson-Walsh, will be leading a coach education seminar series. This exclusive opportunity will provide participants with direct access to valuable insights and expertise, as the renowned coaches share their golden nuggets of knowledge. Using a combination of video presentations and interaction with participants, this seminar series will primarily focus on Canada’s Women’s National Team (WNT) and delve into the essential trends and requirements for success in international hockey.

In addition to being a valuable learning experience, please note that there will be a nominal charge for attending the seminar series. All proceeds from this event will go directly towards supporting the WNT in their upcoming Olympic qualification push. By participating in this seminar series, you will not only gain valuable knowledge but also contribute to the success of our WNT.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.rampregistrations.com/a/clinic/default?v3=7aa122cc&dGd1aWQ1=REIyNThCMjItNDAyMy00OEQwLUIzMUEtQjUyNjEzNURFNThC0

The seminar series will consist of three sessions, each focusing on a different aspect of coaching and the game. The dates and topics for each session are as follows:

Thursday, August 10th [530pm PDT]: Coaching and the development of skill – Theory and Practice. This session will explore the concept of what skill is, what the research evidence suggests creates the best environment for developing skill in players, and what this looks like practically in session planning for coaches.

Tuesday, August 15th [530pm PDT]: Coaching and the development of team understanding – Theory and Practice. How do players know what their team-mates around them will do and when? How do we know our team are seeing the opportunities for attack and the threats in defence in the same way at the same time and co-ordinate solutions to them as a team? This session will explore some of the theory and practical application in coaching of team understanding.

Thursday, August 17th [530pm PDT]: An overview of the modern international game and implications for coaching. A discussion of trends in the modern international game, and what this means for both what we coach and how.

Participants have the flexibility to choose individual sessions for $50 each or register for all three sessions at a discounted price of $130. It is important to note that this event serves as a fundraiser for our WNT, and attendees are welcome to donate a greater sum if they are able to. Every contribution will make a significant impact and directly support the WNT in their pursuit of Olympic qualification.

REGISTRATION INSTERUCTIONS:
– Make an account on Ramp –

Step 1: Select Camps and Clinics
Step 2: Green Register button
Step 3: Select your member name
Step 4: Select your clinic option ( choice of individual courses or full course)
Step 5: Answer Bio details
Step 6: Payment

Full article: https://fieldhockey.ca/coaching-seminar-series-with-womens-national-team-coaching-staff/

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The Summer Drop-in Schedule is out. Please note that these are co-ed games either 7-aside of 11-aside format and there is no technical session or practice happening at these events. All participants must be registered with Field Hockey BC to participate in game play. There are no exceptions.

Sailors Drop-In on Tuesdays
The Sailors field hockey club are excited to host another summer season of co-ed drop-in. This is co-ed adult level field hockey. All participants must be registered under Field Hockey BC and must be 14 years of age or older.

Day of the week: Tuesdays
June 27 to August 29 (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
UVic Field 1
Cost: $5 per session (cash upon arrival)
Questions: alilee05@gmail.com

Rebels Drop-In on Thursdays
The Rebels Club will be hosting its regular summer drop-in sessions on Thursday evenings on the turf at UVic. This is co-ed family drop-in hockey. All participants must be registered under Field Hockey BC. Participants under 14 years need a parent or guardian present.

Day of the week: Thursdays
Starting July 6 (7:30 – 9:00 pm)
UVic Field 1
Cost: $5 per session (cash upon arrival)
Questions: rebelsfieldhockey@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Chris Wilson (Island Wave Photography)

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The Metro Vancouver Pro League (MVPL) is coming to Victoria on Saturday, May 13 and this is one of the rare occasions that Vancouver Island will entertain Canada’s best men’s players including several from the Canadian national team and Olympians. You may even see some of these players at Victoria Junior League sessions that weekend!

The four-team semifinal action will take place at the University of Victoria with games at 3:00 pm (2nd vs 3rd place) and 4:30 pm (1st vs 4th place). Along with the games, there are opportunities for youth to take place in the opening walkouts or as ball kids and opportunities for the community to learn from international officials including technical officials and umpires.

The MVPL was formed in 2022 and this is the second instalment of the high-performance field hockey league that focuses on diversity, inclusion, sportsmanship, integrity and respect for the game. Each of the four teams are named after key contributors to the sport of field hockey and the player draft balances the senior and junior talent for balanced but competitive competition. This is the highest-level men’s field hockey that can be played in Canada.

Interested in taking part? Here are the details:

COME WATCH – Saturday, May 13, 2023
• 3:00 pm – Game 1 (2nd vs 3rd Place)
• 4:30 pm – Game 2 (1st vs 4th Place)

Admission is free and seating is first come first serve. The pace of the game is high and so is the ball speed. Please ensure children are supervised and are paying attention if near the sidelines.

Youth participation – walk out buddies (U8 and U6) and ball kids (U14-U18)
• Please contact Ali Baggott: techdirector@victoriajuniorfieldhockey.ca
• Must be available 2:45-3:15pm for Game 1 and/or 4:15-4:45pm for Game 1.
• Walk out buddies are only needed for the beginning of each game
• Ball kids are needed 10 min before the game and throughout the game time(s)

Interested in learning about Technical Official roles or want to support on game day?
• Please contact Brenda Rushton: bjrushton19@gmail.com

Umpire Development Workshop
• Please register online (free): https://forms.gle/pQSFivPohxwbSMGB9
• Register by May 10, 2023.
• This session runs 2-6:30pm and will be facilitated by Alan Waterman (Olympic umpire, FIH Umpire Manager) and will include Q&As with current international umpires Lelia Sacre, Tyler Klenk, Meghan McLennan and Megan Robertson.

Check out the MVPL online:
Website: https://www.mvpl.ca/hype-league/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvpl.fh/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@metrovancouverproleague293
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvpl.fh

Feature photo: Harbir Sidhu (Canadian men’s national team player, former UVic Vikes player from Victoria, B.C.).
Photo Credit: Chris Bulowski

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The University of Victoria is pleased to welcome two historic powerhouse teams to it’s 2023 Hall of Fame class. Finding their place in the coveted Vikes Walk of Excellence is the 1992-93 women’s field hockey team and the 1982-83 men’s basketball team. The team will be honoured at a special induction ceremony on May 11, 2023.

Congratulations!

1992-93 Women’s field hockey

After a year off playing for the Canadian women’s national team, Milena Gaiga, Rochelle Low and Sue Reid return back to the 1992 University of Victoria field hockey team. Also returning to the Vikettes line-up was key midfield player and Victoria native, Cara Jay.

This season, field hockey Canada adopted the new unlimited substitutions rule for the first time. The new rule provided the opportunity for athletes to have more playing time and improve their game. If anything, unlimited substitution worked in favour for the Vikes as they dominated their Canada West opponents. Midway through the regular season the Vikettes remained undefeated as they played the University of Calgary in the snow. After sweeping the weekend tournament, the Vikettes were ranked No. 1 in the country.

For the first time in two years UVic hosted the Canada West championship tournament. The tournament provided them with the opportunity to showcase their talent at home and more historically, christen their new artificial turf.

In game one UVic defeated Alberta 2-0 in a hard fought, challenging game. Later that afternoon, the Vikettes played Manitoba. The three team combo of Juliet Anderton, Giaga and Low got the best of the Manitoba team as the three secured a sequence of plays converting into two goals. Colleen MacLeod finished the game with a third goal to give UVic a 3-0 victory over Manitoba. The third game had UVic pitted against Calgary. In the first half UVic’s Brenda Lannard secured the first goal. Later in the second half, Robin Vinge provided reassurance as the Vikettes defeated Calgary 2-0. In the final game of the championships, UVic played mainland rivals, University of British Columbia. For the first time that season, UVic tied UBC 2-2 with two back-to-back from Low.

Gaiga, Low and Reid were named Canada West All-Stars, while Low was dubbed Canada West Universities Athlete Association player of the year.

UVic travelled to the mainland for the 1992 Canadian Interuniversity Athlete Union (CIAU) national championships, hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC). In round-robin play the Vikettes played the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and York University. In game one UVic tied UNB 0-0. In game two the Vikettes beat York 1-0, just enough to make the semifinals. Facing, University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the semifinals UVic powered through to defeat them 4-0. Goals were scored from Anderton, Gaiga and two from Reid.

In the gold medal game the Vikettes met UNB. To the Vikettes surprise, every time they had possession of the ball, UNB would yell, “retreat!” and run back past the 50 (half field line). Vikette Jay recalls the 1992 finals to be one of the strangest games she every played. Nonetheless, it opened the field for the determined Vikettes to enter their zone in full force and defeat UNB 2-0 to take home UVic’s fifth field hockey championship banner. Goals were scored by Lannard and Anderton.

Low and Reid were named CIAU First Team All-Canadians, while Gaiga was the lone Vike to be named to the Second All-Canadian team. Low was named player of the gold medal game. However, leader Low thought Jay deserved the honour and gave the award to her afterwards. Low, Reid and Gaiga were also named to the tournament XI roster.

Following the 1992 season, Low was honoured as a 1993 Canada West Athletic Association (CWAA) female recipient of the Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) Award. The BLG award represents a student athlete who has participated in university varsity athletics for a minimum of two years, studying in the field of their first undergraduate degree or graduate program, is an Athlete of the Year or runner up and has not previously won the BLG award. The award was created to support Canadian university athletes after the financial cutback during the early 1990s. Low was the first University of Victoria student-athlete to accept the award.

The 1994 championship win earned Jay the most decorated CIAU women’s field hockey athlete. In her five years as a Vikette, (1989, 90, 91, 92, 94) Jay won four championships and one silver place finish.

The 1992 University Martlet Newspaper recognized the reign of the women’s field hockey team by expressing their personal thoughts on the team’s success. “It was a total team effort, as it has been all year long. This is indeed a team that embodies everything that a university squad should be, and a team that at least deserves to have its banners [hung] in the [McKinnon] gym.” Teamwork was exactly what head coach Lynne Beecroft emphasized all season. Beecroft “attributes the team’s success to their high level of dedication and training on and off the field.”

International Success
That summer, Gaiga, Low, Reid and alumni Debbie Whitten and Lauralee Kopeck represented Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Summer Games. Canada finished seventh.

Highlights
Canada West Record: 11-0-1 (1st)
Canada West All-Stars: Milena Gaiga, Sue Reid, Rochelle Low
Canada West Player of the Year: Rochelle Low

CIAU Record: 2-0-1(Gold)
CIAU First Team All-Canadian: Rochelle Low, Sue Reid
CIAU Second Team All-Canadian: Milena Gaiga
CIAU Player of the Year (Liz Hoffman Award): Rochelle Low