Field Hockey Canada announces cancellation of 2021 National Championships

by FHC

Field Hockey Canada’s Hosting Committee is announcing the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 National Championships. The decision comes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding national and regional travel restrictions.

With inter-provincial travel limited and safety at front of mind, Field Hockey Canada in consultation with Provincial Partners has made the early decision to cancel the event.

Where possible, and with COVID protocols foremost in mind, Field Hockey Canada will be hosting talent identification camps around the country during 2021 to ensure all athletes have an opportunity to be scouted and enter FHC programs.

Read the full announcement here.


Despite the FHC Nationals’ cancellation, Field Hockey BC remains focused and committed to providing talent identification opportunities and high performance training during the summer window of June-August 2021.

FHBC Annual General Meeting – Fourth Notice of 2021 AGM Calendar Timelines

You can access the PDF version of this document here.
You can download the AGM Package here.


Further to the previous three AGM notice circulations, FHBC is sending out the fourth of four planned community communiques in advance of the upcoming VIRTUAL Field Hockey BC Annual General Meeting on February 10th, 2021 (6.30pm). This fourth notice draws particular attention to the posting of the AGM Package which includes all pertinent information pertaining to the 2021 AGM.

The AGM Package includes the following documentation:

  • Meeting Agenda
  • Minutes from the last AGM (February 10, 2020)
  • Notice of Motions
  • Notice of Board of Director Elections
  • Reports from the President and Executive Director
  • Board Executive Reports
  • Audited Financial Statement to August 31, 2020

This notice also provides the opportunity to remind members of the deadline and due process ahead of the AGM associated with Voting. For those members wishing to attend and carry an individual vote or carry permissible proxy votes at the 2021 Virtual FHBC AGM, the following deadline has been set for the submission of an appropriate form or forms:

  • Deadline for Submission of Proxy Forms to FHBC: February 3, 2021
  • Deadline to Register as an Individual Voter: February 3, 2021

 

Submission of PROXY VOTING FORMS

FHBC has posted TWO forms associated with voting via Proxy at the 2021 FHBC AGM:

  1. The first form is a PROXY FORM LIST that a proxy holder is responsible for completion and submission to FHBC by the deadline of February 3, 2021.
  2. The second form is a PROXY VERIFICATION FORM/SUBMISSION that requires a member signature confirming the identity of the proxy holder who will carry their vote at the 2021 FHBC AGM.

The Proxy Holder is responsible for the SINGLE (all at one time) SUBMISSION of BOTH the PROXY FORM LIST and the SIGNED PROXY VERIFICATION(S) to FHBC by the deadline date of February 3, 2021.

For SIGNED PROXY VERIFICATION(S), members can utilize the posted PROXY VERIFICATION FORM and return this to the Proxy Holder, OR members may submit the following standardized information to the Proxy Holder by other means (for example as a photo file):

  • Title: 2021 FHBC AGM
  • Member Name:
  • Member Membership #:
  • Designation of Voting Right to Proxy Holder (Proxy Holder Name):
  • Member Signature:

Both the PROXY FORM LIST Template and the PROXY VERIFICATION FORM Template can be accessed via the FHBC website from the FHBC AGM main page www.fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm/ or from in the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM.

All VOTING Form submissions are to be returned to info@fieldhockeybc.com by February 3, 2021.

 

Submission of an INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM (for those members NOT carrying votes via proxy)

For members wishing to attend the 2021 FHBC AGM and vote as an individual, FHBC has created an INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM that can be accessed from the FHBC website either at the FHBC AGM main page www.fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm/, or from the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ (under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM). INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM SUBMISSION is required by a deadline date of February 3, 2021

All VOTING Form submissions are to be returned to info@fieldhockeybc.com by February 3, 2021.

 

Uploading Voting Information in advance of the 2021 FHBC AGM

Following receipt and processing of a Voting Form Submission, FHBC will upload all relevant detail into the voting software being utilized for the 2021 Virtual FHBC AGM and communicate thereafter to those carrying votes on how they can access the voting software and cast votes at the AGM.

FHBC looks forward to welcoming you to the virtual 2021 AGM on the evening of February 10, 2021. A further notice as to how members can access the virtual 2021 AGM will be circulated on February 5, 2021. This notice will be principally targeted at those who wish to attend but are not carrying a vote – those voting will receive direct notification. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us at info@fieldhockeybc.com should you have any questions regarding the 2021 FHBC AGM.

Yours in sport,

Margaret Johnson
Vice-President
Field Hockey BC
January 25, 2021

In Memoriam: Joyce Harris

Our field hockey community lost a very dear and important pioneer of our sport when Joyce Harris passed away in October 2020 at the age of 94. Field Hockey BC would like to extend condolences to her friends and family, and remind everyone of her contributions to Canadian field hockey.

Born in England, Joyce moved to British Columbia in 1957 where she became a stalwart in goal at the Provincial level and in the Vancouver Women’s Field Hockey Association. Former National team member Moira Colbourne recalls: “Joyce played with me in the Vancouver Women’s league on the Ex Britannia Club as our goalie and was outstanding”. She was awarded the Watson Trophy in 1960 as the League’s Most Outstanding player – an award she could have won many times had rules allowed. Joyce later became a founding member of the Ramblers Hockey Club.

Moira continues: “Joyce also played on our B.C. Rep teams for many years. She was our Captain for the 1971 Canadian National team, where we travelled to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand for the World Tournament.” Joyce was at her best in goal on that tour, leading Canada to a 10th place finish.
In 1973, Joyce was manager of the Canadian Women’s Touring team that travelled to England and Wales. She also served as umpire on that tour, and continued umpiring at the National and International level for a number of years.

Following is an article published in the newsletter for the 1969 Nationals (Courtesy Jenny John):

“Joyce Stands Guard” by Barbara Hinds

“A goalkeeper is really the first line of attack, not the last line of defense. That is a maxim of one of the best women field hockey goaltenders in the Canadian sport.

She is Joyce Harris of Vancouver, and she is a good reason why the British Columbia team won the gold medal.

Off the pitch, she is casual and slow moving. In the game, she is on her toes and the bouncingist goalkeeper in action.

Joyce Harris as an international umpire in 1975; ex-national umpire Henry Lenaghan (right)

“I’ve never been injured,” she says. “The odd ball in the stomach maybe, but you let your body go back and you can take it.” A goalkeeper needs agility, ability and confidence. “Without confidence, she’s going to be afraid and won’t be as good.”

Her hockey playing started as an 11-year-old in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. She later played for the South of England team. In 1957, she went to a friend’s wedding in British Columbia and she is still here.

Since then, she has played for Canada (which meant she had to become a Canadian citizen) in the United States and Europe. Although she is now 37, she hopes to be fit enough to try for the 1970 national team which will tour New Zealand.

Her job is secretary at an 1,800-student Vancouver high school, and after business hours she is writing, as co-author, a book to be called “Field Hockey for Women”.

Joyce retired to Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, where she played and organized 9 hole golf with members, played Bridge and always entertained. As Jenny John says and those who knew her remember, “Joyce had a wonderful smile and very infectious laugh. Her legacy will be her laughter.”

Rest in peace, Joyce. You will be missed.

FHBC Provincial Program Update


Details of our upcoming Provincial Program were set to be released in early January. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we do not feel that we can confidently release trial or program information at this time. It is unclear what restrictions we will be operating under, over the course of the next six months.

Therefore, we will continue to have conversations with both Field Hockey Canada and viaSport BC in an effort to determine what will actually be feasible.

We remain committed to having a clear and transparent trial process, including multiple entry points for athletes. However, our number one priority at this time is to ensure the safety of all involved with our program.

We hope to be able to provide our members with a more detailed update in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience.

2021 FHBC Annual General Meeting – Third Notice of 2021 AGM Calendar Timelines

You can download the PDF version of this document here.


Further to the first and second AGM notice circulations on December 21, 2020 and January 4, 2021 respectively, FHBC is sending out a third of four planned community communiques in preparation for the upcoming VIRTUAL Field Hockey BC Annual General Meeting on February 10th, 2021 (6.30pm). This third notice draws particular attention to the deadline for the submission of forms associated with VOTING at the AGM.

For those members wishing to attend and carry an individual vote or carry permissible proxy votes at the 2021 Virtual FHBC AGM, the following deadline has been set for the submission of an appropriate form or forms:

  • Deadline for Submission of Proxy Forms to FHBC: February 3, 2021
  • Deadline to Register as an Individual Voter: February 3, 2021

 

Submission of PROXY VOTING FORMS

FHBC has posted TWO forms associated with voting via Proxy at the 2021 FHBC AGM:

  1. The first form is a PROXY FORM LIST that a proxy holder is responsible for completion and submission to FHBC by the deadline of February 3, 2021.
  2. The second form is a PROXY VERIFICATION FORM/SUBMISSION that requires a member signature confirming the identity of the proxy holder who will carry their vote at the 2021 FHBC AGM.

The Proxy Holder is responsible for the SINGLE (all at one time) SUBMISSION of BOTH the PROXY FORM LIST and the SIGNED PROXY VERIFICATION(S) to FHBC by the deadline date of February 3, 2021.

For SIGNED PROXY VERIFICATION(S), members can utilize the posted PROXY VERIFICATION FORM and return this to the Proxy Holder, OR members may submit the following standardized information to the Proxy Holder by other means (for example as a photo file):

  • Title: 2021 FHBC AGM
  • Member Name:
  • Member Membership #:
  • Designation of Voting Right to Proxy Holder (Proxy Holder Name):
  • Member Signature:

Both the PROXY FORM LIST Template and the PROXY VERIFICATION FORM Template can be accessed via the FHBC website from the FHBC AGM main page www.fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm/ or from in the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM.

All VOTING Form submissions are to be returned to info@fieldhockeybc.com by February 3, 2021.

 

Submission of an INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM (for those members NOT carrying votes via proxy)

For members wishing to attend the 2021 FHBC AGM and vote as an individual, FHBC has created an INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM that can be accessed from the FHBC website either at the FHBC AGM main page www.fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm/, or from the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ (under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM). INDIVIDUAL VOTER FORM SUBMISSION is required by a deadline date of February 3, 2021

All VOTING Form submissions are to be returned to info@fieldhockeybc.com by February 3, 2021.

 

Uploading Voting Information in advance of the 2021 FHBC AGM

Following receipt and processing of a Voting Form Submission, FHBC will upload all relevant detail into the voting software being utilized for the 2021 Virtual FHBC AGM and communicate thereafter to those carrying votes on how they can access the voting software and cast votes at the AGM.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us at info@fieldhockeybc.com should you have any questions regarding the 2021 FHBC AGM.

Yours in sport,

Margaret Johnson
Vice-President
Field Hockey BC
January 20, 2021

Interior Technical Development Program Registrations are Now Open!

Field Hockey BC is excited to announce a 6-week Technical Development program for Interior athletes from January 31st to March 7th. This program is open to athletes of all abilities and is intended to help athletes develop their technical skills. Both age groups will be coached by Ben Fecht & Dani Hennig. This program will primarily focus on acquiring skills for Passing and Receiving, focusing on key elements such as grip, ball position, preparation and execution.

This program will adhere to the current COVID-19 protocols as approved by the Provincial Health Officer, viaSport and Field Hockey BC. More information about our Responsible Return to Play Framework can be found on our website: https://fieldhockeybc.com/covid-19-response/. For more information on the Technical Development program, please access: https://fieldhockeybc.com/players/female-regional-technical-development-program/.

The deadline to register is Monday, January 25th.

IMPORTANT: registration is limited to maintain an athlete coach ratio of 8:1 and will be on a first come-first served basis.


REGISTER HERE

U16 Age Group (Born: 2005, 2006 & 2007)

Day/Time – Sundays, 12:15 – 1:30pm
Date Range – January 31st – March 7th
Cost – $98
Location – Capital News Centre, Kelowna, BC

U18 Age Group (Born: 2003 & 2004)

Day/Time Sundays – 1:45 – 3:00pm
Date Range – January 31st – March 7th
Cost – $98
Location – Capital News Centre, Kelowna, BC

*Interested Male Athletes, please email katie@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com
*Interested Goalkeepers, please email katie@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com prior to registering, as your program details may differ

2021 FHBC Annual General Meeting – Second Notice of 2021 AGM Calendar Timelines

You can access the PDF version of this document here.


Further to the first AGM notice circulation on December 21, 2020, FHBC is sending out a second of four planned community communiques in preparation for the upcoming VIRTUAL Field Hockey BC Annual General Meeting on February 10th, 2021 (6.30pm). This second notice draws particular attention to the deadline for the submission of Formal Motions ahead of the AGM and acts as a reminder of the deadline for submission of Nominations to the Board of Directors 

  • Deadline for Submission of Formal MotionsJanuary 18, 2021
  • Deadline for Submission of Nominations to the Board of Directors: January 18, 2021

Submission of Formal Motions 

FHBC has posted a Formal Motion Submission Form on the FHBC website that can be accessed from the FHBC AGM main page www.fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm/ or from the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM.  

To submit a Formal Motion, please complete a Formal Motion Submission Form (click here to download) and return the form by January 18, 2021 to info@fieldhockeybc.com.

FHBC Board of Director Nominations 

The following four FHBC Board of Director positions are up for election in 2021: 

  1. Vice-President 
  2. Domestic Director 
  3. Marketing Director 
  4. Athlete Program Director

FHBC has posted the terms of reference for each position above and the applicable nomination form in the General Meeting Documents section of the FHBC website www.fieldhockeybc.com/documents/ under the heading 2021 FHBC AGM. To nominate an individual for any of the Board of Director positions above, please complete a nomination form and return the form by January 18, 2021 to info@fieldhockeybc.com. 

In addition and as a polite reminder, the full calendar outline for the submission of information and documentation ahead of the virtual FHBC AGM is as follows: 

  • AGM Date: February 10, 2021 at 6.30pm  
  • Deadline for Submission of Nominations to the Board of DirectorsJanuary 18, 2021 
  • Deadline for Submission of Formal MotionsJanuary 18, 2021  
  • Release and Posting of Proxy Form Template: January 20, 2021 
  • Deadline for Submission of Proxy Form to FHBC: February 3, 2021 
  • Deadline to Register as an Individual Voter: February 3, 2021 
  • Deadline to Register Questions in advance of the AGM (Optional): February 5, 2021 
  • Virtual AGM Trial Run (Internal): February 8, 2021  

The timeline above recognizes the level of complexity required when considering a virtually hosted AGM and in particular sets realistic submission deadlines designed to enable FHBC to pre-load election, motion, and voting detail into the supporting technology. Once such detail has been pre-loaded sufficient time remains for FHBC to communicate with members (most specifically voting members) as to how such technology will be utilized both in advance of and at the AGM.   

FHBC intends to provide similar AGM updates/reminders scheduled for membership dissemination on January 20, 2021; and January 25, 2021. Each AGM update is intended to provide guidance as to due process ahead of pertinent calendar deadlines.  

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us at info@fieldhockeybc.com should you have any questions regarding the 2021 FHBC AGM.  

Yours in sport, 

Margaret Johnson
Vice-President
Field Hockey BC
January 4, 2021