Monthly Archives: February 2022

2022 Club Championship and Festival Program – Program Outline and Call for Club Hosting Assistance

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Further to information circulated to Club Contacts in November and December 2021, Field Hockey BC is following up on behalf of the FHBC Club Championship Review Working Group (CCRWG) to both confirm the intent for Club Championship Programming in 2022, as well as to request expressions of interest from Community Clubs able and willing to support the HOSTING of the 2022 Club Championship Program. The CCRWG is pleased to announce and now confirm the following Club Championship Schedule for 2022:

Age Group Venue Host(s) Dates (2022)
Under 18 Girls Tier 1 Tamanawis Park India Club + TBD May 27 (Eve), 28, 29
Under 18 Girls Tier 2 Tamanawis Park India Club + TBD May 27 (Eve), 28, 29
Under 18 Boys Rutledge Field WVFHC + TBD June 3 (Eve), 4, 5
Under 16 Girls Tier 1 UBC V Hawks + TBD June 17 (Eve), 18, 19
Under 16 Girls Tier 2 UBC V Hawks + TBD June 17 (Eve), 18, 19
Under 16 Boys Rutledge Field WVFHC + TBD June 11, 12
Under 14 Girls Tier 1 Island (U-Vic) VIJFHA + TBD June 10 (Eve), 11, 12
Under 14 Girls Tier 2 Island (U-Vic) VIJFHA + TBD June 10 (Eve), 11, 12
Under 14 Boys Rutledge Field WVFHC + TBD June 18, 19
Under 12 Festival Burnaby Lake TBD + TBD June 4, 5

In November 2021, FHBC circulated a 2022 Club Championship Stakeholder Memo to all Club Contacts which included a summary of the role and responsibility of the CCRWG and the principal elements for consideration within Club Championship Program execution. This Stakeholder Memo is again included as a frame of reference to this Community Communique and can be accessed at the following link:

https://fieldhockeybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2021-FHBC-Club-Championship-Review-Working-Group-Memo-to-Community-Stakeholders-November-25-2021.pdf

In announcing the 2022 Club Championship schedule and as can be referenced from the table above, FHBC and the CCRWG is requesting further consideration from Community Clubs in the willingness and ability to assist Program delivery in the creation of a CLUB CO-HOSTING ROLE in support of each event. To date, each Under 14 through Under 18 Championship in 2022 has a single CLUB HOST already secured and the ask as it was in November 2021 is again for additional support from a second Community Club to Co-Host in each case. In the case of the Under 12 Festival there is still the need for two Club Hosts to take on a Co-Hosting role. Club Hosts would be required to support the following for any Club Championship Division or Tier:

  • Facility Set-Up and Take-Down Support
  • Technical Officiating Support (Match Management, Timing and Score Keeping)
  • Game Day Officials Support and Coordination
  • Game Day Team Support and Coordination
  • Coordination of Presentations
  • Submission of Results (for FHBC Posting)
  • Submission of Expense Receipts to FHBC (as may be eligible)

For more information and for a Club Championship Host Guideline example, please refer to the following Program link on the FHBC Website:  https://fieldhockeybc.com/events/club-championships/

For any Community Club wishing to return an expression of interest in supporting the 2022 Club Championship Program as a CLUB HOST, please return an e-mail with Club Contact/Follow-Up Detail to info@fieldhockeybc.com by March 21, 2022. FHBC and the CCRWG thank all Community Clubs and Community Club Contacts in advance for their due consideration.

FHBC looks forward to releasing specific Team Registration Information for the 2022 Club Championship Program at the end of March 2022. FHBC also hopes to be announcing at the same juncture a full Club Championship and Festival Hosting Commitment for 2022.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
February 28, 2022

Umpiring and Coaching Education Opportunities

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Provincial Umpire Course

Ahead of the start of the Junior Leagues in both Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland, Field Hockey BC is planning on running a Provincial Umpire Course in March. We encourage all interested umpires to fill out the Waitlist Form so FHBC can plan the delivery of the course accordingly.

Access the Waitlist Form at https://fieldhockeybc.com/waitlist-form/

About the Pronvicial Course: Provincial Courses are $60 for FHBC members and $85 for non-members or members who are not registered for the current season. Courses are two sessions of 3 hours, including theory and exam. Participants are required to attend both sessions to be eligible to write the exam. Candidates must be a minimum of 13 years by the end of the calendar year to register.

NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport

Field Hockey BC is offering the opportunity for registered members to access the Coach Initiation in Sport course for free. To do so, please contact Katie Jameson, Athlete Program and Sport Development Manager, via katie@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com.

This is a eLearning course that introduces new or experienced coaches to the foundational skills of coaching, such as long-term athlete development, ethics, motivation, and athlete safety and wellness. It also teaches the key coaching concepts and educational tools that are the foundation of the NCCP.

The course takes about 60 minutes to complete and is a pre-requisite for the FHC Community Coaching course.

COVID-19 Response: Organized Sport Sector now able to return to Tournament and Event delivery

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Dear Field Hockey BC Members,

Following this week’s very welcome Provincial Health Office (PHO) announcement allowing for the BC Organized Sport Sector to return to Tournament and Event delivery, Field Hockey BC (FHBC) is pleased to announce that planning for tournament and event delivery through the Society will continue in earnest ahead of the 2022 Spring and Summer season. The following Tournament and Event list represents the Society’s ongoing planning and preparation commitment:

2022 Tournament and Event Calendar Schedule (March-August 2022)

  • Regional Female U18/U16 Talent Identification Camp (Vancouver Island) – March 1 – March 15 (select weeknights)
  • Regional Female U18 Talent Identification Camp (Mainland) – March 18-20
  • Regional Female U16 Talent Identification Camp (Mainland) – March 25-27
  • Regional Female U18/U16 Talent Identification Camp (Interior) – April 13 & 27
  • Provincial Female U18 Talent Identification and Selection Camp (Centralized – Mainland) – April 15-17
  • Provincial Male U18 Talent Identification and Selection Camp (Centralized – Mainland) – April 15-17
  • Provincial Female U16 Talent Identification and Selection Camp (Centralized – Mainland) – May 21-23
  • Provincial Male U16 Talent Identification and Selection Camp (Centralized – Mainland) – May 21-23
  • Vancouver International Tournament (VIT) – May 21-23
  • U18 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 1 – Surrey) – May 27-29
  • U18 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 2 – Surrey) – May 27-29
  • U18 Male BC Club Championship (West Vancouver) – June 3-5
  • U12 Female and Male BC Club Festival (Burnaby) – June 4-5
  • U16 Male BC Club Championship (West Vancouver) – June 11-12
  • U14 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 1 – Victoria) – June 10-12
  • U14 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 2 – Victoria) – June 10-12
  • U14 Male BC Club Championship (West Vancouver) – June 18-19
  • U16 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 1 – UBC) – June 17-19
  • U16 Female BC Club Championship (Tier 2 – UBC) – June 17-19
  • U18 Female National Championship (Surrey) – July 29-August 3
  • U18 Male National Championship (Surrey) – July 29-August 3
  • U16 Female National Championship (Surrey) – August 9-14
  • U16 Male National Championship (Surrey) – August 9-14

FHBC in partnership with both the BC Club Community and Field Hockey Canada very much look forward to a return to what we hope will be a full Spring and Summer Tournament and Event schedule. Information relative to the events listed above will continue to be posted on the FHBC website and disseminated to members and club contacts alike. Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the FHBC Staff team who will be happy to assist.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
February 17, 2022

In Memoriam – Henry Thompson

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It is with sadness that Field Hockey BC informs our community of the passing of Henry Thompson at the age of 95 on February 9, 2022. Born in Calcutta, India, on the 25th of June, 1926, Thompson was a former Canadian National umpire and regularly officiated in Vancouver Men’s League and tournaments from the 1960’s through the 1980’s.

“Henry was known as one of the real characters of local hockey”, says Alan Waterman, retired FIH Umpire and Thompson’s umpiring colleague over the years in British Columbia. “I first met him when I began umpiring in the ‘70’s. He was already well established by that time. We went to numerous National Championships, BC Summer Games, and untold numbers of local tournaments, from annual provincial senior tournaments in West Van to every level of junior competitions.”

According to Waterman, in those days it was common for umpires to take on around 150 matches a year. “Henry was always the comic. The big smile, the impish laugh, the inevitable bad jokes. The hockey family loved him, on and off the field.”

Before moving to Canada, Thompson was a professional hockey player in Calcutta. As his niece, Thereza, recalls, he once “scored in just 7 seconds – from bully-off to goal!”. “He and his brothers played for rival professional teams, so you can imagine what that led to… each of them in turns would tell the stories of their glory days, trying to outstrip each other”.

Sadly, Thereza passed along that Thompson’s younger brother also recently passed away. “As fate would have it, his younger brother died the day after he did – on February 10. Perhaps they are playing hockey wherever they are now.”

Our condolences to the family. Rest in peace.

FHBC Board of Directors – Vacant Positions of Domestic Director & Athlete Program Director

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Dear Field Hockey BC Members,

On behalf of the Field Hockey BC (FHBC) Board of Directors, I am writing to inform BC stakeholders that there are exciting opportunities for individuals to apply for consideration to become a voluntary member of the FHBC Board of Directors. The Board Member vacancies are in the positions of:

  • Domestic Director (see Duties of Officer for this position here)
  • Athlete Program Director (see Duties of Officer for this position here)

The FHBC Board of Directors is keen to consider the appointment of both positions to take on the reins for these portfolios for the remainder of the current term (to February 2023, when these positions are next due for election).

I would like to invite anyone interested in this role to return an expression of interest via e-mail to the Acting FHBC Board Nominations Chair at info@fieldhockeybc.com with the title “Expression of Interest – Domestic Director” or “Expression of Interest – Athlete Program Director” by a deadline date of March 7, 2022.

Such an expression of interest should include a brief statement as to your motivation for consideration, your background, qualifications and/or experience and what excites you about this opportunity. I very much thank you for your due consideration and assistance in moving each respective portfolio forward.

Yours in sport,

Denise McGeachy
President
Field Hockey BC
February 11, 2022

Field Hockey Canada’s Targeted Athlete Program (TAP) Announcement

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You can download the PDF version of this communique here.

Following the recent announcement that Field Hockey Canada (FHC) will be launching a new Targeted Athlete Program (TAP), this Community Communique is sent on behalf of the FHBC Board of Directors to reinforce FHBC’s commitment to support BC athletes as they move through the athlete pathway. FHBC remains committed to supporting BC athlete choices within athlete programming and FHBC will remain flexible in the ability to support athlete movement between PSO and NSO programming in this case, even if that means an athletes educated choice is to exit FHBC athlete programming completely.

FHBC currently has joint commitments with FHC to continue to partner in the delivery of performance stream programming for BC athletes throughout the remainder of the current season and into the Fall 2022. As this new FHC TAP program becomes better understood and is unveiled as a pilot program within the BC Lower Mainland in the coming weeks, FHBC will work with FHC to assist in the education and awareness for BC stakeholders. To this end, if any BC stakeholder or athlete wishes to find out more information, they can connect directly with the FHC TAP Program Lead, Jenn Beagan at jbeagan@fieldhockey.ca or reach out to FHBC Staff at sportdevelopment@fieldhockeybc.com or info@fieldhockeybc.com and FHBC can help facilitate your enquiry.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
February 10, 2022

Field Hockey Canada looking for players for the Masters World Cups in 2022

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FHC is looking for outdoor field hockey masters athletes aged 40 to 54 (born Jan 1, 1968 to Dec 31, 1982) to represent Canada in the Masters World Cup in 2022.

Please click on the link below to fill out a form to confirm commitment to the program:
https://forms.gle/SuEZKAWticiYXHov8

DEADLINE: Noon PST, Thursday Feb 10FHC Age Group Coordinators Contact Info:Over 40 – Christine ParkerOver 50 – Cara Jay and Heather WheatleyOver 55+ – Alanna Martin

Sixth Notice of 2022 AGM Proceedings

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Further to the previous five AGM notice circulations, FHBC is sending out the sixth planned community communique in advance of the upcoming VIRTUAL Field Hockey BC Annual General Meeting on February 9th, 2022 (6.30pm). This sixth notice draws particular attention to the video conference platform link to enable members to gain access to the 2022 FHBC AGM.

The following video conference link will allow access to the 2022 FHBC AGM, noting that attendees will be held in a waiting room until the published start of the AGM at 6.30pm PST on February 9, 2022:

Topic: 2022 FHBC Annual General Meeting
Time: Feb 9, 2022 06:30 PM Vancouver

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85214262680?pwd=SC9QSFFXWVd1ZVZzVWkxd1RLZVQ3dz09

Meeting ID: 852 1426 2680
Passcode: 839310

One tap mobile
+16475580588,,85214262680#,,,,*839310# Canada
+17789072071,,85214262680#,,,,*839310# Canada

This notice also acts as a reminder for those members who have registered to vote at the 2022 FHBC AGM. All Registered Voters have been loaded into the virtual voting software being utilized for the 2022 FHBC AGM and each voting member will receive a personal e-mail communication as to how they will be able to access the voting software and the 2022 FHBC AGM voting ballot.

FHBC looks forward to welcoming you to the virtual 2022 AGM on the evening of February 9, 2022. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us at info@fieldhockeybc.com should you have any questions regarding the 2022 FHBC AGM.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
February 7, 2022

Fifth Notice of 2022 AGM Proceedings

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Further to the previous four AGM notice circulations, FHBC is sending out the fifth planned community communique in advance of the upcoming VIRTUAL Field Hockey BC Annual General Meeting on February 9th, 2022 (6.30pm). This fifth notice draws particular attention to the posting of the AGM Package which includes all pertinent information pertaining to the 2022 AGM.

The AGM Package can be viewed ad/or downloaded from the FHBC AGM webpage or via the Documents section of the FHBC website.

The AGM Package includes the following documentation:
    • Meeting Agenda
    • Minutes from the last AGM (February 10, 2021)
    • Notice of Motions (also posted as a separate document)
    • Notice of Board of Director Elections
    • Reports from the President and Executive Director
    • Board Executive Reports
    • Audited Financial Statement to August 31, 2021 (also posted as a separate document)
This notice also provides the opportunity to announce that the FHBC Board of Directors has sanctioned the circulation of an Executive Summary pertaining to the recently completed Field Hockey BC Organizational Review Project. This Executive Summary is posted as a separate document on both the FHBC AGM Organizational Web Page as well as within the Documents section of the FHBC Website (both web links as previously noted above).

FHBC looks forward to welcoming you to the virtual 2022 AGM on the evening of February 9, 2022. A further notice as to how members can access the virtual 2022 AGM will be circulated on February 7, 2022. 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 2022 FHBC AGM.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
February 3, 2022