Zone Recognition Awards
Zone Recognition Award Winners 2008
Zone 2a – LORNE BUNA
Lorne has been involved with field hockey at a school and regional level in the Okanagan Valley for as long as one can remember. Although recently retired from teaching, Lorne still continues to find ways to contribute to the development of the KSS school program as well as promote the Okanagan Valley as a host for field hockey opportunities and events. Lorne volunteered to be the Tournament Director for the 2007 U18 club championship program in Kelowna and followed this up more recently as the Sport Chair for the 2008 BC Summer Games, also in Kelowna. It is our pleasure to recognise Lorne’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Okanagan Valley.
Award presented by Madge Johnson to Lorne Buna.
Zone 2b – IAN GIBSON
Ian, very much like our previous award winner, has also been involved with field hockey at a school and regional level in the Okanagan Valley for as long as one can remember. The impact Ian has had on high school athletes in Oliver can be seen in standard and application of participating athels in school, club, provincial and national events held across BC. Ian continues to offer his time as a mentor and voice of reason and experience for our Regional Head Coach in the South Okanagan and a significant support base for BC programming. It is our pleasure to recognise tonight Ian’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Okanagan Valley.
Award presented by Madge Johnson to Dallas Plensky on behalf of Ian Gibson.
Zone 3b – NEIL MCLENNAN
Neil continues to play an integral part in the development and growth of the Falcons Field Hockey Club. Neil is a voluntary high school coach, a club coach, a junior administrator, club umpire, perennial zone selector and past regional and provincial BC coach. One need say no more; It is our pleasure to recognise Neil’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Fraser South.
Award presented by Cindy Sacre to Neil McLennan.
Zone 4 – JENNING NORTHGRAVES
Jenning is an umpire, a player, a coach, and an administrator. She coordinates umpiring slots for both the Tri City Eagles and for the Burnaby Women’s League. Not only does she fill these slots, she is constantly recruiting new umpires and then actively finding them game times to practice in and mentors to coach them. Jenning has spent a lot of time booking fields for regional trials and practices and has done so for a number of years. Quoting our BC Zone Representative, “We could not survive without Jenning’s help to continue to grow the interest on all levels in our zone”. It is our pleasure to recognise Jenning’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Fraser North.
Award presented by Deneen Asano to Jenning Northgraves.
Zone 5a – CHARLOTTE HADWEN
Charlotte has a lot of “youngest ever” accolades. Charlotte is a very devoted field hockey player, umpire and coach and has been playing, coaching and umpiring in the Vancouver Zone for over 5 years. Charlotte has just obtained her Regional rating for umpiring. She is always willing to umpire in the worst weather, at the worst times and at the fields’ farthest from her home.
She has been on a Regional team for the past 4 years and currently plays on the Hawks 1st Division team. However, her most appreciated volunteerism is through coaching. She started coaching with the Hawks Club at the U10 level and has really enjoyed the U14 level for the past two years. Charlotte has shown an aptitude for coaching. She has attended the NCCP coaching workshops and is the youngest person (in Eric Broom’s recollection) to obtain her Level 3 Theory. She is an inspiration to the young female players that she coaches. She is very responsible, organized and has inspired the players she comes into contact with to be the best that they can. It is our pleasure to recognise Charlotte’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in Vancouver.
Award presented by Anne Thompson to Charlotte Hadwen.
Zone 5b – SHERI SHEPARD
Sheri’s contributions to the West Vancouver Field Hockey Club this year have been outstanding as a representative on the Sports Council of West Vancouver- she has also been a driving force behind our turf field fundraising this year as well as the past 10 years! Sheri has committed 11 years to coaching within the Junior Club system and held the registrar position for the WVFHC junior club executive during the time that our club grew from 600 members to 1500 members. It is our pleasure to recognise Sheri’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey on the North Shore.
Award presented by Jane Kozniuk to Sheri Shepard.
Zone 6a – KRISTA THOMPSON
Krista Thompson is Field Hockey BC’s Regional Head Coach for Vancouver Island and a significant contributor to all levels of FHBC programming. In her capacity as Regional Head Coach, Krista contributes to development programming for all junior age groups, including mentorship assistance within the senior league program. Her tireless commitment and dedication go beyond the realms of merely coaching, as was shown in her administrative and planning role essential to the success of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament hosted in Victoria earlier this year. It is our pleasure to be able to recognise Krista’s contribution and the impact she has had on field hockey development in Victoria.
Award presented by Robin Richardson to Brian Groos on behalf of Krista Thompson.
Zone 6b – SUE FRASER
Sue personifies volunteerism for both club and zone. Sue steps in whenever an ask is made for assistance and not only singlehandedly runs the Cowichan junior program, but will also be seen coaching the U18 regional team this spring. In the words of Yvonne Anderson, “There are so many other things that she does that I can’t think of a more deserving person”. It is our pleasure to recognise Sue’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Mid-Island.
Award presented by Yvonne Anderson to Sue Fraser.
Zone Recognition Award Winners 2007:
Zone 1 – Liz Hamilton
Liz has been instrumental in building new field hockey initiatives in the Kootenays. In partnership with Meghan Johnstone, Liz is currently spearheading a field hockey BC subsidised community program offering opportunities to athletes, coaches and officials alike. This award expresses our thanks for her continued dedication to our sport.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Carolyn Gillespie (on behalf of Liz)
Zone 2a – David Scott
David has been involved with field hockey at a school and regional level in the Okanagan Valley for the last ten years. David has coached as part of the Regional Program since its inception and this year he has not only been a coach but has also managed and officiated in Field Hockey BC programs and events. It is our pleasure to recognise David’s ongoing contribution to the development of field hockey in the Okanagan Valley.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Carolyn Gillespie (on behalf of David)
Zone 3b – Oscar DeMello
2007 saw the construction of the new water based turf at Tamanawis Park. Congratulations must go to all invloved for their foresight and determination to see this facility become a reality. Field Hockey BC is extremely grateful to the Surrey Sharks Club for championing our cause and allowing the Association to gain access to this new facility. Our liaison for initial access and now historical time slots at the Tamanawis field is Oscar DeMello who has done an outstanding job. This award represents a thank you from Zone 3b and from Field Hockey BC for all the hard work over the past year.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Zone 3b Representative Cindy Sacre (on behalf of Oscar)
– (Paula Shuto)
It is fitting that Paula Shuto was also nominated for this award. Unfortunately there can only be one award winner. However, Paula continues to have a significant impact on the athletes she devotes her time to coach. She is near to completing her coaching of the U18 Merlins which she has coached for as long as one can remember. Paula is a great role model for the girls, a skilled player herself and extremely committed. Each year, all of her girls come back, a testament to the kind of coach she is.
Zone 4 – Judy Melton
Zone 4 would like to nominate Judy Melton. Judy has been involved with the junior program for a numbers of years now and has been and active coach, event volunteer, and most recently the junior coordinator for the Burnaby Field Hockey Club. She has been an integral part of keeping the junior girls program running for the last four years.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Judy
Zone 5a – Tyla Flexman
Tyla has always been a leader whether as a player or part of a team. She always works hard and is always committed to learning so she can improve. She has given numerous hours this year in situations where a coach was unable to attend a zone practice or when a regional coach was absent. Despite her busy university schedule as well as her own field hockey commitments, she makes time to give back to field hockey in return for all that she has been given. She is always positive and encouraging to the players and takes time to get to know each individual child. It is clear that Tyla loves field hockey and her love of the game is contagious to all the young players she works with. Thanks, Tyla for your willingness to give so much of your busy life to supporting our junior players.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Tyla
Zone 5b – Sheri Shepard
Zone 5B would like to nominate Sheri Shepard for the 2007 Zone Award. Sheri has committed 10 years to coaching within the Junior Club system; she has held the registrar position for our WVFHC junior club executive during the time that our club grew from 600 members to 1500 members. She has most recently held the Junior Boys Chair position and is actively involved in the fund raising campaign for the artificial turf.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Ian Baggott (on behalf of Sheri)
Zone 6a – Robin Richardson
He is a wonderful committee member who has been the primary link between U.Vic and Field Hockey Victoria. He has been President of the Men’s League, Field Hockey Victoria and Co-Chair of the Junior league. On field hockey’s behalf Robin is currently a Pacific Sport Victoria trustee has been part of the team instrumental in bringing the Olympic Qualifier to Victoria next year. Robin was a leader in negotiaiting and fund-raising for the new turf at U-Vic and continues to lead initiatives to further field hockey opportunities in Victoria and across the province.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Alison Sweeten (on behalf of Robin)
Zone 6b – Cheryl McCreary
Zone 6B would like to nominate Cheryl McCreary for her service to the zone/region in numerous capacities. She has recently stepped down as the VILFHA treasurer, but continues as our club treasurer. I’m sure the list is too numerous to write at this time, but she is always keen to assist in any capacity and can be counted on to follow through. I conferred with Sue Fraser, last year’s recipient, and she definitely agreed that Cheryl would be the most likely candidate.
Award presented by Dallas Plensky to Yvonne Anderson (on behalf of Cheryl)