Author Archives: Communications Coordinator

The Junior Women’s National Team needs your assistance! Donate and help them make it to the Junior World Cup

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Photo Credit: Rodrigo Jaramillo – WorldSportpics

After winning the Junior Pan American Championships’ gold medal in 2021, the Junior Women’s National Team is now set to go to South Africa to play the Women’s Junior World Cup this April. The team is largely self-funded and dependent on funding sources from sponsors and donors, which means that families have to make a major financial commitment for athletes to attend the tournament.

Several team members from British Columbia are in need of assistance with travel costs. On behalf of the BC athletes selected to this milestone, FHBC is reaching out to the broader BC community to ask for consideration of donations to assist their journey and indeed performance in South Africa!

Each athlete has a direct donations portal allowing for donations to go directly to BC Athletes. Each athletes donation portal can be accessed via the links below:

Allison Kuzyk – Click Here

Arden Goddard-Despot – Click Here

Birkley Anderson – Click Here

Jenna Goodman – Click Here

Julia Ross – Click Here

Ishaval Sekhon – Click Here

Izzy Fraser – Click Here

Lonica McKinney – Click Here

McKinley Kennedy – Click Here

Mikayla Stelling – Click Here

Nora Goddard-Despot – Click Here

Stefanie Sajko – Click Here

Tayler Guy – Click Here

To read more about the team, the 2022 Junior World Cup and the fundraiser initiative, and to donate to the overall team, please access the Team Donation page here.

Systemic National Coach and Official Certification Pathways – FHBC Strategic Investment and Support 2022

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You can access the PDF version of this communique here.

Further to FHBC Communications circulated in October and November 2021 regarding FHBC’s investment initiative in formal NCCP Coach Education for BC Members, FHBC is delighted to announce an extension to such an investment initiative to include further subsidies for formal NCCP Coach Education and complete cost coverage for all levels of formal Umpire Education. All Umpire Certification Courses to the end of the current season and fiscal year (to August 31, 2022) will be offered FREE OF CHARGE to BC Members.

As a reminder, FHBC is supporting for the remainder of the 2021-22 season the following initiatives towards both formal coach education through the NCCP pathway, as well as towards umpire education through the National Umpire Certification Program. Extensions to this initiative are highlighted below:

  1. NCCP Safe Sport Context:
    • For FHBC to continue to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Coaches accessing Safe Sport NCCP Making Ethical Decisions workshop (approximately $75 per coach candidate).
  1. NCCP Community Coach Context:
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Coaches accessing NCCP Community Initiation Online Course ($15 per coach candidate).
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Coaches accessing NCCP Community Coach Course – Technical Online Workshop ($50 per coach candidate).
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Coaches accessing NCCP Fundamental Movement Skills Course – Practical Workshop ($70 per coach candidate).
  1. Competition Coach Context:
    • For FHBC to subsidize 100% of the costs associated with FHBC Provincial Program Coaches accessing NCCP Competition Introduction Online Module/Course Curricula (Full Stream cost approximately $600 per coach candidate – Modular costs range from $20-$250 per Module).
    • For FHBC to subsidize 100% of the costs associated with FHBC Provincial and Regional Program Coaches accessing NCCP Competition Development Online Module/Course Curricula (Full Stream cost approximately $1800 per coach candidate – Modular costs range from $90-$200 per Module).
  1. 4. Community Umpiring Course
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Umpires accessing the Community Umpiring Online Course ($25 per umpire candidate).
  1. 5. Provincial Umpiring Course
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Umpires accessing the Provincial Umpiring Course ($60 per umpire candidate).
  1. 6. Regional Umpiring Course
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Umpires accessing the Provincial Umpiring Course ($80 per umpire candidate).
  1. 5. Umpire Assessors Course
    • For FHBC to subsidize in full the costs associated with FHBC Member Umpires accessing the Umpire Assessors Course ($55 per umpire candidate).

As the field hockey community looks towards 2022 Spring and Summer season delivery, FHBC encourages all BC Member Coaches and Umpires to take full advantage of this investment initiative opportunity. Should BC Member Coaches, Umpires, and/or Community Leads within the Club or League structure require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to FHBC for assistance.

For more information on the NCCP or Umpire Pathways please visit the FHBC website at https://fieldhockeybc.com/coaches/coaching-education/nccp-pathway/ and https://fieldhockeybc.com/officials/umpire-certification/ respectively. Alternatively, BC Members can reach out directly to FHBC’s Sport Development Manager, Katie Jameson, via phone (778) 227-0895 or via e-mail at katie@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
March 16, 2022

Job Re-Posting – Events and Officials Coordinator

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The position of Events and Officials Coordinator is designed to provide logistical support in line with the operational requirements of the annual Field Hockey BC event calendar and event based officiating calendar, the officials development pathway and the delivery of the Officials Professional Development and Certification Program, as well as, the oversight for facility bookings and equipment provision to Field Hockey BC programming. The Events and Officials Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination of each of the areas outlined within this job description and will report as a staff member of the Society to the Executive Director.

Previous experience within sports administration is an advantage but not essential for application. This position lends itself to individuals who are looking to embark on a career within sport and leisure or for those who are already actively involved within the sporting community. Field Hockey BC will require applicants to gain appropriate criminal records clearance and the Society also requires the submission of at least two job related references. Job related references can be submitted upon application or following a successful invitation to attend interview. Only those applicants invited to attend interview will be contacted following the application deadline.

Deadline for applications: April 3, 2022
Job to commence from: April 11, 2022

Access the full Job Description and see how to apply here.

Apply for the FHBC Foundation’s Bursaries & the Pat Hall Officials Development Award

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FHBC is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the following bursaries:

  • Coaching Professional Development Bursary
  • Jenny John Officiating Professional Development Bursary
  • Allyn Murison Grassroots Bursary

Application deadline is April 29th, 2022, and recipients will be announced in May.

These bursaries are designed to contribute towards an individual’s professional development in the sport of Field Hockey and to to support female athletes under the age of 12 to access field hockey programming. The Coaching and Officiating bursaries are open to all levels of coaches and officials, with officiating including both umpires and technical officials.

Pat Hall Officials Development Award: 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.

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IMPORTANT: applicants for all three bursaries and award must be a 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.

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.