Category Archives: Uncategorized

2023 Vancouver International Tournament (VIT)

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Once again, we had a great VIT this year, with lots of fun! Thank you to all the teams that participated and the officials and vendors who helped make this event an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Divisional Winners – Women’s Masters Division

1st – Hopeful Olympians

2nd – PanAm Roja

3rd – PanAm Blanca

Divisional Winners – Mixed Social Division

1st – Kozmopolitan

2nd – Victoria Rebels

3rd – Wizards of Booze / Okanagan

Divisional Winners – Women’s Social Division

1st – South Okanagan

2nd – Tri-City Eagles

3rd – Incredibelles

Spirit of Judy Broom Award

Spoon Squad

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.

COVID-19 Response: PHO Order Revision – Youth Sport Supervisors Protocol (PROOF OF VACCINATION)

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You can download the PDF version of this communique here.

Dear Field Hockey Members,

Following a latest update to the PHO Gathering and Events Order (Proof of Vaccination) and subsequent confirmation from viaSport BC, I am writing to confirm that the previous Proof of Vaccination exemption for those charged with supervising YOUTH field hockey programming (programming for those Under 22 years of age) has now been removed. Youth field hockey program coaches, managers, and volunteers (those who have active supervisory interaction with Youth field hockey program participants) are now required to show proof of FULL (Double) Vaccination for both indoor and outdoor field hockey activity.

Unless the facility being utilized and/or hired is directly monitoring Proof of Vaccination, Local Sport Organizations (LSO’s) are responsible for checking that all field hockey program coaches, managers, and volunteers supporting Youth programming now have FULL (Double) Proof of Vaccination. Whilst it is likely that many of those charged with a supervisory role within Youth field hockey are classified as Adults under the PHO Order, it has yet to be clarified whether Youth supervisors between the ages of 12 and 22 will be required to show FULL (Double) Proof of Vaccination. FHBC expects to receive the necessary clarification within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, Local Sport Organizations (LSO’s) should consider it a responsible step to have all Youth supervisors over the age of 12 show FULL (Double) Proof of Vaccination.

For those Youth field hockey programs involving field of play officials (umpires), it may now also be necessary to these officials to be required to show FULL (Double) Proof of Vaccination. Clarification on the intent of the PHO Order revision in this case is also pending and expected to be received over the course of the next 24 hours.

The PHO Gathering and Events Order revision (Proof of Vaccination) can be accessed here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf

For more information regarding Field Hockey’s COVID-19 response, please refer to the Field Hockey BC website at: https://fieldhockeybc.com/covid-19-response/. Further reference material can also be found on the viaSport BC website at https://www.viasport.ca/return-sport.

Yours in sport,

Mark Saunders
Executive Director
Field Hockey BC
October 26, 2021

FHBC Board of Directors – Community Recruitment Notice: Vacant Position of Vice-President

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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 is an exciting opportunity for an individual to apply for consideration to become a voluntary member of the FHBC Board of Directors. The Board Member vacancy is in the position of Vice-President, a position that provides Board leadership in the following areas:

  • Act as Board Nominations Chair
  • Act as Constitution, Bylaw, and Policy and Procedure Revisions Chair
  • Act as Board Records and Membership Meetings Chair (Notices and Meeting Records)
  • Act as the FHBC Discipline Chair

The FHBC Board of Directors is keen to consider the appointment of a Vice-President to take on the reins for this portfolio for the remainder of the current term (to February 2023 when this position is next due for election).

I would very much 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 michellemcnaughton@fieldhockeybc.com with the title “Vice-President” by a deadline date of October 10, 2021.

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 this portfolio forward.

Yours in sport,

Denise McGeachy
President
Field Hockey BC
September 13, 2021

The Vancouver International Tournament (VIT) is regrettably CANCELLED for 2020

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As the Organized Sport Sector in BC responds to the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, many municipalities are closing their facilities and today saw the City of Burnaby announce the closure of all facilities through May 31, 2020. We continue to look forward to a responsible return to play and to again organizing the VIT for 2021.

If you have any inquiries, please contact Rahim Walli, Events and Officials Coordinator (604-737-3146 or eventsandofficials@fieldhockeybc.com)

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Consideration and Planning (March 20, 2020)

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You can access the PDF version of this document here.

As the Organized Sport Sector in BC responds to the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, Field Hockey BC continues to monitor the potential impact to our team sport environment. Given the growing and unprecedented uncertainty surrounding this health pandemic, Field Hockey BC is directing all members and affiliated clubs and associations to suspend all sanctioned field hockey activities in the province until further notice.

This decision will be monitored daily and reviewed on a week to week basis by the Field Hockey BC Board of Directors, with the expectation that a next suspension update will be posted early in April. As new information is received from both Federal and Provincial Government agencies, Field Hockey BC will provide appropriate program and service updates that we hope over time will include a responsible and gradual return to play. Field Hockey BC cannot emphasize enough that the health and safety of all participants in the field hockey community in BC is of the utmost importance and is central to any decision-making process.

To ensure the health and safety of the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans in BC, Field Hockey BC recommends that all affiliated Leagues, Clubs, and Associations communicate to their members that they will cease all sanctioned field hockey operations immediately and until further notice. Field Hockey BC sanctioned field hockey activities include, but are not limited to, all indoor and outdoor competitions, leagues, training, practices, matches, in-person coach and official education, and formalized club group activities. The intent of this suspension is to limit situations of physical contact.

Whilst the entire Field Hockey Community in BC continues to work hard on contingency planning for the possibility that restrictions may be lifted over time, please stay patient as we collectively consider ongoing environmental implications. Field Hockey BC’s operational continuity plan is for Society staff to work remotely and all staff are equipped to continue their daily functions. Electronic media will be utilized to maintain lines of communication, with community members able to connect via phone and/or email in the normal way.

Field Hockey BC thanks you for your patience as we do our part to support all of the unprecedented steps taking place to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information by visiting the BC Government website and the Ministry of Health website. Our thoughts are with all of you and your families during this challenging time.

FHBC BOD, March 20, 2020

Vancouver International Field Hockey Development Camp in May

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Sea to Sky Field Hockey Club invites all female field hockey players aged 14-18 from across Canada to join the first Vancouver International Field Hockey Development Camp. This camp is open to all skill levels and will provide world class coaching to players over three days of intense drills, skill development, and games.

Date: Saturday, May 16​th​ to Monday, May 18​th​ from 9 am – 5 pm each day.
Location: Rutledge Field, West Vancouver

Registration fee is $450 CAN for the three-day camp, which includes training, games, learning sessions, snacks & drinks. Register early, space is limited.

Click here for more information

FHC Masters 55+ Team looking for players for the Masters World Cup in South Africa

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The much anticipated 2020 Masters World Cup is just around the corner! The Canadian Men’s 55+ age group is now beginning its talent identification process which will take place from April 10-12 in Vancouver. Please sign up as soon as possible so that you can be considered to be chosen for this amazing event! Important deadlines include:

  • Nomination of Names and deposit deadlines:  February 22, 2020
  • Master World Cup: Sep 19 to Sep 28, 2020, Cape Town, South Africa.

Please circulate this around to everyone that you know might be keen to be part of this team and they can contact Preet Sidhu, FHC Masters 55 + Team Manager, via email at preetsid@hotmail.com.

Register for the U18 and U15 Interior Girls Regional trials

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Registration is now open for Regional Trials for the U18 and U15 Interior Girls (Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Nelson, Trail, Penticton and surrounding areas).

To register, go to www.fieldhockeybc.ca/fhbc/regionals.php.
Deadline for registering is January 8, at noon.

Who is this for and what do I need to know?

  • Female U18 (2002-2004) and U15 (2005-2007) athletes who live or attend school in the Interior Region (Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Nelson, Trail, Penticton and surrounding areas)
  • $10 (non-refundable) paid online
  • Deadline to register is 12pm on Wednesday, January 8. No exceptions!
  • Trial takes place Sunday, January 12 at Kelowna CNC (Indoor) @11:45am
  • Training begins January 19 – see current Training Schedule (subject to change)
  • See the U18 Program Overview and the U15 Program Overview for more details on the 2019-20 U18 and U15 Interior Girls Regional Program

Fitness & Selection

On-field skills will be assessed at the trial on November 3rd. Fitness (yo-yo test) will be assessed the following weekend at the Richmond Olympic Oval. If you have never done a Yo-Yo test before, don’t worry! Our coaches are there to explain and demonstrate a Yo-Yo test to everyone.

What is the Yo-Yo Test? Read the Fitness Protocol
What score do I need to achieve? Read the Fitness Policy
For additional information regarding evaluations and selections: Read the Selection Process

Everything you need to know about trials, selections, and training can be found here

Questions? Contact the Athlete Program Manager.