April 2023

Dear Field Hockey BC Members, this is a reminder that the application deadline for the following three Bursary Programs is this Wednesday, April 26th:

• The Dr. Christine Grant Coaching Professional Development Bursary
• The Jenny John Officiating Professional Development Bursary
• The Allyn Murison Grassroots Bursary

The application deadline for the Barb Hart Harris Athlete Assistance Bursary is May 8th.

Pat Hall Officials Development Award: In addition to the multiple Bursary windows now open and referenced above, a polite reminder to Vancouver Island Officials in particular that the Pat Hall Official Development Award within the FHBC Foundation remains open for applications year round (until funds are exhausted for the year).

Read more here.

Field Hockey Canada and Field Hockey BC are running two Umpire Assessors Courses. The first course will take place this weekend in Vancouver; registration closes on Thursday, April 27th.

Course 1 - Vancouver

April 29th – 9am-12pm & 1-3:30pm @ Eric Hamber

April 30th- 11:30am-2pm @ Eric Hamber

Course Conductors: Lelia Sacre & TBC

Fee: $82.20 (FHBC course fee $70 + FHC official fee & RAMP fee)

Registration Deadline: April 27th

Course 2 - Surrey

May 27th @ 9am-12pm & 1-3:30pm @ FHBC Office

May 28th @ 10am-12pm @ Tamanawis

Course Conductors: Lelia Sacre and TBC

Fee: $82.20 (FHBC course fee $70 + FHC official fee & RAMP fee)

Registration Deadline: May 24th

Assessors course eligibility: must be 19+, have 5 years+ umpiring experience at minimum provincial level and hold a current certification (exceptions will be made on a case by case basis).

For any inquiries regarding the courses, please contact Hailey Yhap at hyhap@fieldhockey.ca.

To register, follow the instructions here.

We would like to bring to your attention an online tool provided by viaSport to assist you in decision making around behaviour that may have crossed the line.

This is available at any time to help evaluate behaviour and to get guidance on how to respond. The “Flag Tool for Sport” is a quick reference guide and not meant to be exhaustive or replace legal advice.

Please share this with your teammates, organizers, officials, parents and other sport participants. Try the tool today here.

The annual Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Associations (VILFHA) awards returned after a two-year pandemic hiatus and a successful season was played for 2022-23.

The VILFHA executive and team representatives are pleased to announce this year’s award winners highlighted by Rebels Patriots midfielder Katie Bennett being named the league’s Most Outstanding Player and Hibbert Trophy winner.

Division MVPs included Patriots’ Lindsay Cole (Division 1), both Sarah Mastromonaco of the Sailors and Lisa Rempel of the Rogues (Division 2) and both Renegades’ Julie Williams and Lynx 3’s Caitlin Hastings (Division 3). The Trelawney Shield for the Top Junior Player is awarded to the Lynx 1’s Rebecca Stone, while the Foley Shield for Most Improved Umpire is awarded to Cowichan’s Brooke Wipplinger.

In addition, the prestigious Christine Trophy for service, ability and sportsmanship was awarded to long-time member of the Pirates, Erica Kjekstad.

Read the full article here.

Our National Junior Teams did well this week in Barbados at the Junior Pan American Championships, and both Men and Women guaranteed a spot in the Junior World Cups later this year! The men got a silver medal after losing the final to Argentina; the women finished in fourth place.

Congrats and thanks to all the staff that supported the Junior Teams, the Canadian officials at the tournament and the players who did a great job! Shout out to BC goalie Armaan Bagri, India Field Hockey Club 1932 player, and Kayla Desormeau, both named GKs of the tournament.

📷 Rodrigo Jaramillo (PAHF)

KidSport

KidSport provides financial assistance for children 18 and younger from families facing financial obstacles to participate in organized sport #SoALLKidsCanPlay. Visit kidsport.ca and find your local Chapter for details on eligibility and how to help this project.

In 2021, the KidSport BC program distributed $1.3 million in funding to help 4,164 children participate in 45 different sports in 132 communities across the province, including field hockey participants. Help support KidSport and, if you are in need of assistance, reach out to your local Chapter!