While 2020 marks an unprecedented year with seemingly little in the island hockey world to celebrate, there is one bright spot worth highlighting. Long-time hockey contributor and umpire David Auld has announced his retirement.

“It is my great honour to congratulate David on his retirement from umpiring,” said Denise McGeachy, past president of VILFHA (ladies league) and current president VIFHUA (umpire’s association). “His dedication to our game has few equals. David always brought a positive attitude to each game and treated all players respect. The umpiring community is richer for his contribution, as an umpire and mentor.

“Apart from the umpiring, David is one of the sweetest, kindest people I’ve ever known. David always had a smile on his face at the beginning – and more importantly, at the end of each game no matter how difficult or bad the weather. To me, this is his greatest legacy to our community – his positivity.”

Auld has been umpiring in Victoria since his arrival from Scotland in 1969 and was certified as high as a Canadian Regional level official. A familiar, smiling face on the field, David is well known for his time spent officiating at the high school, men’s league and, most notably, women’s league games. In 2008, David was named a VILFHA Honorary Member, awarded to only 19 individuals since 1958, for their dedication, service and commitment to building the ladies league.

It was only by chance that Auld happened upon the sport of field hockey, which came to be the good fortune for Field Hockey Victoria. While attending the Jordanhill College of Education, in Scotland, Auld intended to pursue the sport of rugby, while the Director of Education at the college had another suggestion.

“I was told, ‘Auld why don’t you try the sissy’s game’ – grass hockey, as it was called then, is what I picked up and I never looked back,” described Auld about how he fell in to the sport. “It was purely by accident. I just loved the game and I climbed the rank enough to play for a first division team at Jordanhill and eventually a West of Scotland team.”

In 1966, Auld relocated to Canada and Vancouver Island, accepting a two-year teaching contract in Shawnigan Lake at the Cliffside Preparatory School, while his wife, Edna, worked as a nurse in Duncan. There, Auld also played field hockey for two years with the men’s team at Shawnigan Lake School in a league that included the Tigers, UVic and an Oak Bay team.

“At the end of those games at Windsor Park there was always a game right after and people figured that since I was a PE teacher I would know all the rules and I should umpire,” said Auld about how the whistle was first placed in his hand. “I had no qualifications but I was given a whistle and just did it. Whenever the umpire certification process started I did that and I got as far as Regional.”

In the 1980’s, Auld was also on the block to contend for his Canadian rank but during his field rating got injured and was unable to complete the game only later to find out that his age would likely prevent him from being selected for any Canadian-level matches anyway.

“I just went for [the Canadian rating] to improve but I was 46 and they had just dropped the age limits,” added Auld, who then decided to just stick with his regional rating.

Auld did relocate to Victoria with his wife, Edna, in 1969 and was the head of PE at Glenlyon Norfolk School. Edna and David had three children – Fiona Auld, Ian Auld and Caty Petan. Both Fiona and Caty played field hockey at Oak Bay Secondary and competed and won, in different years, at the provincial championships.

Auld’s umpiring career included doing the local men’s and women’s leagues, the premier men, high school girls and B.C. provincial championships. Auld bowed out of men’s league about 15 years ago and spent his last five years of umpiring dedicated to the third division VILFHA women’s league, the players of which he credits as the best to umpire.

Auld credits island officials Chris Wilson, Denise McGeachy, Gillian Batey, Alison Sweeten, Steve Stern and Tyler Klenk for their wisdom, guidance and inspiration over the years. Legendary field hockey contributors Jenny John and Pat Hall were also highlighted as being instrumental in support and laying the foundation for his pathway as an umpire.

“I’ve always admired his love of the game and his love of learning to improve his umpiring,” highlighted Victoria-based Chris Wilson, a 15-year FIH International certified umpire. “I remember almost not a weekend would go by that he didn’t have an umpiring question for me.”

“We had some great conversation about umpiring, rules and style. Also, watching him and seeing him enjoying umpiring a game is always a highlight. He’s been a long-standing member of the Victoria hockey community and has dedicated decades to the betterment of our sport.”

Auld continued as a player with the Castaways men’s team, made up largely of retired rugby players, from 1972-75 and when the team folded he played a large part in forming the Oak Bay men’s team.

Players that were umpired by Auld would not be able to argue the fact that he carried his love of the game on to the pitch rain or shine. His calm demeanor, jolly laugh and fair approach to the sport was always appreciated, while his desire to always pursue growth in his ability was an inspiration to all who remain complacent.

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Rapid rounds with David Auld:

Q: The hardest rule for you to implement in your time:

David: I’ve never really agreed or understood this one. If you raise the ball in field play it’s dangerous or you are subject to danger but with a shot of goal there’s no danger. Just because there’s a shot on goal there’s no danger? If someone flicks it or scoops it you see that coming but this rule is just so hard to understand.

Q: Most gratifying thing to call or moment on the field:

David: Feeling that I did a good job on the field as an umpire. Usually I have a good feel but the players congratulate you. I remember umpiring the twins, Clive and Giles Wheatley, in a first division game and their sister, Harriet, came up to me and said, “Mr. Auld that was the best game I have ever seen umpired.” And I never expected that and that was a long, long time ago and I was surprised and never forgot.

Q: The most memorable card you have ever given:

I have very few red cards in my career, never in the women’s league, only in the men’s league. I did give a player a red card for language, poor behaviour, bad sportsmanship and as he walked off the field he was still sort of threatening me but I never forgot it. I’ve also given a couple to a few visiting Vancouver team players who were on the Canadian national team and they were upset about the call and said, “why don’t you just give me a red card?” so I did.

Q: Most embarrassing moment:

David: Well one time at half time I went over to my bag and took off my gloves and had to blow my nose and then when we were ready to start the game my colleague started time. Play went on and I went to blow my whistle and realized I had forgot it on the other side of the field in my bag. I had to wave my hands in the air and make a ‘T’ and it was just a major brain lapse.

That wasn’t my most embarrassing moment, though. I can’t remember the two teams but I was doing the right thing and seeing the attack coming towards me. I curled in to the near post and this one lady was running at the ball and I could feel she was over-running the ball. I thought, ‘she is going to charge in to me’ and I prepared myself. She bowled me right over and ended up on top of me and I ended up with both hands on her chest. My partner, Alison Sweeten, will remember this story because I was so embarrassed.

Q: Some advice you have for the next generation of umpires:

David: Be prepared that you are going to make mistakes and you need to learn from them. Watch top class games with top class umpires.

Q: What would you say to umpires who are maybe just happy staying where they are in umpiring?

David: Field Hockey BC used to send out a questionnaire about your goals and your aims and ask you what you inspire to be as an umpire. And after I couldn’t get my Canadian rating I said that I just wanted to be the best Regional umpire that I could be.

Q: Outside of being on the field, what do you think umpiring has taught you?

David: It’s taught me to be as fair and impartial as I can be in a game and so to in life. Go through life fairly and impartially. It’s helped me with conflict management but over the last five years umpiring third division women that rarely was an issue. It’s taught me to be understanding, too.

Q: Looking back at the many weekends you spent at the field, what do you think you would have been doing if you weren’t umpiring?

David: Edna and I would have been going away on weekend trips and maybe some cycling trips. We used to cycle up island, to the gulf islands. We would have been doing more of that. Edna was always supportive of me umpiring. I used to play cricket and a game would be 6 hours and she would come watch with the kids even though she didn’t know the first thing about cricket.

Q: What was your greatest challenge umpiring?

David: My greatest challenge was when I was asked to do two Canada vs USA men’s games in Victoria in the 1980s. Canada and the USA were up at UVic on a two-week training camp so they had scrimmage games every other day and I was asked to umpire. I umpired with a USA national umpire and I warned him that I might be out of my depth but he came up to me afterwards and said, “I don’t know what you’re worried about, you’re doing fine.”

Q. Best advice given to you:

David: Jenny John once said at a clinic, “never assume that when you walk on the field that players are going to foul. You must always go on to the field and assume that they are going to play the game properly.” I thought that was really good advice and that was 25 or 30 years ago.

Q: Highlight tournaments, games or memories for you?

David: Of course the Canada vs USA games. Also, the Bridgman Cup is such a great tournament and I have been to a few of the B.C. High School championships and I’ve enjoyed that. I’ve also umpired in the Vancouver men’s league a few times.

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by Ali Baggott, for VILFHA

The VILFHA executive are able to follow Ministry of Health/Public Health, ViaSport and Field Hockey BC Return to Play requirements and offer a modified fall season.

To register please complete this form before Sept 27 https://forms.gle/5gHHNLQaDayafEwU6

Facilities also have their own requirements – so, for example, UVic has not yet approved Field Hockey Victoria to play on the UVic turf. FHV is working with UVic around being able to access turf – however, initial games at least will be in Cowichan. .

VILFHA Executive conducted a survey of players and based on survey results, Return to Play – Second Stage – FHBC, and turf accdess we are offering a cohort-model game length scrimmage this fall.

This means:
Players will register as individuals – not as teams and there will be a temporary redistribution of participating players into cohorts. There will be up to 4 teams/cohort divided into 2 Divisions (players will self-select into either Div 1/2 or Div 2/3)

There will be additional roles within cohorts – such as Coach/leader; Safety Officer and potentially Umpire. Players are requested to please consider what additional roles they would be willing to fill – i.e. occasionally you could fill the role of Safety Officer for half your game rather than playing. Prior to playing information will be provided regarding the Return to Play requirements and roles.

All participants MUST be members of FHBC – annual membership is $86.00 for Senior player and $63.00 for <18 yrs.. VILFHA cost will be as low as possible – estimated at $40.00.

Please be aware that the season may be cancelled at any time based on Public Health requirements or facility requirements.

We recognize that there are people who already have contact with each other who should play together to limit unnecessary exposure to new people – and we know people want to play with friends – and every effort will be made to group people into cohorts based on information provided on registration form – but please remember – it is not a guarantee..(but we will do our very best)

Please recognize we cannot alter the FHBC Return to Play requirements – these are not up for discussion or debate – and must be followed closely. Requirements will be communicated closer to game day with everyone who is participating.

In summary – option for VILFHA fall season:

• individual registration (not teams)
• ‘cohorts’ will be formed out of available players
• cannot change cohort
• people asked to consider additional roles such as Safety Officer
• Cost is approx $40 +FHBC membership
• initially games will be played in Cowichan only due to turf availability – that will change if/when turf is available in Victoria (but at least 1/2 games will be in Cowichan)

To register please complete this form before Sept 27 https://forms.gle/5gHHNLQaDayafEwU6

Thank you to everyone.for your patience as we make our way through this! Our goal for this fall is to have fun, develop the league, develop skills with health as the primary consideration.

Thank you –
VILFHA Executive

For more information:
https://www.viasport.ca/return-sport
https://fieldhockeybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-Second-Stage-Responsible-Return-to-Play-Framework-Field-Hockey-BC-COVID-19-Response-September-3-2020-Final.pdf

VILFHA Fall Meeting

Date: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom (see details below)

Agenda is attached.

As per Rule 4.1 c) iv. Fines shall be imposed on any team for not having a Team Rep at Council Meetings and/or General Meetings: $25.00

Please also contact Kirsten Duncan (kirstenduncan08@gmail.com or 250 661-3197) if Zoom is not an option for you and we will make other arrangements

VILFHA Executive

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Zoom Details

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83899096764?pwd=QmRhclJHMWl4UVIremFqOERIQk43UT09

Dial by your location
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
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+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
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Meeting ID: 838 9909 6764
Passcode: 407644

Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame

Victoria’s Shelley Winter Andrews was the first Canadian player to reach 100 international matches. She was a captain of the winningest national team in Canadian history. And now she is being inducted into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame.

“It’s an honour to have your name put forward in the first place,” said Andrews. “And then to be picked is — everybody uses the word humbling — but it is humbling. It means that your peers or somebody has thought highly of you that they would want to nominate you so it was a lovely honour.”

Andrews played for the Women’s National Team from 1975 to 1986. She co-captained the team through four World Cups and the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. She was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Andrews recalls those special years in the late 70s and 80s when Team Canada was surging onto the world stage.

“Well in the 1980s, I mean, coming second in the world, that’s obviously one of my biggest highlights,” said Andrews. “Even for me, ahead of the Olympics. The experience was amazing. The results [at the Olympics] were a little disappointing for our team. The World Championships in ‘83; I’d say it was a highlight.”

Andrews still plays the game even after her retirement. She plays for Oak Bay in the women’s league in Victoria. She is also involved in the community as an executive and coach and has been passing down her love of the game to the next generation.

“It’s lots of fun,” said Andrews. “And the game has certainly changed some since I first started playing and it’s way more exciting now, I think lots of different rule changes that have made it faster and sort of keep the spectators interested, that kind of thing. But it’s good to see and watch young kids learn certain skills and be able to pick up really cool skills.”

The 1983 National Team is also being inducted as a part of the 2019 class. For Andrews, being inducted alongside that group makes this moment extra-special.

“To me that is the nicest thing about this whole thing because field hockey is a team sport,” she said. “ So it always kind of amazes me that you have individuals who are, you know, honoured and selected and that kind of thing, when really without that team or those people around you.”

Andrews’ induction into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame is a celebration of her leadership and legendary career with Field Hockey Canada.

Watch: https://youtu.be/3scCfQopmMY

Article from Field Hockey Canada: http://www.fieldhockey.ca/2020/08/17/field-hockey-canada-inductee-shelley-winter-andrews/

Update from Field Hockey Victoria:

TURF UPDATE
Field Hockey Victoria (FHV) has been in touch with Vikes Athletics and Recreation regarding the use of the water-based turf, Field 1. At this time, booking of the turf for the community is not available. They would like to do so in the near future and will require an FHV safety plan as part of a bigger safety plan that has to get approved through a few layers at the University level. The entire process is aimed to be complete by the middle of September.

It should be noted that FHBC still does not have a return to competition plan. Scrimmages, modified games, and match-play are NOT SANCTIONED at this time. Please read the “Responsible Return to Play” below for more information.

Once booking is available, there will be no change in turf rental rates at this time. There will be no change to the booking process. The FHV turf coordinator will advise of additional terms and conditions of use, ensuring the following items are communicated and agreed upon.

It should be noted that other field/facilities (other than at UVic) may be available for FHV members to use. As such, FHV requires the following responsible return to play framework regardless of location.

RESPONSIBLE RETURN TO PLAY
FHV requires all members to familiarize themselves with the FHBC Responsible Return to Play Framework for any and all field hockey sessions. FHV is the Local Sport Organization (LSO) as referenced in the FHBC framework. See here: https://fieldhockeybc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-First-Stage-Responsible-Return-to-Play-Framework-Field-Hockey-BC-COVID-19-Response-June-11-2020-amended-July-29-2020.pdf

The following are mandatory elements for every field hockey session/activity:

• Pre-activity health screening for all participants
• Pre-activity reminder of public health guidelines to all participants
• COVID-19 Attestation Questionnaire (attached) completed for all participants
  Note: all completed questionnaires must be held by the permit holder for up to 2 years to ensure information is available should contact tracing be required.

Since the majority of field hockey activities will happen at UVic’s Field 1, all participants must follow the attached field/facility access plan. If using a different facility, all participants must adhere to the field/facility access plan provided by the booking authority for that space in addition to the FHBC framework. Session plans must incorporate a 15-minute Facility Entry Protocol (to collect questionnaires and verbally check in with all athletes) and a 15-minute Facility Exit Protocol (to ensure athlete, coach, and officer departure prior to subsequent session booking).

The following are mandatory elements for setting up a field hockey activity:

• Coaches must consider equipment setup to ensure social distance is maintained throughout the session. Please refer to FHBC Head Coach checklist (follow the link above) more detail.
• Safety officers must come prepared with all appropriate forms/checklists. Safety officers must wear a high viz vest or jacket at all times. Please refer to FHBC Safety Officer checklist (follow the link above) for more detail.
• A hard copy of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) (attached) must be at each session and this documentation should include a First Aid response and Outbreak plan.

Athlete capacity must meet the following restrictions (diagram on page 25 of the FHBC Framework):

• A maximum of 8 athletes are permitted per quarter
• The booking group must assign one (1) coach for each athlete-group (max. 8 players per player-group)
• The booking group must assign one (1) safety officer to every two athlete-groups (max. 16 players each)
• The maximum occupancy per field is 38 (32 athletes, 4 coaches, 2 safety officers)
• The coach, safety officer, and athlete can not be the same person.

Players should be reminded:

• Not to arrive before their scheduled time, and to immediately leave the field once the session is complete.
• Not to attend if experiencing any cold/flu-like symptoms.
• To exit the premises if any symptoms manifest during the session.
• To only bring their stick and water bottle. All safety equipment (e.g. shin guards, mouthguard) should be put on prior to entering the field. Bags should not be brought onto the field space.
• Not to touch any facility equipment. If a goal need to be moved, players should use the sanitizer spray bottle provided to disinfect the surfaces after moving the goal.
• To maintain physical distance at all times, and to practice good hygiene when coughing/sneezing.
• That they must be a registered FHBC member, in good standing. (i.e. FHBC player dues paid and received).

Thanks to everyone for your patience as we responsibly return to play.

Sincerely,

Mark Baggott
President, Field Hockey Victoria

See related documents:
FHV COVID-19 Attestation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zeffn4dcs7ye6z4/FHV%20COVID%20Attestation.pdf?dl=0
FHV COVID UVic Turf map: https://www.dropbox.com/s/duim6rcjfp6x271/FHV%20COVID%20Turf%20Map.pdf?dl=0
FHV Emergency Action Plan: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4trc0nykq4ky6ub/FHV%20Emergency%20Action%20Plan.pdf?dl=0