News and Announcements

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This month is a busy month for island athletes and one island-connected umpire who are set to represent Canada on a very important state – the FIH Olympic Qualifiers.

The Canadian women’s national team drew the qualifier event in Valencia, Spain from Jan 13-21, while the Canadian men’s team are set to compete from Jan. 15-21 in Muscat, Oman. Both teams have already arrived in their respective locations to acclimatize and get some training and test matches in after the holiday break.

Victoria’s Kathleen Leahy (Lynx FHC, UVic Vikes) and Anna Mollenhauer (Lynx FHC, UVic Vikes) alongside Duncan’s Sara Goodman (Cowichan FHC, UBC Thunderbirds) are part of the 18-player roster. On the men’s side, Victoria’s Harbir Sidhu (Tigers FHC, UVic Vikes) has made the squad, while formerly Victoria-based umpire Tyler Klenk was selected to officiate at the Oman event.

Following October’s Pan American Games, hosted in Santiago, Chile, both Canadian sides failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics as only the continental champions had a direct berth the the major games. Argentina, in their continued dominance, took the seed on both sides. With hosts, France, and five continental champion berths now sealed, that still leaves 6 available slots for the world’s remaining teams to vie for.

There are two FIH Olympic qualifying tournaments per gender and the top three placings in each tournament, each with eight teams, will qualify. The Canadian women will open pool play against Great Britain, before taking on Malaysia and then Spain. Belgium, Ireland, Korea and Ukraine are in their rival pool. Those games are hosted in Valencia, Spain, while the other women’s qualifier is taking place in Ranchi, India.

The Canadian men’s side will be Muscat, Oman, alongside Klenk as an umpire. Canada shares a pool with Germany, New Zealand and Chile, and the other pool includes China, Great Britain, Malaysia and Pakistan.

It will be no easy feat to compete in these grueling events but the prize is an ultimate one. Cheer on the Canadians.

Learn more about the FIH Olympic Qualifiers: https://www.fih.hockey/events/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/news/fih-hockey-olympic-qualifiers-2024-pools-revealed

Watch the Olympic Qualifiers online at: https://watch.hockey

Schedules, scores, rosters and more at: https://tms.fih.ch/

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VICTORIA – Lynne Beecroft, a 15-time U SPORTS national champion, an Olympian, and a four-time hall-of-famer, received yet another well-deserved accolade—a field named in her honour.

On Saturday, October 21, the University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation officially dubbed the CARSA field hockey pitch the Lynne “Buzz” Beecroft field, commemorating her contributions as one of the most decorated coaches in Canadian university sport history.

A crowd of approximately 250 people gathered on the UVic field hockey turf for the official proceedings, which began with a welcome to the territory by UVic President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kevin Hall, followed by a drumming from UVic alumnae Kolette and Judy Cristante and concluded with the unveiling of the new sign in Beecroft’s name.

“It is truly an honour to have this field named after me, I’m pretty sure I could have just pulled up a bed and had this as my second home for many years,” said Beecroft in her acceptance speech. “Honestly, as much as it’s a legacy to have this field in my name, what I have loved the most was just coaching and playing with everyone here, so thank you for this incredible honour.”

A nod to the past inspiring the next generation

Beecroft’s legacy is often summed up by the numbers. As a coach, she amassed 34 national medals (15 of which are gold), coached nearly 40 athletes who have gone on to represent Canada and over 70 All-Canadians, finishing with an impressive overall coaching record of 340-98-89 (wins-losses-ties).

With a career spanning over four decades, Beecroft’s footprint is, quite simply, extraordinary. Her remarkable journey is not only characterized by countless achievements and accolades, but the profound impact she has made on her athletes, colleagues, the community, and the sport. Now, this legacy is set to be permanently enshrined where the journey truly began.

“Buzz has done a masterful job of tapping the wellsprings of potential of her athletes. Every time a Vikes athlete has the opportunity to step on this field, they will be a part of her legacy,” said Krista Thompson, UVic women’s field hockey head coach.

The Lynne “Buzz” Beecroft Field is a fitting tribute to a coach whose influence transcends medals and statistics. It stands as a testament to her lasting impact on the sport and all those fortunate enough to have experienced her passion.

Read more about how Lynne Beecroft’s retirement marks the end of an era: https://govikesgo.com/news/2023/1/16/general-lynne-beecrofts-retirement-marks-the-end-of-an-era.aspx

Stories written by Kelley O’Gradey, Vikes Communications (https://www.govikesgo.com)
Photo Credit: Armando Tura

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Registration is now open for the 2024 annual U18 Malcolm Fernandes Memorial Indoor Tournament!

Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
When: January 26-28, 2023
Where: Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan, BC
Format: 6 aside

Maximum of 12 players per team.

Early Bird Registration Fee: $350 per team if paid by December 28, 2023.
Registration Fee: $400 per team after December 28, 2023.
Deadline to register: January 15, 2024 (noon)

Link to register:
https://forms.gle/g8vcaj8eq4sEtbcM8

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The Junior National Teams are largely self-funded and dependent on funding sources from sponsors and donors, with athletes and their families having to make a major financial commitment to take part in training and competitions to be at their best in representing Canada on the world stage.

The following tournaments are coming up in December:

2023 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup
Santiago, Chile
December 6th, 2023 to December 17th, 2023

2023 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
December 5th, 2023 to December 16th, 2023

Please show your support by contributing to our island athletes:

Julia Boraston (UVic Vikes, former Lynx Club and Mount Doug Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/julia-borastons-jwnt-fundraising-2023-24

Libby Hogg (UVic Vikes, former Lynx Club and Oak Bay High Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/libbys-junior-world-cup-journey/

Isabella Green (Calgary Dinos, former Cowichan Club and Cowichan Secondary Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/isabella-greens-road-to-the-junior-world-cup/

To read more about the teams, the 2023 Junior World Cup, and the fundraiser initiative, as well as to donate to the overall teams, please access the Junior Women’s Team Donation page here: https://fieldhockey.ca/backthepups/

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Field Hockey BC is currently accepting registrations for a Provincial Umpire Course that will happen in November, spots are limited! All scheduled courses are operated & instructed by appointed course conductors. Provincial Courses are open only to FHBC Registered Participants.

Provincial Courses consist of two sessions of 3 hours, including theory and exam. Participants are required to attend both sessions to be eligible to write the exam.

Must have taken the Community online course prior. Must be at least 14 years of age. Maximum 12 participant

Date: Thursday November 2 & Thursday November 9, 2023
Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm
Location: Victoria, B.C
Instructor: Chris Wilson
Cost: FHBC $60 + FHC fee $10 + RAMP fee of $1.93 = $71.93

Registration Deadline: November 1, 2023

To register, go to http://fhbcregistration.rampregistrations.com/ and click on the “Camps & Clinics” tab.

For more information please go to our Umpire Education page, or contact eventsandofficials@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com