News and Announcements

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Dec. 11, 2013
Files from FIH

It is now a tradition for the Canadian Junior Team that when they go on tour or play in a competition abroad, they bring bags of collected sticks, jerseys and equipment to donate to a local program that supports youth hockey development.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gaWnO5lOGU

For the last few months, on top of training and fundraising for their trip to India, the Canadian team organized coaching clinics for junior players in their clubs and communities and participants brought a stick or other piece of hockey equipment in lieu of payment. In total 150 sticks, 20 full sets of goal-keeper gear, 100 balls and a few complete sets of uniforms were collected. Altogether, more than 300kg of equipment traveled with the team to India in addition to their own playing kits and luggage for the competition!

On Dec. 11, during their rest day of the Junior World Cup, the Canadian players spent a couple of hours at Shivaji Stadium in Delhi, meeting a large group from Bua Sa Hockey Village India, a German based charity that promotes education and sport for children in rural Rajasthan.

The Canadian players distributed the equipment, then organized drills and mini-games, which quickly became very competitive with the local boys and girls wanting to display they skills.

“It is amazing what our communities have been doing”, said Team Manager Alvin Bissett, instigator of the projects. “It helps our young athletes realize how privileged we are in Canada, and it gives them an opportunity to give back and possibly make a difference in the lives of these local kids”.

Andrea Thumshirn, a German hockey player who started the Bua Sa Foundation in 2009, was very appreciative of the Canadian “Make a Difference” initiative.

“For two years I have been running a hockey academy for under-privileged children in Rajasthan,” said Thumshirn. “The Canadian team brought busloads of hockey equipment all the way from Canada. They are donating it to us so that we can open more hockey villages in Rajasthan. The kids will have big, big eyes open and a great future.”

“The main reason we came to India this week was for the Junior World Cup but at the same time it means a lot to us to give back to the community, both here in India and back at home,” said Canadian defender and co-captain Gordie Johnston. “What Alvin has done here is truly inspirational. Every year he values giving back to the community and this is one of his initiatives that he has brought on multiple tours. The amount of work he puts in to giving back is truly admirable.”

For the children, the session with the Canadian players was the cherry on the cake of an exceptional 3-day road trip, during which they also attended a full day of Junior World Cup matches at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, met some players of the German team and were even invited for a meal at the German Embassy in Delhi alongside the players’ families.

Information on Hockey Village India can be found at http://www.hockeyvillageindia.com.

For photos of the event visit: http://www.fih.ch/en/news-4885-young-canadians-make-a-difference-in-delhi

All VILFHA members are invited to attend the Christmas Council Meeting on December 9th, 2013 at 7pm

at the Robin Hood Motel located at 136 Gorge Road East.

Each club is responsible for providing the following:

Appetizers – Blue Jays, Patriots and Renegades

Desserts – Mariners, Sailors, Pirates and Ravens

Drinks, plates and napkins – Swifts, Cardinals, Stellars and Kestrels

Chips and munchies – Demons, Devils, Lynx 1, 2 and 3

WE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR THE MUSTARD SEED FOOD BANK, PLEASE

BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO THE MEETING FOR COLLECTION.

Thank you,

Cheryl McCreary

Social Director

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Field Hockey BC is pleased to announce the official launch of the new Field Hockey Canada (FHC)/National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) coach education pathway!

The first coach education seminar in Vancouver from January 3rd to 5th, 2014. This seminar is designed for new coaches, coaches with NCCP Community Coach Certification, and for those coaching junior athletes between the ages of 6-15. Registration is now open for this seminar! More information on this seminar and registration details can be found on our website at:

http://www.fieldhockeybc.com/Coaches/CoachEducation/CoachEducationSeminarJanuary2014/tabid/870/Default.aspx

For those on the island, the second seminar will take place at the University of Victoria, from February 21st to 23rd, 2014. More details will be posted on the Field Hockey BC website shortly.

Please see below attached document with more information on these seminars and the courses offered.

Field Hockey BC: fieldhockeybc.com

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With the cold months starting to creep in the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association executive would like to advise all team representatives, players and officials that weather conditions and turf closures will be posted online at VILFHA.ca.

Field closures are first announced by both the University of Victoria and/or the Cowichan Sportsplex Rentals. As soon as the VILFHA executive are made aware e-mails and phone calls will go out to captains and an announcement in the top right corner of the VILFHA website will be made.

Officials also have the right to make a decision at game time as to whether or not the field is safe to play on or not.

For any questions or concerns please contact Ronnie Lee, Director of Operations (leeronnie19@gmail.com or 250-727-6033).

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In December, the Canadian men’s junior national team will be heading to New Delhi, India for the 2013 Junior World Cup. The team is reaching out to the field hockey community to donate field hockey sticks, balls, shoes, shin pads and anything else that can be used by kids in India to start programs for those who are unable to afford it.

If anyone has any equipment they would like to donate please drop it off at 3341 Woodburn Avenue (Henderson area). Alternatively, Alison Hastings, manager of Lynx 3, will be at the UVic Turf from 10:30-12:30pm on Saturday, Nov. 16 to collect equipment.

If you need to arrange an alternative time please contact Alison at 250-598-0644.