Announcement

Sidhu named 2015 Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award Winner

Posted by Vancouver Island Field Hockey Association (Men) on Jan 15 2016 at 04:29PM PST in Season 2015-16
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VICTORIA – The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF) and the University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation are pleased to announce University of Victoria Vikes men’s field hockey player, Harbir Sidhu, as the sixth winner of the Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award.

David Bate started off as a UVic student in the 1980s and now continues to give back to the community with his family through this annual award.

“It is very gratifying to know local athletes with the assistance of scholarships are willing to stay in the greater Victoria area to pursue their athletic and academic ambitions at the University of Victoria,” commented Marilyn and John Bate, whose family created the award in 2010. “We are indeed proud to be supporters of this most worthwhile cause.”

Sidhu is a Mount Douglas Secondary graduate and is currently a first year in the commerce program. The prestige and versatility offered by the Gustavson School of Business and the ability to foster his field hockey skills with the Vikes made UVic an easy choice for the Victoria native. Sidhu is bilingual, also speaking Punjabi, and as such is heavily involved with the Punjab community helping create leaders in the youth and instilling a sense of pride in children towards their culture and heritage through volunteer work and sport.

Starting at the age of six, Sidhu began working his way up the field hockey ladder by participating in various spring and recreational leagues early in his career. He has since captained his respective BC provincial team for two years and has competed in two Canadian national championships. Sidhu was part of the historic Canadian team that won a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in 2014. His talents were noticed by the senior coaching staff and he is currently the youngest player training with the senior men’s national team, who are preparing for the Rio Olympics.

Sidhu is the sixth winner of the award, following Michael Baart of men’s soccer in 2014-15. The award was first won in 2010-11 by swimmer Julia Schmidt and then to cross-country and track runner Patrick Psotka in 2011-12. Sarah Douglas of women’s soccer and women’s rower Stephanie Polomark were the winners in 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively.

For more on the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, click here.

Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award – Past recipients
2015-16: Harbir Sidhu, Field Hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary
2014-15: Michael Baart, Soccer, St. Michaels University School
2013-14: Stephanie Polomark, Rowing, Belmont Senior Secondary
2012-13: Sarah Douglas, Soccer, Glenlyon Norfolk School
2011-12: Patrick Psotka, Track, Oak Bay High
2010-11: Julia Schmidt: Swimming, Lambrick Park Secondary

Story from Vikes Communications (govikesgo.com)