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

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/CoachEduca…

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

The document Jan 2014 FHBC Coaching Seminar was attached to this post.

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.

VICTORIA – Top-level competition returns to the island as the University of Victoria Vikes host the 2013 CIS / FHC women’s field hockey championship on Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the UVic field hockey pitch. The four-team tournament will pit the Canada West’s top-two, UBC and UVic, against the OUA top two. Final seeding will be determined over the next couple of weeks despite the Vikes and T-Birds already qualifying.

TOURNAMENT INFO: govikesgo.com/CISWFH

Game times are set for 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, while the weekend games will go at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 2-3. The Vikes are after their 12th CIS banner with their most recent banner being won in 2008 when tournament was hosted in Victoria.

In addition to the CIS Championship the Vikes will be hosting a number of events including an alumni and friends celebration event that includes a dinner to celebrate Vikes head coach Lynne Beecroft’s 30th season. The alumni event is extended to the entire day of Nov. 2 that begins with a fun, alumni and friends game in the morning and ends with watching the current Vikes squad compete at 1 p.m. and a celebration and fundraiser dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Uplands Golf Course. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased online at govikesgo.com/CISWFH . All family, friends and alumni are welcome to purchase tickets. Included in the cost is a t-shirt, dinner and a week-long pass to the 2013 CIS Championship.

The Vikes women’s field hockey team are also working in conjunction with 100.3 The Q and the TLC Fund for Kids to host a one-session field hockey camp for boys and girls on Oct. 25. The day is a pro-d day for many of Victoria’s youth and for $25 (proceeds go to the TLC Fund for Kids), the participants receive a t-shirt, 1.5 hours of skills and fun, lunch and a day pass to the Nov. 2 date of the CIS women’s field hockey championship. The TLC Fund for Kids is a not-for-profit organization of the CRD that dedicates energy towards helping children’s health, happiness and betterment of life. The camp is open to children ages 6-11 and registration is available online now at govikesgo.com/TLC

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Canada’s best university field hockey and get involved!

For more information visit govikesgo.com or contact Ali Lee, Vikes Alumni Chapter Chair, at alilee05@gmail.com

Attention Victoria Men’s League Participants:

Please note that this Sunday, Sept. 22 there will be detours and road closure’s do to the TOUR DE VICTORIA. For full maps and details about closures please visit: www.tourdevictoria.com

Please plan to arrive early for your games this weekend and leave time to walk to the fields.