On February 10, FHBC held its 2021 Annual General Meeting in a virtual capacity, and we are please to inform that the meeting was a success. Registered voters and additional attendants were willing and able to participate without issue. FHBC would like to thank our community for your support and understanding of the current environment.

Additionally to the non-bylaw motions carried (see the AGM Package for more information), there were four positions up for election to the Field Hockey BC Board of Directors. We welcome two new members to the BOD - Denise McGeachy and Ali Baggott - and all thanks to Brenda Rushton and Jennifer Taylor for continuing in their roles.

Position: Vice-President

Nominee: Denise McGeachy

Position: Domestic Director

Nominee: Brenda Rushton

Position: Athlete Program Director

Nominee: Jennifer Taylor

Position: Marketing Director

Nominee: Ali Baggott

It is a bittersweet moment as the Field Hockey BC governance and staff team say goodbye to Madge Johnson and Brian Groos.

Following the recent 2021 Annual General Meeting, both Madge and Brian stepped down from the FHBC Board of Directors after a herculean term in governance support of field hockey across BC. We can only be thankful for everything they have done for our sport and our organization.

Brian joined the FHBC Board in 2005 and has worked with several lineups of Board colleagues and FHBC staff, devoting his time to the role of Marketing Director for over 15 years.

His playing career started at Brentwood College School and then in Victoria playing for the Oak Bay Castaways. Brian fell into coaching while studying at Queen’s University and, “thanks to Gail Wilson, this was followed by three years as coach of some memorable players on the UBC JV’s”, he added.

Brian headed off to work in Brussels for more than a decade and also worked for two years for the Sydney Olympics. “I was fortunate enough to spend time studying and working outside of BC, where I found my hockey stick proved a perfect tool to open doors and meet people.”

Later, his hockey days resumed to Victoria, first as coach of the Saanich Strikers and, since the early 2000’s, as a coach of the Rebels Patriots. “As with most hockey things these days, we’ll see what the future looks like once the pandemic is over.”

In 2005 the BC Women’s Field Hockey Federation (BCWFHF) and BC Field Hockey Association (BCFHA) amalgamated to form FHBC, and Madge was duly elected to the role of FHBC President serving three full terms as President before stepping down (briefly) and returning to the FHBC Governance Team as Vice-President, a position held until this year.

Overall, Madge has been an Executive Member with both BCWFHF and FHBC for over 26 years. Being involved as a player since 1973 – always as a Goalie – she played internationally for Canada from 1978 to 1981.

Later on, Madge started umpiring and obtained her International Badge in 1992. She still umpires in the Vancouver Women’s and Junior Leagues and is involved in mentoring new aspiring umpires. From 1989 to 2014, Madge also represented Canada as an International Technical Official.

FHBC appreciates everything Madge and Brian have done to bring national and provincial field hockey to the level it is today. We are certain that they will remain active and important members of our community.

At the end of January, Field Hockey Canada officially announced the cancellation of the 2021 National Championship events.

While this is disappointing for all involved, we completely support the decision given the uncertainty of the ongoing global pandemic.

Due to the cancellation of Nationals, and the current PHO restrictions, we will not be holding Provincial Program selections trials in March and April as previously planned.

We do not feel it is safe or fair to do so. Instead, FHBC will be focusing on helping athletes get back on the pitch, whether that be through Spring Seasonal Play or within complimentary FHBC programming.

FHBC is still committed to offering a provincial talent identification cycle this summer, as well as other opportunities for our athletes and coaches, but will do so in a calendar window that follows the end of the traditional junior season (from mid-June 2021 and aligned to COVID-19 protocols).

To this end, FHBC continues to work closely with Field Hockey Canada to determine exactly what form of talent identification will most appropriate for the identification athletes at both a NextGen and Provincial level. Please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Field Hockey BC has partnered with viaSport BC to offer two Make Ethical Decisions coaching courses in March. This course helps coaches determine what to do in challenging situations. It is recommended that all coaches take this course. FHBC is currently subsidizing the cost of this course for all FHBC members. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

The two opportunities in March are:

Please contact our Athlete Program and Sport Development Manager, Katie Jameson, at sportdevelopment@fieldhockeybc.com for registration information or to inquire about coaching courses.

Field Hockey Canada Officiating Committee will be conducting curriculum updates to the online Community Umpire Course beginning on February 20th, 2021.

The online course will be unavailable while these curriculum updates are being conducted. All umpire candidates currently in progress must complete their lesson and exam by Friday, February 19th, 2021.

The updated Community Umpire Course will be available again online beginning March 22nd, 2021.

Message from the International Hockey Federation regarding updates to the field hockey rules:

This information has been posted in the NA and CF workrooms and the most recent version of the Rules of Hockey and Indoor Hockey can be found here."