News and Announcements

image

It is with great sadness that the field hockey community mourns the loss of a pioneer of our sport, Pat Hall. Pat passed away peacefully with her family on Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. VILFHA and VIFHA will share more details about a Celebration of Life when available. This weekend teams are encouraged to share in a moment of silence to reflect on Pat Hall and how much she built for the future of field hockey.

While Pat has won many accolades over the past seven decades, in recent years she has been a recurring name crossing the stage. In 2020, Pat was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame for her decades of contributions to both field hockey and softball. Pat was then honoured at the Greater Victoria Sports Awards return to the local stage in 2022, as the organizing committee presented an award in her name, the Pat Hall Volunteer Award. Just this past Fall of 2023, Field Hockey Canada then announced Pat as a member of their 2023 FHC Hall of Fame as a builder.

Pat’s list of contributions is endless. In addition to her many years as player, coach and umpire, Pat served on the executive of the VILFHA for over 40 years. She has been Victoria or BC representative with Field Hockey BC, Field Hockey Canada, the Vancouver Island Umpires Association and the Victoria Junior Field Hockey Association. She was also a long-time administrator for the Victoria Men’s League (VIFHA).

She was honoured four times with VILFHA’s most prestigious award, the Christine Trophy, for combining sportsmanship, service and playing ability. She was also honoured by Field Hockey BC with their Barbara Schrodt Award for those who have made a difference, the Gold Pin Volunteer Award and Sport BC President’s Award. In 1983, Pat was named Victoria Sports Person of the Year. In 1993, she was awarded with VILFHA Life Membership and, in 2013, the VILFHA introduced the Pat Hall Officials Development Award.

If you would like to contribute to the Pat Hall Officials Development Award visit:
https://give.vancouverfoundation.ca/s/give?ID=a0e41000005DMugAAG

VIFHA is grateful for Pat’s contributions to the sport and the stage she set for field hockey players for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Pat’s family – Denise, Donna and Marty and Pat’s beautiful grand children, all of who she loved and helped raise with unconditional love.

We will share more details as they come available.

image

A legend in local and provincial field hockey circles was honoured recently with perhaps the top career honour in the sport in Canada.
Pat Hall, whose decades-long volunteering and passion for the sport in Greater Victoria, on Vancouver Island and beyond made her a fixture around local, Island and B.C. fields, was inducted into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame in the builder’s category late last month.
Encapsulating Pat’s exploits on and off the field, FHC wrote: “Hall’s outstanding commitment to B.C. women’s field hockey, specifically on Vancouver Island, has left an incredible mark on the game. She serves as a shining example of what it means to be a dedicated volunteer and advocate for the game. Hall co-founded the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association and served as the President of the B.C. Women’s Field Hockey Federation, both roles that showcased her unwavering commitment.”
The Vancouver Island Field Hockey Association congratulates Pat on this wonderful, well-deserved honour. She has inspired and influenced many volunteers, players and officials over the years and we thank her wholeheartedly for her efforts in all areas of hockey on behalf of developing the sport and keeping it alive and thriving.
– Don Descoteau, VIFHA secretary
WATCH: https://youtu.be/eWtkoo_jBJs?si=Z4a21C8FtEXxZGyk

image

With the new season less than six weeks away, the Vancouver Island Field Hockey Association is preparing to host its 2023 annual general meeting and start-of-season meeting, to be held online over Zoom, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
With the season tentatively set to begin on Sunday, Sept. 10, teams are being encouraged to confirm their player lists and forward them to the league administrator, and ensure all players are registered with Field Hockey B.C. for the 2023-24 season. (Read more at https://www.teampages.com/leagues/1343/announcements/2348314-Sign-up-now-FHBC-registrations-open-for-coming-season )
Input from all teams and the umpire’s association is critical to helping the league executive make good decisions, so players as well as team officials are encouraged to attend.
Of particular interest will be the election of the president and treasurer for the next two seasons. Nominations are open for both positions. Confirmed nominations for those wishing to run can be sent in advance of the meeting to “vifhainfo@gmail.com”.
Once the agenda is confirmed, it will be forwarded to team reps ahead of Aug. 15.
Any issues not resolved from last season will be discussed under “new business.” Reps and other team members are encouraged to bring questions or comments about VIFHA operations to the meeting, or forward them no later than Aug. 11 to “vifhainfo@gmail.com” for inclusion on the agenda.
No RSVPs are required to attend the meeting. Simply log on to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86011860108 and type in the meeting ID: 860 1186 0108, if necessary, to join the Zoom call.

image

Teams and players looking to get the jump on the 2023-24 Vancouver Island Field Hockey Association season are encouraged to register soon, with Field Hockey B.C.‘s retooled registration now open.
Among the changes made that take effect Sept. 1 is the terminology for clubs, players, officials and others.
B.C. accredited community clubs are now referred to as ’members,’ while individuals previously referred to as members are now classed as ‘registered participants.’
More information about these changes can be found on FHBC’s Special General Meeting page at https://fieldhockeybc.com/annual-general-meeting-agm .
The registration link can be accessed here: https://fieldhockeybc.com/about/registration and a step-by-step guide for the registration process available here: https://fieldhockeybc.com/registration-system-guide/ .
All VIFHA players must be registered to play in a scheduled or exhibition match or practise on the turf fields at the University of Victoria. All signups are to be done via the FHBC online registration process. All applicable fees are considered separate from any club fees a player incurs.
While some registered participants are also coaches, officials, volunteers and/or administrators, they only need register in their highest (largest fee) category. The option to register will be open throughout the year with the seasonal year running Sept. 1 to Aug. 31.
The registered participant fees for the upcoming season are as follows:

  1. Senior player (born in 2005 or earlier) – Total $80
    FHBC fee ($39) + Field Hockey Canada fee ($39 + $2 NSO registration system surcharge)
  2. Junior player U18 to U13 (born 2006 to 2011) – Total $57
    FHBC fee ($34) + FHC fee ($21 + $2 surcharge)
  3. Youth player U12 or younger (born 2012 or after) – Total $23
    FHBC fee ($18) + FHC fee ($3 + $2 surcharge)
  4. Coach – Total $26
    FHBC fee ($6) + FHC fee ($18 + $2 surcharge)
  5. Official – Total $26
    FHBC fee ($6) + FHC fee ($18 + $2 surcharge)
  6. Volunteer – no fee at this time
  7. Administrator – no fee at this time

FHBC reminds that registered participant fees will only be reimbursed to those members who have not actively participated during the current membership year, regardless of the extent of such participation. Prorated fees for those who join a league midway through the season are also not available.

image

Join the Field Hockey Canada Senior National Teams for a day on the golf course. The Red Caribou and The Wolfpack are excited to host the first inaugural fundraiser golf tournament at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course on Friday, June 30, from 12 PM to 9 PM.

Book as a single, twosome or a foursome and support the national teams on their Olympic qualification journeys. Come for the golf and stay for the dinner social and prizes with the Field Hockey Canada national team athletes.

Event Schedule
Location: Tsawwassen Springs Golf & Country Club (Tsawwassen, BC)
Date: Friday, June 30th, 2023

  • 12:00: Arrival & Registration
  • 1:00: Tournament Begins
  • 6:00: Dinner Social, Prizes, & Silent Auction

Read more: https://www.dropbox.com/s/53gqy664ivlff3h/UPDATED%20-%20Inaugural_Canadian_Field_Hockey_Golf_Classic_Sponshorship_Deck_-_2023__1_.pdf?dl=0