Lynx White

Last night, Sept. 17, a small group of the Vancouver Island field hockey community gathered to have a belated celebration of Pat Hall’s 2020 induction into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.

Read more: https://gvshof.ca/inductees-2/all-inductees/11-builders/336-pat-hall-2020.html

The evening featured an impressive display of articles, photos and memorabilia spanning Pat’s involvement in field hockey. Long time friend Shelley Andrews, who was coached by Hall at Oak Bay High, emceed the event in entertaining fashion, while an impromptu open mic followed. Kind words followed from former VILFHA president Denise McGeachy, current Umpires Association President Alison Sweeten, as well as remarks from Anne Batey, Denise Hall and players who have been coached by or played with Pat. It was truly a community evening with representation from all current clubs as well as past members including Craig Wilson, Liz Munn and Ev Sigalet.

VILFHA hosted the event so that all donations and ticket contributions could support the FHBC Pat Hall Officials Development Award. This award is designed to promote the development of Vancouver Island umpires and technical officials. An award of up to $500 will be allocated each year to successful applicants. In order to be eligible for this award, applicants must be a member in good standing with Field Hockey BC and an active official within National, Provincial or Club based programming.

The award was created by VILFHA when Pat retired from a long, long-standing term on the executive.

VILFHA is pleased to announce that $1,160 was raised last night.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in congratulations to Pat!

See photos from the event last night on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/vancouverislandladiesfieldhockey

Due to umpires moving away and moving into retirement, all island field hockey leagues will be short umpires for this coming season. Those umpires who have not returned umpired about 20% of Spring 2022 games. Gillian Batey will continue to allocate umpires for VILFHA games this coming season but there may be times when she doesn’t find an umpire.

Teams may need to provide an umpire for half a game or a full game using players or capable spectators. The team umpire doesn’t have to be team member, but they need to be competent to blow a whistle and support their other umpire. The allocated umpire will NOT be left to umpire the game by themselves.

If teams aren’t prepared to provide an umpire, then the game will not happen.

To get more certified umpires, Field Hockey BC and Field Hockey Canada are offering umpire courses free to registered members. See FHBC website: https://fieldhockeybc.com/officials/umpire-education/

This is a good chance to understand the rules as a player, too.

If clubs or teams want an education opportunity organized just for them, please contact Alison Sweeten: asweeten@shaw.ca. The Umpires Association need at least 6 people to give a Provincial course. There are several people on Vancouver Island who can do this so don’t be afraid to ask how the Umpire’s Association (VILFHUA) can help with your education.

If you have questions or comments, please contact
_
Alison Sweeten_
President, Vancouver Island Umpire Association (VIFHUA)
asweeten@shaw.ca

Gillian Batey
Umpire Coordinator
bateygk@gmail.com

The season is fast approaching and we would like to draw your attention to the start of season Annual General Meeting. Date, details and zoom link are below. There will be no in-person meeting. Agenda to follow.

Please note: As per 4.1 c) iv. your team will be fined $25.00 for not having a Team Rep at Council Meetings and/or General Meetings

Tentative season start date: Sunday, Sept. 18 in Cowichan, followed by Sept. 24-25 in Cowichan, and then hopefully by Oct. 1 UVic will be open

VILFHA AGM Notice
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 at 7:00 pm
via Zoom

Topic: VILFHA Annual General Meeting (2022-23 Season)
Time: Sep 13, 2022 07:00 PM Vancouver

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uvic.zoom.us/j/83469267739?pwd=ajdWY0lyN2Z2SkNqcHlaYjhZNHAyQT09

Meeting ID: 834 6926 7739
Password: 199990
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Meeting ID: 834 6926 7739
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Questions: vilfha@gmail.com