1. Cross roads for Field Hockey – An Opportunity to pause and reflect

As you may or may not be aware, Field Hockey Canada recently conducted an organizational review – the Board, athlete representatives, our provincial associations and others were interviewed by an external consultant and a number of recommendations were presented to the Board.

The next 6-9 months will serve as a transition period whereby we will not immediately hire an Executive Director to replace Suzzanne Nicholson, but will reallocate some of these funds to several individual contractors who will provide support to us in targeted priority areas. As soon as the details are confirmed over the next few weeks, we will share them with you. In the interim period, please feel free to contact me directly if you have questions.

From a preliminary review of our current strategy and commitments, there are many activities requiring our attention and resources. I believe that for our future success, we will need to focus our efforts on the areas which that deliver the maximum impact for our athletes and our sport overall. For example this includes ensuring that:

Our current commitments to our funders are met. Our mid-year financial status is clearly presented, understood and forecasted against our strategy to the end of the fiscal year. We review and confirm our current strategy and knit the various strategy pieces together inclusive of a critical review of our current priorities, and ways to leverage our current resources. We work with our two national coaches and teams to ensure they are well supported throughout this process.

I know that change can be unsettling, but as many of us know, it can also provide an opportunity to look at how we can operate more effectively together. During this transition period, we will all need to work together to accomplish our desired results. Our ultimate success will not be based upon any one individual, but rather how we can all work collectively to provide the most effective environment for all our members to participate, compete and contribute.

I believe a strong foundation has been built and it is time to take our sport and community to the next level. As I write this, I’m getting ready to meet with a working group looking at our national women's program and pathways needed to support our athletes’ journey to the top. I look forward to working with each and every one of your over the upcoming transition period.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Cicinelli, FHC President

2. Vancouver Fundraiser to Support 2010 Commonwealth Games Athletes

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) will join Avtar Bains, Monika Deol, Global Television sportscaster Squire Barnes and some of Canada’s top athletes to fundraise for Canada’s Commonwealth Games team headed to Delhi, India to compete in the XIX Commonwealth Games from October 3 to 14, 2010.

CGC’s national “Dream it in Delhi” fundraising campaign was launched in 2007 with a goal of raising $3.5 million to help off-set the costs of sending Canada’s contingent to Delhi. CGC estimates that it will cost $10,000 per athlete (expenses include travel and accommodation, medical services, team uniform and media operations) and are asking individuals, organizations and corporations to help support the team through the ‘adoption’ of athletes headed to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Donors receive a tax receipt plus additional benefits and acknowledgments.

“The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the Canada-India relationship through sport,” said George Heller, President of the Commonwealth Games Foundation of Canada. “Avtar, Monika and their committee of volunteers have done a fantastic job with this event, and we are so thankful to the Vancouver business community for its support of the athletes who will represent Canada on the international stage in India in October 2010.”

Members of the media are invited to attend the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Fundraising Celebration to meet athletes and learn more about Commonwealth Games Canada’s plans to help Canada’s top summer athletes excel on the world stage, following the anticipated success of Canada’s top winter athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver.

Where: Shangri-La Hotel, 1128 West Georgia Street, 6th floor (Vancouver)

When: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

What: The evening reception will feature a live Dhol and Bhangra performance, followed by welcoming comments, athlete introductions, and keynote speech by Charmaine Crooks. Refreshments will be served.

Who: Athletes confirmed include:

• Charmaine Crooks, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and five-time Olympian (athletics)

• Annamay Pierse, Olympic swimmer, world championship silver medallist and candidate for Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team

• Jasvir Singh, Olympic weightlifter and candidate for Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team

• Anna Rice, Commonwealth Games and Olympic badminton player, Canadian National Champion

• Ranjeev Deol, Commonwealth Games and Olympic field hockey player

• Bobby Milroy, Commonwealth Games badminton player and former President of the World Badminton Players Federation

• Suzanne Weckend, Commonwealth Games athlete (swimming) and retired triathlete, member of CGC’s board of directors and High Performance Advisory Committee

• Zach Bell, Commonwealth Games and Olympic track cyclist, potential member of Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team

• Wayne Fernandes, Commonwealth Games and Olympic field hockey player

• Arjan Bhullar, Pan American Games Junior champion wrestler, two-time National Junior champion and potential member of Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team.

All athletes will be available for media interviews and photographs throughout the evening. About Commonwealth Games Canada

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.

For further information, please contact: Thomas Jones, CEO Commonwealth Games Association of Canada tjones@commonwealthgames.ca 613-244-6868 www.commonwealthgames.ca

Sandra O'Connell, Member - Event Organizing Committee 604-681-4111 sandra.oconnell@colliers.com

3. FHBC announces Pan Am Youth Training Squads

Field Hockey BC has released the names of the players who have been selected to the training squads for the 2010 Men’s and Women’s Youth Pan American Cups to be held respectively in Mexico and Uruguay.

The Province was rewarded the right to organize the teams who will represent Canada at the events by winning the 2009 U16 National Championships. The Pan Am events serve as the continental qualifiers for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

To view the players that were selected to the squads please visit the Field Hockey Canada website below.

Players Selected

4. FHC announces sites of 2010 National Championships

Field Hockey Canada today announced the hosts of the 2010 Field Hockey National Championships. Victoria, British Columbia, Mississauga, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba were each selected to host the country’s best field hockey talent next year in both indoor and outdoor hockey.

Victoria, British Columbia will be home to the flagship senior men’s and women’s outdoor field hockey tournaments over the Canada Day long weekend. Victoria recently hosted the 2008 World Hockey Olympic Qualifying tournament as well as the 2008 CIS National Championship. Vikes Field on the University of Victoria campus will be the host venue. Calgary, Alberta last hosted the tournaments in 2008 and 2009.

For the second straight year the Under-16 men’s and women’s outdoor field hockey championships will take place at the Iceland Fields in Mississauga, Ontario. Mississauga successfully staged the 2009 version of the event. The tournaments will take place between July 20 and 25, 2010.

The nations top indoor field hockey talent will converge on Winnipeg, Manitoba in late March or early April for the men’s and women’s senior indoor field hockey championships. The exact dates and venue will be announced soon.

The host of the 2010 Under-18 Indoor National Championships is yet to be determined.

5. Suzzanne Nicholson retiring after 27 years of service to Field Hockey Canada

After many years of dedicated service, Suzzanne Nicholson will be retiring from Field Hockey Canada (FHC) on Friday, September 25, 2009. Suzzanne has been an employee at FHC since May 1983, when she began her career as the Technical Director and was later promoted to the Executive Director position. During her 27-year tenure at FHC, she has seen many changes not only to FHC but to the Canadian sport system. She has worked with 9 presidents, 15 national team head coaches, sport ministers, sport consultants, Board members and volunteers… too many to count.

Some of you may not know that Suzzanne has been involved in many aspects of our sport; as a coach for 21 years, both in Manitoba and at Carleton University, as national team manager at the 1982 World Cup and 1984 Olympic Games, as a Canadian level umpire, and as Tournament Director at the National Championships.

Her dedication to the sport has been unparalleled and she excelled in keeping FHC moving forward by ensuring that FHC always operated under a good governance model…not always a favorite topic for the Board or the membership, but her “ensuring that FHC operated under the rules of good governance” is one of the reasons FHC has been able to survive in the ever changing sport climate in Canada.

On behalf of the Field Hockey Canada Board of Directors and our membership, please join me in thanking Suzzanne for her years of service. We wish her all the best in her retirement and enjoying her month of golf in Palm Springs.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Cicinelli, FHC President.

6. Game for The Cure Raises in Excess of $30,000

The Game for The Cure exceeded all expectations by raising in excess of $30,000 in support of the BC Cancer Foundation. The Game featured Team Canada versus the UBC Tournament All stars. The Game, played in spectacular weather at UBC’s Wright field, featured an emotional head shaving of two players, Samantha Smith and Tyla Flexman at the conclusion of the game.

“We felt if we would go ahead and do this, it would raise the stakes and add fire to the fundraising efforts” said an emotional Flexman immediately following her haircut in front of an estimated two hundred family and friends.

With a goal of $20,000 the team raised 150% of their goal. The game featured Team Canada in pink uniforms and all players wearing a pink ribbon of hope for a friend or family member battling cancer.

“I am proud of the team and what they have accomplished in a short period of time and I think this game shows their maturity and leadership in the community “said head Coach Louis Mendonca. “ The tournament itself also gave us a chance to play a lot of young players in pressure situations and practice some new tactics. “

In an upset the Tournament All stars powered by five ex National Team Members and five National squad members defeated the National Team by a score of 2-1. Sensational second half goaltending by National Squad member Bea Francisco turned away nine corners . Down 2-0 at the half Team Canada battled back and applied consistent pressure but could not find an equalizer.

Team Canada now prepares for the FIH World Cup Qualifier in early 2010 and the Commonweath Games in New Delhi, India.

7. Seven Test Super Series Tickets On Sale

Just a reminder, tickets are now available for the Seven Test Super Series that will be taking place this up coming month on October 9th to 24th in Victoria and Surrey, British Columbia. This series of seven games will match up our Canadian Men’s team against a tough team India. These are preparation games for the teams before the World Cup in March and the Common Wealth Games in October of 2010. This is assured to be some great games put on by both teams as they both look to finely tweak their play so they will have the best shot at winning the World Cup. Tickets are available on the Field Hockey Canada website with discounted prices on youth that are under 16 years of age. Ticket packages include a full pass with all 7 games priced at $70, a Victoria pass that will just include games 1 & 2 for $20, and a Surrey pass that will include games 3,4,5,6, and 7 for $50. Your tickets will be available for pick up at the venue, and copy of your confirmation e-mail or photo ID will be Also just another reminder, the Super Series Gala will be taking place on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the beautiful Riverside Grand Ballroom at 231 Burdette St, Richmond, British Columbia. Individual Gala tickets are priced at $125, and Gala full table seats, (10 seats) are priced at $1,000 if you would like to bring some guests along with you. The event schedule will look like this, 5:30 Cocktail Reception, followed by 7:00 Dinner and Auction, and then a 9:00 Dance and After party with En Karma. Your tickets will be available for pick up at the venue and a copy of your confirmation e-mail or photo ID will be required.

Ticket info and event times