VICTORIA – Lynne Beecroft, a 15-time U SPORTS national champion, an Olympian, and a four-time hall-of-famer, received yet another well-deserved accolade—a field named in her honour.

On Saturday, October 21, the University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation officially dubbed the CARSA field hockey pitch the Lynne “Buzz” Beecroft field, commemorating her contributions as one of the most decorated coaches in Canadian university sport history.

A crowd of approximately 250 people gathered on the UVic field hockey turf for the official proceedings, which began with a welcome to the territory by UVic President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kevin Hall, followed by a drumming from UVic alumnae Kolette and Judy Cristante and concluded with the unveiling of the new sign in Beecroft’s name.

“It is truly an honour to have this field named after me, I’m pretty sure I could have just pulled up a bed and had this as my second home for many years,” said Beecroft in her acceptance speech. “Honestly, as much as it’s a legacy to have this field in my name, what I have loved the most was just coaching and playing with everyone here, so thank you for this incredible honour.”

A nod to the past inspiring the next generation

Beecroft’s legacy is often summed up by the numbers. As a coach, she amassed 34 national medals (15 of which are gold), coached nearly 40 athletes who have gone on to represent Canada and over 70 All-Canadians, finishing with an impressive overall coaching record of 340-98-89 (wins-losses-ties).

With a career spanning over four decades, Beecroft’s footprint is, quite simply, extraordinary. Her remarkable journey is not only characterized by countless achievements and accolades, but the profound impact she has made on her athletes, colleagues, the community, and the sport. Now, this legacy is set to be permanently enshrined where the journey truly began.

“Buzz has done a masterful job of tapping the wellsprings of potential of her athletes. Every time a Vikes athlete has the opportunity to step on this field, they will be a part of her legacy,” said Krista Thompson, UVic women’s field hockey head coach.

The Lynne “Buzz” Beecroft Field is a fitting tribute to a coach whose influence transcends medals and statistics. It stands as a testament to her lasting impact on the sport and all those fortunate enough to have experienced her passion.

Read more about how Lynne Beecroft’s retirement marks the end of an era: https://govikesgo.com/news/2023/1/16/general-lynne-beecrofts-retirement-marks-the-end-of-an-era.aspx

Stories written by Kelley O’Gradey, Vikes Communications (https://www.govikesgo.com)
Photo Credit: Armando Tura

Registration is now open for the 2024 annual U18 Malcolm Fernandes Memorial Indoor Tournament!

Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
When: January 26-28, 2023
Where: Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan, BC
Format: 6 aside

Maximum of 12 players per team.

Early Bird Registration Fee: $350 per team if paid by December 28, 2023.
Registration Fee: $400 per team after December 28, 2023.
Deadline to register: January 15, 2024 (noon)

Link to register:
https://forms.gle/g8vcaj8eq4sEtbcM8

The Junior National Teams are largely self-funded and dependent on funding sources from sponsors and donors, with athletes and their families having to make a major financial commitment to take part in training and competitions to be at their best in representing Canada on the world stage.

The following tournaments are coming up in December:

2023 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup
Santiago, Chile
December 6th, 2023 to December 17th, 2023

2023 Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
December 5th, 2023 to December 16th, 2023

Please show your support by contributing to our island athletes:

Julia Boraston (UVic Vikes, former Lynx Club and Mount Doug Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/julia-borastons-jwnt-fundraising-2023-24

Libby Hogg (UVic Vikes, former Lynx Club and Oak Bay High Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/libbys-junior-world-cup-journey/

Isabella Green (Calgary Dinos, former Cowichan Club and Cowichan Secondary Graduate)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/field-hockey-canada/p2p/adoptanathlete23-24/team/womens-nextgen/member/isabella-greens-road-to-the-junior-world-cup/

To read more about the teams, the 2023 Junior World Cup, and the fundraiser initiative, as well as to donate to the overall teams, please access the Junior Women’s Team Donation page here: https://fieldhockey.ca/backthepups/

Field Hockey BC is currently accepting registrations for a Provincial Umpire Course that will happen in November, spots are limited! All scheduled courses are operated & instructed by appointed course conductors. Provincial Courses are open only to FHBC Registered Participants.

Provincial Courses consist of two sessions of 3 hours, including theory and exam. Participants are required to attend both sessions to be eligible to write the exam.

Must have taken the Community online course prior. Must be at least 14 years of age. Maximum 12 participant

Date: Thursday November 2 & Thursday November 9, 2023
Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm
Location: Victoria, B.C
Instructor: Chris Wilson
Cost: FHBC $60 + FHC fee $10 + RAMP fee of $1.93 = $71.93

Registration Deadline: November 1, 2023

To register, go to http://fhbcregistration.rampregistrations.com/ and click on the “Camps & Clinics” tab.

For more information please go to our Umpire Education page, or contact eventsandofficials@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia.com

Maddie Hunter of Oak Bay High School is the 2023 winner of the Stephanie Johnston (Doney) Memorial Scholarship. Maddie has been playing field hockey since the age of four and has been an exceptional athlete, student and sports contributor at such a young age. As a student-athlete Maddie juggled a busy academic schedule along with her high school, high performance (provincial and junior national) commitments. She maintained a 95% grade-point average in both grade 10 and 11, was an Honour Roll student in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was a member of her school’s athletic leadership group. Maddie has over come a number of hurdles in her athletics career, most notably an ACL tear, but she was able to return in grade 11 to help Oak Bay win the AAA Provincial Championships.

In 2022 Maddie represented Canada on the U18 Next GEN development squad that played in international series in both Philadelphia and France. Maddie has also been a big contributor to the local community serving as a referee and umpire for soccer and field hockey, respectively, as well as a committed and energetic Victoria Junior league coach. Maddie is not only a stand out player, volunteer and student but she is also a kind, humble and valuable teammate and person. Maddie is now in first year competing and training with the UVic Vikes women’s field hockey team.

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About Stephanie Doney Johnston
Stephanie was a graduate of Esquimalt High School where she excelled at Track and Field and Field Hockey. She went on to complete her teaching degree at the University of Victoria where she was a valuable member of the Vikette’s Field Hockey team. During Stephanie’s teaching career she was the coach of several school teams taking them to the provincial championship level.

Stephanie was an active member in the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association right up until she was diagnosed with leukemia.

As an athlete she excelled in all sports, and could turn her hand to anything. She was competitive, hardworking and inspirational and demonstrated good sportsmanship at all times. As a person, she was loving, genuine, generous and beautiful inside and out. As a mother of three small children, she was devoted; as a friend, unforgettable. She died in March 1991 at the age of 39, but her amazing qualities as a person and athlete live on in the memories of her family, friends and students and are valued by the recipients of the Stephanie Johnston (Doney) Memorial Scholarship.

Each year the Stephanie Johnston (Doney) Memorial Scholarship is awarded at the Bridgman Cup Tournament.

See a list of past winners here: https://www.bridgmancup.com/about