After the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Chris Wilson retired his international whistle. Wilson has been an FIH International Umpire for 15 years – including three Pan American Games, two Commonwealth Games and two Junior World Cups – for a grand total of 89 international matches.
Umpiring is truly a family affair for Wilson. Both of Wilson’s parents, sister Jennifer and partner Denise umpired. His mother was the first woman to achieve Canadian rating for both men and women at a time when they were separate programs. Chris’ own umpiring career began at the local level in Victoria, BC – extending to the Vancouver League on the mainland. He went on to become a Grade 1 “Crowned” International Umpire with the FIH in October 1996.
Wilson’s contribution to hockey extends well beyond umpiring. He has assumed many roles within the Victoria field hockey community – board member and coach of his sons’ teams in the Victoria Junior Field Hockey Association; President of the Vancouver Island Field Hockey Association; coach of several teams in the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association; mentor for dozens of umpires, many of whom umpire at the national and international today. Chris continues to umpire locally and is an active player for the Rebels Club, a club founded in his parents’ basement 40 years ago.
