Field Hockey Canada Update

October 21, 2009

The 7 Test Super Series

I would like to extend a special “thank you” to all of the volunteers and sponsors who have been involved with the Test Series. I had the opportunity to watch two games over the past weekend and attended the Gala dinner, along with 400 hockey friends and alumni.  It was a wonderful night of celebrations and a great example of what FHC and the many partners can do together. The Gala included a silent and live auction, with the money raised being directed towards men’s junior programming.  Please follow the Test Series results on the FHC web site.

National Office

As I mentioned in my prior note, the next 6-9 months will be a period of transition in which we will look at how we can operate effectively and ensure our long term sustainability.  There are several different areas which require attention and thus, we have contracted two individuals to start this work.

I would like to introduce Karen O’Neill.  Karen will work with and provide support to the FHC Board of Directors, staff, and Provinces. The key areas Karen will focus on will be the development of a working organizational model for FHC, supporting the integration and implementation of the FHC strategy, support of the National teams, and ensuring key relationships within the sport sector are supported.  Karen has been both a volunteer and staff member within the sport sector for a number of years, including most recently, CEO of Commonwealth Games Canada, and COO of the Rick Hansen Foundation for the past 5 years in Vancouver. 

Working with Karen will be Andrea Guzzo who will focus on the areas of resource development and marketing.  Andrea will work closely with those volunteers engaged in this area, to help support and augment current efforts. For eight years Andrea managed the Commonwealth Games Foundation.  She acted as the Executive Director and sat on the Foundation Board.  She wrote and designed the sponsorship package to attract corporate funding; and also facilitated meetings with potential donors and serviced existing sponsors. During her time there, she raised $1.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for Canadian athletes to represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England (2002) and in Melbourne, Australia (2006).

Both Andrea and Karen have just started their work with us and updates will be provided to you as work progresses.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both Ian and Mary for their continued support and managing the FHC national office throughout this time period.

Field Hockey Canada Board Meeting

At the board tele-conference meeting held Monday evening, October 19th, the Board continued to work with the provinces on the CIS partnership.  The new CIS proposal will be submitted to the CIS Board of Director in early November.  Work also continued on a number of sponsorship agreements with the IHG Group and the BC Milk Board. 

Please feel free to contact me should you have questions or provide me with any comments.

Respectfully submitted

Mary Cicinelli, FHC President