Field Hockey Canada offers deepest condolences to the Watkins family and the Australian hockey community.
INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY FEDERATION ARTICLE
FIH is deeply saddened to learn of an on-field incident in the Australian State League which claimed the life of Lizzie Watkins.
The 24-year-old North Coast Raiders defender was hit on the head by the ball deflected off her own stick and passed away on the way to the hospital.
The International Hockey Federation wishes to extend its condolences to the Watkins family and the Australian hockey community for their tragic loss.
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“I know that members of our two national teams and players involved at all levels of our sport are saddened by this tragic event,” Anderson said.
Australia’s men’s team, the Kookaburras, wore black arm bands in the final of a tournament in London overnight as a sign of respect.
Kookaburras player Jamie Dwyer tweeted: “All the Kookaburras thoughts are with the Watkins family after the devastating news. Such a sad day in the hockey world.”
Raiders club president Craig Vallipuram was quoted as saying it was a “terrible and tragic incident and one which has devastated everyone who knew her.”
