Organizers happy with Championship progress

July 1, 2010

The local organizing committee of the 2010 FHC National Championships have put in a lot of time and work preparing for the five-day, two-tournament event.  It appears all that work is paying off.

“We’ve already had our day of rain,” said local organizing committee chair Gail Williams referring to the showers covering the Thursday morning matches.  “The competitiveness of the games is also increasing which is great.”

Wednesday morning’s Opening Ceremonies were delivered smoothly with all teams present.  Representatives of Field Hockey Canada and Field Hockey BC addressed those in attendance.

It is the first time in over twenty years the city of Victoria has played host to a senior field hockey national championship.  In 2002 it hosted the Under-21 Western Nationals.

This year’s men’s and women’s tournaments are being managed by Tournament Director and Victoria native Brenda Rushton.

“I moved here to go to school and just never left,” said Rushton.  “To see this terrific facility here and be hosting the Nationals in Victoria – for both men and women – is the best.”

“… second only to the Olympic Qualifier,” she half-jokingly added.  Victoria played host to an Olympic Qualifying tournament in 2008.

Field Hockey Canada is thankful to the many volunteers from Victoria and around British Columbia for thus far making the 2010 National Championships an outstanding event.