statement completed July 25, 2026
Many in our community are aware of the open letter circulated by the Men’s National Team and the Women’s National Teams (September 2025). The Field Hockey Canada (FHC) Board of Directors has reviewed the concerns raised. This review included legal consultation, engagement with staff and community partners, and a full-day mediation, with ongoing and regular consultations with our athletes.
Our focus throughout has been to listen respectfully, protect all parties, and safeguard the long-term health of FHC and our sport. The Board does not believe that the challenges that face our sport will be solved by Instagram or social media pressure.
The Board would like to affirm its confidence in FHC’s leadership. Throughout a period of significant scrutiny, our staff, particularly our Chief Executive Officer, Susan Ahrens, have conducted themselves with integrity and professionalism.
A recent assessment of our Safe Sport processes identified areas for improvement; however, we have not identified any errors in the way our staff responded in dynamic and challenging circumstances.
The Board also recognizes that we now operate from a more sustainable financial foundation, the result of difficult but necessary decisions made in the interests of FHC’s long-term fiscal health.
We acknowledge that change within sport systems can be challenging, and we respect that members of our community may hold a range of perspectives. However, we feel that while it is important for the Men’s National Team and the Women’s National Teams to communicate their concerns, these concerns must be communicated through the appropriate channels, including through the Athlete Representatives on the Board of Directors.
Personal attacks are not appropriate or productive and do nothing to advance the state of our sport. It is well documented that the challenges facing our sport, from clubs, provinces and the national body, are systemic challenges best addressed through a united effort.
The Board wishes to highlight the ongoing governance review currently underway. The upcoming Special General Meeting is to help us modernize our bylaws, in line with leading practices across the sport sector. We are committed to building governance structures that reflect the trust our community places in us.
We encourage continued respectful engagement but through appropriate governance channels and look forward to continued collaboration with athletes, Members, and the broader community for the betterment of field hockey across the country.
