Career Reflections: Oliver Scholfield Retires from Men’s National Team

Scholfield’s career characterized by resilience & dedication to improvement

Oliver Scholfield identifies 2018 as the pivotal turning point in his career. Prior to this, he had experienced the ebb and flow of being on the fringes of the national team roster, his potential yet to be realized. From his early days playing for the 2013 national junior team, Scholfield remained dedicated, training and competing fiercely. When he finally made the jump, he never looked back.

Born in Canada but raised in Jersey, UK, Scholfield’s journey to the crust of Canadian field hockey was marked by resilience and determination. It was his return to Canada in 2011, to attend UBC and join the Thunderbirds, that set the stage for his national team trajectory. Yet, the path was anything but straightforward, as Scholfield grappled with adversity, at times contemplating his field hockey aspirations altogether.

“For me, it was realising what I needed to change in my game to improve. If you’re in the training environment, everyone is training the same pieces, it’s hard to catch the guy in front of you,” he said. “But if you’re able to recognize your shortfalls, that gives you a real chance to work on them and improve.”

Throughout his journey, Scholfield acknowledges the support of those who played pivotal roles in shaping his career. He credits teammates like Mark Pearson and Adam Froese for their exemplary leadership, both on and off the field, which contributed significantly to his growth as a player. He said that as he started to gain confidence, he still used the mindset as if he was a fringe player.

“I valued not getting complacent, even up until this past year. I would treat training like I wasn’t a lock on any roster. It allowed me to keep improving and being the best I can be,” he said. “That mentality was still pushing to be the best and be selected every year.”

However, it was the year 2018 that truly marked a shift in Scholfield’s career trajectory. Following the pre-World Cup tour in New Zealand, he found himself with a newfound sense of confidence, a belief that he belonged on the national team. From that moment on, Scholfield didn’t miss a single tour, cementing his place as an important player in the Red Caribou attacking front.

“In 2017-2018, I played in Europe for a season. During that time, I missed Team Canada selection for the Commonwealth Games. I honestly thought this might not ever happen. But by having fun and having a good season in Germany, I think I found what made me good,” he said. “That summer, we hosted some games in Vancouver and I cracked into the national team squad and I was reinvigorated and from there, it was let’s push for the World Cup.”

As he gathered momentum into 2019, Scholfield reminisces fondly on what he considers the peak of his career. The team’s performance, for him, was their best of the entire time he was on the team. From clinching victory at the Hockey Series Finals in Malaysia to securing a silver medal at the Pan American Games, the team was firing on all cylinders. These triumphs set the stage for the dramatic home qualifier against Ireland at Rutledge Field in West Vancouver, an unforgettable moment etched in Canadian hockey history.

Scholfield participates in the 2019 Pan American Games and 2019 Olympic Qualifiers. 

Beyond the victories and on-field success, Scholfield cherished the camaraderie and bonds created with his teammates over the years. From early morning training sessions to post-practice coffee shop visits, these shared experiences made his time extra special beyond just the confines of the field. Many of his teammates have become his closest friends, a testament to the impact of the sport community.

“The camaraderie that comes with being on the team and the reward for the tough times, it’s really special,” he said. “On tour, we spend weeks with some of our closest friends and teammates. That’s a pretty rare thing one gets to do. Having the work and the challenge makes the good stuff so much sweeter. I’ll definitely miss that experience.”

Scholfield is the Executive Director of Racing to Zero, a company that works with sport organizations around the world, helping them reach a more sustainable level. Through this work, Scholfield is looking forward to staying connected to sport and the Olympic community.

“Up until now, that’s been more of a part time role but now it is shifting into more of a full-time thing for me,” Scholfield said. “We’re really well connected in the Olympic community and I’m looking forward to growing that and really seeing if we can have an impact.”

Scholfield finished his career with 105 caps over a decade-long career. His career is characterized by resilience and dedication as he pursued his role on the national team. Congrats Oliver Scholfield on a great career for the Men’s National Team and best of luck in the next chapter.