Former Canadian Women’s National Team member Debra Barnett (née Covey) has been inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame. Her induction will be commemorated at the Alumni Awards ceremony on Thursday, September 24th in Edmonton.
Barnett has devoted a large portion of her life to field hockey in Canada.
After serving as the captain of the University of Alberta Pandas volleyball team, she joined the Pandas field hockey team and began an illustrious career.
Barnett’s career with Canada spanned from 1984 to1994 and resulted her playing an astounding 109 international matches, which puts her in a select group of women who have played 100 matches or more.
She competed on the Women’s National Team when it was at its peak, taking part in two Olympic Games (1998 in Seoul, and 1992 in Barcelona) and winning a bronze medal at the 1984 World Cup of Hockey. She also won two medals at the Pan American Games (bronze in 1987 and silver in 1991).
After her playing career, she went on to coach field hockey. She was at the helm of the University of Calgary before her travels took her to the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, where she now coaches the Newtown City Hockey Club in Geelong.
At the university level, Barnett was once named the University’s Female Athelte of the Year. An all-round athelte, she played volleyball, field hockey, and was an exceptional ice hockey goaltender.
In 1999, Barnett was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and on Thursday will be honoured for her induction into the University of Alberta’s Sports Wall of Fame.
On behalf of the Canadidan field hockey community, Field Hockey Canada congratulates Debra for all her success and her tireless work to grow the game of field hockey in our country.
