A successful coach at all levels of the game, De Souza gets the nod as sole inductee in class of 2024
Field Hockey Canada is excited to announce the induction of John De Souza into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame. John is inducted in the category of Coach. He is the sole-inductee in this year’s 2024 class of the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame. With a coaching career spanning over four decades, De Souza’s contributions to the Canadian hockey community have been extraordinary.
De Souza represented Canada at the 1995 Pan American Games and played for the national team for seven years. As a coach, he led the men’s national indoor field hockey team to a seventh-place finish at the 2007 World Cup in Vienna, Austria, and was an assistant coach for the gold-medal-winning Men’s National Team at the 2007 Pan American Games, which qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has sunk time into both the men’s and women’s indoor games as well as serving in a coaching capacity for the national outdoor teams as well, showing his versatility as a coach and mentor.
De Souza has been a cornerstone of the University of Toronto field hockey program since 1990. Serving as an assistant to legendary coaches Liz Hoffman and Beth Ali, De Souza played a pivotal role in guiding the Blues to 13 OUA championship titles, CIS bronze and silver medals, and CIS gold medals in 2007 and 2010. He retired in 2017 after 10 seasons as head coach of the program.
De Souza’s dedication extends beyond the field. He has served as an assistant coach with the Canadian junior men’s field hockey program and held board positions with Field Hockey Ontario, including president of the board. His commitment to the sport and the athletes he has mentored is evident in his philosophy of transforming teams into families, ensuring the success of his programs both on and off the field.
De Souza’s induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his enduring impact on Canadian hockey. His legacy as a player, coach, and mentor will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
Congratulations, John!
