Key Takeaways:
- The Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2025, featuring a diverse group of athletes, coaches, officials, and builders from across the country.
- The inductees include three 1980s Women’s National Team members, a group of four influential coaches, and several individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport as builders and officials.
- The induction ceremony will be celebrated later this year, with comprehensive videos and articles to be released in July and August to honor each member of the class of 2025.
- The inductees have been recognized for their commitment, excellence, and dedication to the promotion and growth of field hockey in Canada.
- The class of 2025 includes athletes, builders, coaches, and officials who have made significant contributions to the sport, including Darlene Stoyka, Michelle Conn, Sharon Bayes, Barb Carmichael, Patricia Clarke, Liz Hoffman, Dru Marshall, Joyce Slipp, Gail Wilson, and Ian Gibson.
Introduction to the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame Class of 2025
The Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2025, a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of field hockey in Canada. The class includes athletes, coaches, officials, and builders from across the country, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion and growth of the sport. The Hall of Fame chair, Mary Cicinelli, notes that this group reflects individuals whose excellence and dedication have contributed to the success of field hockey in Canada.
Athletes Entering the Hall of Fame
Three athletes are entering the Hall of Fame this year, all of whom were members of the 1980s Women’s National Team. Darlene Stoyka competed for Canada at the 1983 World Cup and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where the women’s field hockey team achieved a historic 5th-place finish. Michelle Conn is one of Canada’s most influential hockey players and another key athlete from that golden era of the women’s national team. Conn played 93 matches for Canada between 1983-92, served as co-captain from 1989-92, and led the team to a historic bronze at the 1986 World Cup. Sharon Bayes was Canada’s goalkeeper during the 1980s and was instrumental in Canada’s 1986 bronze medal at the World Cup. She logged some crucial performances at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games where Canada finished inside the top six on both occasions.
Builders of the Sport
Barb Carmichael has been instrumental in advancing field hockey across Canada for over 40 years. As a coach, manager, official, and administrator, she built robust programs at all levels in her home province, Prince Edward Island. She served as PEI Field Hockey president and PEI School Athletic Association commissioner over decades. Patricia Clarke was a leader who helped shape the global future of Canadian field hockey. As Senior Vice President of the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA), she chaired the steering committee for the 1979 World Championships in Vancouver and later joined the Supreme Council negotiating the historic merger of IFWHA and FIH.
Coaching Excellence
Four influential coaches are being inducted into the Hall of Fame as a group. Liz Hoffman, Dru Marshall, Joyce Slipp, and Gail Wilson created Regional High Performance Training Centres across the country, which contributed to Canada’s unprecedented success in the 1980s. Their collaboration led to Canada securing World Championship silver (1983), bronze (1986), and Olympic qualifications in 1984, 1988, and 1992, elevating Canada to second in the world rankings. Their leadership built the foundation of Canada’s modern high-performance system, inspiring generations of athletes and coaches and redefining excellence in Canadian sport.
Official Contributions
Ian Gibson has been a cornerstone of Canadian and British Columbia field hockey for over five decades, excelling as an official, coach, and builder. Gibson chaired the Field Hockey Canada Umpires Committee and officiated internationally, earning FIH caps at events including the 1979 Pan American Games and Junior World Cup. He also launched a grassroots program that transformed the South Okanagan into a thriving hockey hub. His leadership extended to hosting major tournaments, mentoring players, and shaping umpiring standards nationwide.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
Field Hockey Canada will dedicate time in July and August to launch comprehensive induction videos and articles celebrating each member of the Class of 2025. Congratulations to everyone on their induction. To visit the hall of fame and see previous induction classes, please click here. The Class of 2025 inductees include Darlene Stoyka, Michelle Conn, Sharon Bayes, Barb Carmichael, Patricia Clarke, Liz Hoffman, Dru Marshall, Joyce Slipp, Gail Wilson, and Ian Gibson.
