On Tuesday, April 9 the Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association honoured and celebrated our 2023-24 annual award winners, hosted at the Juan de Fuca Recreation centre. The awards celebration was held in conjunction with the Spring General Meeting.

The VILFHA executive and team representatives are pleased to announce this year’s award winners highlighted by Hibbert Trophy Most Outstanding Player winner and Division 3 Most Valuable Player Lisa Adamschek, of the Oak Bay Demons. The Christine Trophy that best combines service, ability and sportsmanship was shared by Alanna Martin, of the Cowichan Stellers, and Jen Swaile, of the Rebels Rogues. The Foley Shield for most improved umpire went to Sarah Solaczek, of the Rebels Renegades, while the Trelawney Shield for the Top Junior Player was awarded to Lynx 1’s Ava Winter. Division MVP’s included goalkeeper Robin Fleming (Div 1) from the Flickers, defender Brecken Sales (Div 2) of the Sailors, as well as Div 3’s Adamschek.

League Winners
Penn Trophy (Div 1): Lynx 1
Kelman Trophy (Div 2): Sailors
Jenny John Trophy (Div 3): Stellers

Playoff Winners
Boudreau Trophy (Div 1): not awarded this year
Al Chedd Memorial Trophy (Div 2): not awarded this year
Anne Bridge Memorial Trophy (Div 3): not awarded this year

Most Sportsmanlike Winners
Division 1: Cowichan Flickers
Division 2: Lynx 2
Division 3: Lynx 3 and Oak Bay Devils

Head to the VILFHA Facebook Page to see individual posts on each winner and offer your congratulations: https://www.facebook.com/vancouverislandladiesfieldhockey/photos
View past winners: https://www.teampages.com/leagues/1279/pages/82197

Hibbert Trophy – Most Outstanding Player
Lisa Adamschek, Oak Bay Demons

Lisa has been a standout player for the Oak Bay Demons who was acknowledged by both her team and opponents for the most number of Player of the Game nods in the league at 18 across a season of 18 games played. In addition, Lisa was a pillar for the Demons’ success as the team had a record of 9-4-5 this season with 33 goals for, seven of which game from Lisa. Lisa was a Division all-star last year and was in the conversations for league and division MVP last year as well but this year Lisa was honoured for not only her skill and contributions on the field but her sportsmanship and team-first approach around the field.

Christine Trophy – Service, Ability, Sportsmanship

Alanna Martin, Cowichan Stellers (co-winner)

Alanna is no stranger to the behind-the-scenes work of what makes field hockey tick on Vancouver Island over the years. A member of the Bridgman Cup committee, a committed umpire always challenging herself to learn and grow, a reliable teammate and contributor to her club in Cowichan, there is nothing that Alanna doesn’t have her hands on. This year, in particular, in the passing of her good friend and our league’s great loss, Pat Hall, Alanna stepped up to co-chair the annual Master tournament that Pat run. In addition, Alanna led the charge to having the tournament re-named in honour of Pat. Alanna is a Field Hockey Canada masters player, a committed VILFHA member, a dedicated umpire and a passionate volunteer. The league is grateful and better off for her passion, time and dedication.

Jen Swaile, Rebels Rogues (co-winner)

After a hiatus away from the game, Jen Swaile returned to hockey with a bang. Her impact on the field could be felt immediately as she was able to straddle multiple divisions in a professional and contributing way. Her laugh and joy of the game was immediately felt by her teammates and her opponents and her skills not only helped the team keep possession but her ability to make people around her better was constantly noticed. Jen stepped up big the past two years to coach in the Victoria Junior League and, most notably, join Field Hockey Canada’s master programs abroad to lead as coach. As part of this she has been pitch side involved in player assessments and team organization, all as a volunteer. Her efforts to support the Masters players are so appreciated for such a new program and she is committed to them and the sport in her consistent pursuit of coach education. Jen is also a valuable member of the Rebels Club, participating in all club events possible and organizing and helping out anytime they need her.

Trelawney Shield – Top Junior (U18) Player
Ava Winter, Lynx 1

It has been a year of constant highs for midfielder Ava Winter who entered this season as a U18 National Champion after a stellar performance with the BC Blue team in Brampton, Ontario. A member of Field Hockey Canada’s NextGEN program, Ava was selected to tour with the U18 NextGEN team for a two-week tour in Scotland and Wales. The team went undefeated with four wins and a draw. Ava also compted in the University of Calgary Dinos senior indoor tournament and was named Player of the Tournament. In VILFHA, Ava has been a key part of the midfield line for Lynx 1. Her presence on the field may go unnoticed at first glance, but her tireless work ethic, change of speed, silky distribution skills and ability to anticipate make her such a lethal part of the team that went 9-0-1 in Division 1. On top of being a stand out player, Ava is a fabulous teammate, a joy to coach, a volunteer in the community and an all-round person.

Foley Shield – Most Improved Umpire
Sarah Solaczek, Rebels Rogues

Sarah is a newcomer to the umpiring world but she has quickly embraced the journey ahead. Sarah is at the top of the list for most games umpired this season and across multiple leagues. On top of her commitments as VILFHA president and goalkeeper for the Renegades and sometimes the Rogues, Sarah is giving of her time to umpire all division in the men’s and women’s league. When she was first starting out last spring, she dedicated time over three days of a long weekend to umpire shadow at the Field Hockey BC Stage 2 tournament trials. Never one to back down from an opportunity to get feedback or pursue the next stage of her umpiring journey, Sarah has been a keen and eager new umpire in the league and the sport is better off for it.

Division 1 MVP & All-Stars
Most Valuable Player: Robin Fleming, Flickers

After a long hiatus, the return of a first division team from the Cowichan Club finally made its resurgence. A young team, still struggling to find a consistent core still performed admirably and provided the long-awaited diversity that Division 1 has awaited. A home for young players and returning veterans, the Flickers would not have been ‘in’ as many games without the back-stopping efforts and talents of Robin Fleming, Formerly a member of the Vikes program, Robin brough her U SPORTS national championship-winning confidence to Division 1 and provided great competition for the offensively skilled Lynx 1 and Patriots teams. While the Flickers won only two games this season, score lines were held to a minimum thanks to Robin.

Division 1 All-Stars:
Kyla Kirby, Lynx 1
Mackenna Brown, Lynx 1
Ava Winter, Lynx 1
Lindsay Cole, Patriots
Heather Wheatley, Patriots
Clodagh Moloney, Patriots
Robin Fleming, Flickers
Ashton Aumen, Flickers
Anna Hoffman, Flickers

Division 2 MVP & All-Stars
Most Valuable Player: Brecken Sales, Sailors

With multiple player of the game nods this season, Sailors midfield-defender Brecken Sales was a big part of the team’s return to the top of the standings. This year the team went 11-0-3 to top Division 2 and Brecken’s presence in the middle of the pitch was a big part of that. Capable and willing to play in any position, Brecken’s strong distribution skills, superior tackling and positive energy on the field was felt by her teammates and those up against her. Brecken is a long-time member of the club and always brings her best to the pitch. She works hard, she communicates to her team and she is key at both ends of the pitch on penalty corners. Brecken had an outstanding season and the team’s division title speaks to that.

Division 2 All-Stars:
Caitlyn Mullen, Lynx 2
Monet Thurbide, Lynx 2
Antonia Willers, Lynx 2
Brecken Sales, Sailors
Brandy Craveiro, Sailors
Jeanette Leach, Sailors
Kendra Burley, Cardinals
Kennedy Wipplinger, Cardinals
Rosario Egana, Cardinals
Jen Swaile, Rogues
Elise McKinnon, Rogues
Tennille Cole, Rogues

Division 3 MVP & All-Stars
Most Valuable Player: Lisa Adamschek, Oak Bay Demons

Lisa has been a standout player for the Oak Bay Demons who was acknowledged by both her team and opponents for the greatest number of Player of the Game nods in the league at 18 across a season of 18 games played. In addition, Lisa was a pillar for the Demons’ success as the team had a record of 9-4-5 this season with 33 goals for, seven of which game from Lisa. Lisa was a Division all-star last year and was in the conversations for league and division MVP last year as well but this year Lisa was honoured for not only her skill and contributions on the field but her sportsmanship and team-first approach around the field.

Division 3 All-Stars:
Vanessa Bussiere, Lynx 3
Caitlin Hastings-McNab, Lynx 3
Sunny Jun, Renegades
Anne Webster, Renegades
Hayley Picard, Stellers
Natalie Ellingsen, Stellers
Brittany Pickard, Stellers
Tracye Varian, Pirates
Erica Kjekstad, Pirates
Kendall Sinclair, Pirates
Lisa Adamschek, Demons
Helen Currey, Demons
Natalie Work, Demons
Alice Lam, Devils
Mikaela Wagner-Kulak, Devils

All of the award winners were honoured in person at the Spring General Meeting on April 9 at the Juan de Fuca lower clubhouse. All-star winners were presented with VILFHA crested dry-fit shirts, while major award winners received perpetual trophies and VILFHA crested crewneck sweatshirts. Our thanks to Moreno Stefani and Team Sales for supporting with the t-shirt and sweatshirt awards.

Header photo: Alanna Martin (left) and Jen Swaile (right) receive the Christine Trophy for service, ability and sportsmanship in the league. Credit: Ali Baggott