The sun shines upon Rutledge Field as clumps of kids gather around with their sticks and mouthguards to play and practise the game of field hockey.
The West Vancouver Field Hockey Club unites children of all skill levels to help them create lifelong experiences and memories through leagues and camps. This is where Andrea Gibson is key. Without her, these programs would not be what they are today.
It all started when she was seven years old and playing field hockey in Northern Ireland. From that point on, Gibson's love of field hockey grew, and she inspired others' passion for the game to grow as well.
She is now the head coach of West Vancouver's Field Hockey Club, which is home to more than 2,500 athletes across the North Shore who take part in various leagues and activities through the year, including spring and summer training camps.
Due to the relatively short season of Junior Spring League field hockey, Gibson reasoned that many players do not have opportunities to play, practise and develop their skills throughout the other times of the year. These camps were designed to enable players to refresh basic skills, learn new skills and have fun with a range of qualified and experienced field hockey players.
"Players are introduced to principles in teamwork, fair play and co-operation through participation," explains Gibson. Many of the coaches in these spring and summer camps include players from Canadian and American universities, national teams and teenage players who just want to help out.
Over Spring Break, 13-yearold Monica Gregory had the opportunity to help coach young players at the club and help them develop their field hockey skills. She explains that having elite players and junior players as coaches shows the younger children taking the camps where they can get to if they continue to develop through field hockey.
Gibson strives to intertwine fun and learning in these spring and summer camps to teach fundamental skills of field hockey through amusing games and drills. Through the camps the opportunity to meet new people and create lifelong friendships arises.
"Field hockey is a game for all ages and you are never too old to start playing," says Gibson.
Spring and summer field hockey camps allow children to get active and have fun playing a sport in a supportive environment.
Gibson says her goal is "to ensure that each child leaves with a lifelong love of sports."
Sierra Cordingley and Monica Gregory are Grade 8 students at Rockridge secondary.
