The North Shore's extensive field hockey community will say goodbye to one of its pioneers tomorrow at a memorial for Lawrence Boothroyd.
Boothroyd, born in England in 1920, died peacefully Dec. 8 at Lions Gate Hospital after suffering a stroke. The longtime West Vancouver resident partnered with Hugh Fraser to co-found the West Vancouver Field Hockey Club in 1968. Citing a lack of opportunities for girls in sport, the pair held a Jamboree and signed up 120 girls in one day, kicking off a club that has grown to be one of the largest in North America.
"He was ahead of his time and he was one of the best teachers I ever had," stated current WVFHC board member Jo-Ann Harrington in a note to the North Shore News. "He is a huge reason so many girls are playing field hockey today and I will be forever thankful for his influence on my life."
The memorial will be held Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. at West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Ave.
