The final score was 2-0 Sunday for the Tri-City Eagles women's team over a select group of high school all-stars.
The real winner was the BC Cancer Foundation.
The 3rd annual Tri-Cities Field Hockey Game for the Cure at Cunnings Field netted two tallies and superseded the event's real goal -- raising more than $3,000 for the charitable organization.
With an organized and dedicated team of classmates, Samantha McIlwrick -- an avid field hockey player/umpire and grade 10 student from Port Moody secondary school -- co-ordinated the 2011 event.In fact it was Sam'ssister, Nicola, who was originally inspired to organize the inaugural Game for the Cure community event in 2009.
"The Game for the Cure [in the] Tri-Citieshas become a great grassroots community event for us," Sam McIlwrick said. "The high school all-star players really look forward to competing in this game and working together to give back to our game and community. Raisingmoney for a great organization like the BC Cancer Foundation makes it all so worthwhile.
"Cancer has touched so many Canadians that finding thecure would be so amazing....we really appreciate the opportunity to help support the BC Cancer Foundation and the great work that they do." One of the Game for the Cure highlights continues to bethe halftime pink ball-toss for players to earn a chance to winseveral door prizes including jewelry, clothing autographed by members ofthe Canadian Senior Women's National field hockey team and gift certificates from the Field Hockey Shack. A pink field hockey stick was donated by the Tri-City Eagles field hockey club and awardedin a separate raffle.
Additionally, theTri-Cities high school that earns the most donations through events such as bake sales and fundraisers, will win atraining session provided bythe national women's field hockey team in 2012.Currently,it's a close competition between Dr. Charles Best and Port Moody for the honour. The finalannouncement will be made soon after the eventdonations cut-off dateofDec. 15, at which time a cheque presentation will be made to the BC Cancer Foundation. Online donations can still be made post event at http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/fieldhockeygameforthcuretricities2011.
VELJACIC THE VICTOR
Sydney Veljacic, a Coquitlam resident and Gleneagle secondary student, has been chosen Field Hockey BC's Junior Under-16 player of the year, it was revealed earlier this week.
"Sydney is the sort of player a team can count on when the pressure is on," Team BC head coach Bubli Chohan said in a press release. "[She] is reliable, coachable and has a good skill set... a quiet leader who leads by example and is thoroughly deserving of this recognition."
Veljacic's Talons, along with the Heritage Woods Kodiaks and Dr. Charles Best Blue Devils, are competing this week in the B.C. AAA high school field hockey championships in Kelowna.
