The McMath Wildcats continue to go out of their way to ensure Richmond’s rich tradition of high school field hockey lives on.
A decade ago, the sport was vibrant enough for the city to have its own very own league. Programs such as McRoberts, Boyd and McMath made regular appearances at provincials. Today, McMath is the only Richmond school still playing and it’s been that way for the past four years.
Parent volunteer coach TJ Sander has been overseeing the team for the last two seasons and now has the help of Kira Carre who is working as a substitute teacher in the Richmond School District. The Wildcats have been a force in the Vancouver league, going 4-1 in the regular season and winning the recent AAA Zone Championship. They will wrap up their season at this week’s provincial tournament in West Vancouver.
“It has been a natural feeling for us to be playing in the Vancouver league and we are lucky to still be playing half our games in Richmond,” said Sander, who also coaches at the club level and for Field Hockey BC’s regional programs. “I have not had a hard time getting enough girls for the team, rather been blessed with some good depth and skill.”
Fortunately, McMath’s roster features players ranging from Grades 8-to-12 — ensuring the program is in good shape for the foreseeable future with Sander committed to coaching for at least the next four years.
A group of 11 returning players is led by senior captain Rachel Kwan and Grade 11 assistants Harmony Sander and Ellie Reid.
“The leadership group brings a great skill set, as well as a passion for the game and a competitive edge,” notes Sander. “All three are key players for our team’s success.”
The Wildcats defence is anchored by the steady play of Andrea Clute and the versatile Alex Gupana. Both are seniors. The emergence of Grade 10 Georgia Booker has resulted in her being used in key offensive and defensive situations.
She is part of a talented junior age group that also includes Grade 9s Dakota Chan and Kate Schmidt, along with Aish Sander, the lone Grade 8 on the team. All three have earned spots in the starting line-up, along with returning goalie Maddie DeGiorgio who is only in Grade 9.
A deep core eligible to return next season also includes Grade 11s Emma James, Hayley Trewin, Lauren Shewfelt, Mikayala Weissler, Alex Passalacqua-Main and Kim German, along with Grade 10 Brooke Booth.
The coaches also have high hopes for Grade 10s Mya Rosser and Hayley Aitkin who will step in for graduating players in 2015.
The Wildcats’ road to the provincials began with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Eric Hamber. That set the stage for a dominating 4-0 win over Magee in the zone championship game, avenging a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season.
“By no means was it an easy victory. Magee has some very dynamic players, and were a tough opponent,” added Sander. “Our girls just played the strongest game of the season thus far as a team. We battled that much harder, and our ball movement and distribution was just awesome.
“Coach Kira and I have stressed strong team play, hard work and playing with intensity all season long. Michael Jordan said it best, ‘Talent Wins Games, But Teamwork and Intelligence Wins Championships.’ This has been our saying and philosophy.”
The Wildcats will be looking to at least duplicate last year’s quarter-final appearance at the provincials which was the best showing in school history.
