FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
York University Athletics & Recreation is proud to formally announce that it will be the host venue for the 2024 Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship on the turf of York’s historic Alumni Field.
The tournament, which will run from Oct. 30-Nov. 3, takes on a new identity under the leadership of Field Hockey Canada, the national governing body for field hockey in Canada. This year’s event sees the number of teams double from two to four, once again becoming a truly national entity, with teams from the OUA, Canada West, and, after several years, Atlantic University Sport.
The event will see a round-robin format determine medal game participants, with each of the four teams playing each other once. The top two finishers will play for the gold medal, while the bottom two will play for bronze.
Susan Ahrens, Chief Executive Officer of Field Hockey Canada, says the transition of the Canadian university championship to a Field Hockey Canada property aligns seamlessly with the core principals of the organization and will help grow the game nationally at all levels.
“This is an extremely important pathway both for our student athletes in their lifelong involvement in the sport as well as those wishing to perhaps one day represent Canada on the international stage,” said Ahrens. “We are extremely pleased to have Atlantic University Sport taking part and have representation from university conferences across the country.
“Such inclusivity is aligned to Field Hockey Canada’s values, with the new model delivering diversity, equity and inclusion, which are at the heart of our approach. The inclusion of universities from coast-to-coast is much needed for the continued growth and development of the sport.
“FHC’s leadership of the university championships is a vision to make the Canadian University Championship an attractive proposition for all aspiring student-athletes, inclusive of both development and performance,” Ahrens continued. “In doing so, the long-term development of the student-athlete, as well as that of officials, coaches and management teams will be nurtured, valued and secured for years to come.”
Steven Chuang, Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation, York University, says hosting this event is a key initiative for the department in upholding its mandate.
“We are proud to be partnering with Field Hockey Canada to host the 2024 Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship,” said Chuang. “This Invitational Championship aligns directly with Athletics & Recreation’s core mission and values, which is the development of student-athletes who embody both academic and athletic excellence.
“In hosting this event, Athletics & Recreation is reaffirming its commitment to elevating the student-athlete experience, contribution to the university’s reputation for excellence, and strengthening the bond between athletics, academics, and community engagement at York University.”
Alex Dominato, York University’s Director, Athletics, believes hosting the tournament raises the profile of the Lions field hockey program across the country.
“Hosting the inaugural Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship is a significant milestone for our field hockey program, showcasing its continued prominence on a national stage,” Dominato said. “This event not only continues to elevate the program’s visibility across Canada but also reinforces York’s reputation as a hub for high-performance field hockey. By hosting elite-level competition, the Lions attract top talent, create opportunities for student-athletes to compete against the best, and foster stronger connections with Field Hockey Canada. Additionally, it provides the team with invaluable home-field advantage, inspiring future generations of players and contributing to the long-term development and success of the program on a national level.”
Please head to fieldhockey.ca for more information. All media inquires should be directed to Ben Browne, Representative, Sport Information, York University at bbrowne@yorku.ca.