Field Hockey Canada
2001 CANADA SUMMER GAMES

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Four players of the 1977 Canada Games (St. John's, NF) are involved in the 2001 Canada Games in various capacities: - Jan Meyer, coach for Quebec in 1977, is on the Sport Canada Mission this year. - Paula Parks, player for Manitoba in 1977, is the Technical Director (field hockey) this year; Paula played again in the Canada Games in 1981 then was the Manitoba Assistant Coach in 1985. - Glynis Peters, player for Ontario (Gold Medal) in 1977, is on the Sport Canada Mission this year. - Madge Johnson, player for Manitoba in 1977, is an Umpire (field hockey) this year; for Madge, London is her... 7th participation in the Canada Games: twice as player for Manitoba (1973 and 1977), once as the Manager for Manitoba (1981) and four times as an Umpire (1989, 1993, 1997 and 2001).

(left to right): Glynis Peters, Paula Parks, Madge Johnson, Jan Meyer

1) Glynis Peters, what were the highlights for you at the 1977 Canada Games? On the pitch? Off the pitch? I have a number of strong memories from 1977 (and that was a long time ago!). I share with Madge and Paula a very distinct memory of Pierre Elliot Trudeau opening the Games. He stood on a very high platform and at the end of his speech a helicopter unloaded thousands of small Canadian flags, showering the athletes below. Another memory we all share is of the wildly enthusiastic and inexperienced crowds who cheered madly when a goalie allowed a ball to go into the net from outside the "D"... That whole "hit from inside the circle" idea was just never accepted. Consequently, there were some very perplexed crowds who thought scores were 12-6 when they were actually 1-0. Running down the side lines as a left wing, I heard lots of "pile drive that ball" to encourage me, in strong Newfoundland accents. The Mascot that year was the Newfoundland black dog and they were paraded at every occasion - not as stuffed mascots but as real animals! I also remember Marina van der Merve (our Coach) bringing Abby Hoffman (the Director of Sport Canada at the time) to meet the team... who had decorated the room in their own interesting fashion and were wearing empty cereal boxes as hats! Needless to say, "VDM" was not impressed at our treatment of this illustrious VIP. Lastly, let's not forget those chic little red cotton kerchiefs that were handed out to "accent" our attractive walking out outfits. We had hours of countless fun seeking creative ways of wearing them, all worth a photo and wild laughter. 2) How did you stay involved in hockey after the 1977 Games? After 1977, I continued to play for Ontario and managed a trip to Vancouver where the National Team was centralized before the 1979 World Cup but was a last cut, so headed to France to work on my French. In Paris, I found a great team and played with them for 6 years (winning a French Indoor championship title along the way). I have been a Gopher for years, so back in Canada I continued to play club and then Masters, winning our last Masters' title in 1997 in Halifax with some great team mates like Laney Marshall, Susan Dietrich, Maggie Gibb and, when we needed a goal, Sheila Forshaw leaving her lawn chair. I have coached high school field hockey in Ottawa and loved it and would still play if I could, at whatever level possible. 3) What do you think of the evolution of hockey in the last 24 years? What do you think was the major trigger for change? The game has of course changed dramatically since 1977, with the modified obstruction, no offside and the move entirely to turf. My greatest shock was playing with GOA at the 1995 Montreal Cup... It felt like another world to be on the pitch with recent university grads, completely familiar with the new rule changes. The spinning, the reverse sticks, the knuckles on the pitch and the tolerance of the umpires where before (am I really going to say "in my day" !) it had been pretty draconian. The game flowed differently, the technique was different, it was and has become a different game. For me the "reverse sweep" is the most impressive new move and it must be a great feeling to score a goal that way! Glynis Peters, 1977 Gold Medalist, congratulates the 2001 Finalists, British Columbia and Ontario. (Click on the picture for full size)

1) Madge Johnson, what were the highlights for you at the 1977 Canada Games? On the pitch? Off the pitch? Newfoundland was very friendly. People would stop and give you a ride anywhere. Lots of people watching field hockey, especially when the Newfie's played!!! 2) How did you stay involved in hockey after the 1977 Games? I went on to play for Canada from 1978 to 1981. I am still playing in the Vancouver Women's League 1st Division. I am also an International Umpire. 3) What do you think of the evolution of hockey in the last 24 years? What do you think was the major trigger for change? The game has become much quicker especially being played on astroturf. Many rules have changed since 1977 (offside, etc...) as well as the sticks and balls. In 1977, goalies didn't wear helmets!

	ONTARIO - 1977 Field Hockey Gold Medal
Top (left to right): Marilyn Payne, Terry Wright (Manager), Glynis Peters, Heather Jones, Patricia Cryff-Chamska, Marina van der Merwe (Coach), Cheri Bethune, Catherine Brown, Jean Gourlay, Zoe MacKinnon Bottom (left to right): Donna Allaby, Tracey Dillon, Sheila Forshaw, Carol MacDougall, Heather Kirkpatrick, Marilyn Lee, Donna Olinoski

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