FH: Basra headlines major award winners

Oct. 22, 2023 - University of British Columbia's Sanehpreet Basra has been named the conference's Field Hockey Player of the Year.

Basra highlights the major award winners announced by the conference Sunday, following the conclusion of the Field Hockey regular season. Joining her are Goalkeeper of the Year, UBC's Hannah Rumble; Rookie of the Year, Victoria's Rebecca Stone; Umpire of the Year, Tyler Klenk; and Gail Wilson nominee, Calgary's Jadyn Campbell.

In addition to the major award winners, the conference has also released its roster for the 2023 Field Hockey All-Star team.

It came down to the final weekend of the regular season, but the Victoria Vikes claimed the 2023 CW Field Hockey Championship for the fifth straight season. The Vikes finished in top spot with a 4-1-3 record and will now head east to participate in the U SPORTS Championships, Nov. 2-6 at the to-be-determined OUA champion.

AWARD WINNERS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sanehpreet Basra (UBC)

Midfielder
​Fourth-year
​Hometown: ​ Delta, B.C. ​
​Faculty: Arts

Basra was instrumental to the Thunderbirds success, helping them battle through adversity and stay in title contention until the very last weekend of the regular season.

The fourth-year midfielder was a force for the T-Birds all season, using her tremendous vision and play-making ability to lead the UBC offensive attack. Alongside her offensive contributions, arguably more important was her reliability as a key defender. Her coaches praised her calmness and composure under pressure, adding that she has a unique ability to settle her teammates during tense in-game moments.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Rebecca Stone (Victoria)

Midfielder
​First-year
​Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
​

It's not easy to make an immediate impact as a first-year player on a team that has enjoyed a remarkable run of success, but Stone stepped in and did just that. The first-year student-athlete made a seamless transition to the university game, providing dependable play in the Vikes midfield. Her incredible rookie year was capped off in a special way during the final weekend of the regular season, as she helped the Vikes claim the 2023 Canada West championship with a pair of wins over UBC.

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Hannah Rumble (UBC)
​

Fourth-year
​Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
​Faculty: Arts

Rumble claims the award for the second year in a row after once again being instrumental to her team's success, keeping the Thunderbirds in contention for the conference championship right up to the final weekend. Highlights of her season include a pair of shutouts against Calgary on Oct. 14 and 15.

The fourth-year goalkeeper was stingy all season, showing a determination to never give up on the ball, resulting in big saves in key moments. Rumble put up a wall for the T-Birds, giving her team confidence knowing she provided a dependable last line of defence. Her ability to communicate and direct defenders contributed to UBC's formidable defensive structure, with her coaches lauding the positive energy she brought to the field each and every game.

GAIL WILSON AWARD NOMINEE: Jadyn Campbell (Calgary)

Defender
​Third-year
​Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
​Faculty: Arts

Campbell has been named the Canada West nominee for the U SPORTS Gail Wilson Award, which recognizes outstanding contribution to sport, academics and community.

Dinos head coach Jenn Swagar says Campbell is one of the kindest, open minded and compassionate athletes she's ever had the privilege to coach.

"Her respect for others is one of the main reasons why she is so integral to the culture building of this young team," said Swagar. "In my first-year coaching Jadyn, her compassion and concern for others often lead to emotional turmoil and pain for her and negatively impacted her health and play. Together we have moved in a direction and role where she feels impactful, and can still share her genuine love of life and everyone without taking away from her abilities. This example is one that is invaluable and so genuine, and it embodies everything I want the Dinos to personify."

Swagar describes the third-year defender as authentic, hardworking, honest, compassionate and extremely in tune with the people around her.

Named one of the team captains, Campbell showed tremendous poise both on-and-off the field. Swagar describes her as one of the major planners and contributors to various fundraising and charity events. On top of her studies and student-athlete obligations, Campbell is also highly involved in her church community, volunteering regularly to help with church and community outreach events. 

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jenn Swagar

Swagar led the Dinos to their best finish in recent memory, highlighted by winning their first conference match since 2011. This marks her fifth Canada West Coach of the Year selection of her career.

Now in the second year of her second stint with the Scarlet & Gold, Swagar helped the Dinos win their first conference game in over a decade this season with a shootout win over Victoria. The eighth-year head coach guided her team to a 2-4-1-1 record this year following an 0-8 mark a season ago.

UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Tyler Klenk

Klenk is no stranger to this award, as he is once again recognized as the 2023 Canada West Umpire of the Year. Klenk brings a wealth of experience as a member of the International Hockey Federation (FIH)'s Pro League Panel of umpires and that experience has been more than evident on the pitch. This season was particularly important for Klenk in the lead up to his participation at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

2023 ALL-STARS

MID - Sanehpreet Basra (UBC)

MID – Maeve Connorton (VIC)

MID/DEF - Madison Gaffney (CGY)

DEF - Isabella Green (CGY)

DEF/MID - Libby Hogg (VIC)

MID/FOR – Annika Kleinschmidt (VIC)

FOR - Kodie Kutyn (CGY)

GK - Alana Madrid (CGY)

GK - Hannah Rumble (UBC)

FOR - Mikayla Stelling (UBC)

MID - Alix Vanry (UBC)