Field Hockey Ontario is happy to share the fifth of many posts in our new series of content titled "Where are they now?" This series will highlight alumni from FHO, their playing, coaching, and umpiring careers, and what they are doing now. We are happy to introduce our fifth individual, Ken O'Connor.
Please enjoy this write-up on Ken's Field Hockey experience and what he does in the present, as written by Ken himself.
Field Hockey is Ken’s lifetime sport starting when he was 11 years old in Melbourne, Australia. He has participated as a player, a coach, an administrator, an umpire, and as a technical official for over 60 years.
The highlights of Ken's field hockey career are:
The net result is lots of wonderful memories and friendships across Canada and the USA and around the world. He now keeps in touch with field hockey through his umpire son (Jeremy), the internet, and his role on the FHO Discipline Committee. He is a keen golfer and an avid pickleball player.
Playing
1955 - 1969: Hawthorn Hockey Club, Scotch College, Old Scotch Hockey Club, and the University of Melbourne, including participating in two Australian university championships.
1970 - 1988: Huronia, Ookpiks, Team Ontario at two national championships (1971 and 1972), and the World Masters Tournament in London with Ookpiks in 1986.
Coaching
1976 - 1984 and 1986 - 1989: L’Amoreaux C.I. – OFSAA champions 1981 and 1982, coached Sandra Levy, Lisa Lyn, and Joel Brough – Canadian Olympians
1986 - 1992: Toronto Junior Jets with Derek Sandison – two players went on to play for Canada – Scott Sandison and Robin D’Abreo and one player became a Canadian National umpire – Jeremy O’Connor
1990 - 1992: R.H. King C. I. in Scarborough, ON
1998: The OFSAA Award for Leadership in School Sport
Administration
1970’s and 80’s: Various roles with the Canadian Field Hockey Umpires Association including Presiden
1989 - 1992: Vice President for Umpiring, Canadian Field Hockey Association
1990 - 1992: Member of the Steering Committee for the amalgamation of the CFHA and the CWFHA into Field Hockey Canada
1990 - 1996: Chairperson OFSAA Field Hockey Committee
2014 - Present: Member of FHO Discipline Committee
Umpiring
1972 - 2013: Canadian National Championships, OUA games and Championships, CIS Championships, OFSAA Championships, Ontario Summer Games, US National Festivals, Disney Showcases, California Cups, and innumerable club and high school games
1978 - 1990: Approximately 75 international matches including the 1990 World Cup, the 1984 Olympic Games, the 1983 and 1987 Pan Am Games, and the 1989 Junior World Cup
Technical
1976: Statistician at the Montreal Olympics
1990 - 2016: TD, TO, Judge at Canadian National Championships
1990 - 2019: Umpire Manager at National Championships, the CAC Games, OFSAA championships, and Disney Showcases
2015: Statistician at the Toronto Pan Am Games
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