Judy Broom was a legendary Field Hockey Administrator in Canada
In the Builder’s category of this year’s Hall of Fame, Field Hockey Canada is thrilled to induct Judy Broom for her outstanding contributions to the sport. Broom’s impact is marked by over 33 years of dedicated service as a player, volunteer, council member, staff member, and executive director. Her passion and commitment have been pivotal in advancing field hockey in Canada.
Broom’s journey began in Croydon, England, where she discovered field hockey at age 14 while playing at Shirley High School and her local club. “She played regularly for the club every weekend. There was a big tournament at Ramsgate on the southeast coast, which she attended every year. Judy just loved hockey,” recalls Eric Broom, her husband.
At 22, Judy and her husband Eric moved to Canada immediately after their wedding in 1964. Judy quickly immersed herself in the local field hockey scene, joining the North Vancouver Field Hockey Club and volunteering with the BC Women’s Field Hockey Federation.
Throughout her career in Canadian field hockey, Judy worked closely with fellow Hall of Famer Jenny John. John expresses great pride in seeing her colleague and friend recognized. “We were so compatible—two different personalities who worked exceptionally well together for over 25 years. Judy was the perfect executive director with her wide range of skills, while I focused on the technical side. It’s fitting that Judy is being inducted into the Field Hockey Hall of Fame this year, alongside her recognition in the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. She is truly special,” says John.
Judy’s support extended to her husband’s work with the National Coaching Certification Program, where she typed over 10,000 coach forms. In 1979, Judy became the first full-time paid Executive Director of the BC Women’s Field Hockey Federation. She organized numerous significant events, including the 1979 International Women’s Field Hockey Championship at UBC and the Vancouver International Tournament. In her honor, the tournament continues to award the “Spirit of Judy Broom Award.”
“Judy’s love for the game, her passion for athletes of all ages, and her infectious enthusiasm for organized sport made a lasting impact. Her spirit was felt for nearly three decades,” said Mark Saunders, Executive Director at Field Hockey BC.
Later in her career, Judy played a key role in merging the separate men’s and women’s governing bodies into what is now Field Hockey BC and Field Hockey Canada. Judy also helped secure the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers in Victoria but sadly passed away before she could witness it. Her legacy as a major builder for Field Hockey Canada remains unforgettable.
As Judy Broom is inducted into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame, her remarkable contributions and enduring legacy are celebrated. Her story exemplifies how dedication, passion, and a commitment to nurturing others can profoundly shape the world of field hockey.
