Why this Program

  1. Pathway to representative teams – High School Varsity Teams, Provincial & University Teams
  2. Focused and committed training by experienced coaches who know the game
  3. Skills taught for appropriate development in each age level and in-depth training for:
    • Set plays including penalty corners (offence and defence), free hits in attack zone etc.
    • Team tactics for press, pocket press, outlets
    • Training for specific positions – goalie, defence, midfield and forwards

Who Should Participate?

Athletes who are committed to field hockey and want to play at the highest level possible.

Athletes who will dedicate themselves to the program’s practice and match schedule.

Depending on the athletes registered, we plan for our teams to play in the highest divisions assigned by the Vancouver Women’s League. Players will be placed on teams based on ability.

About the Women’s League

Athletes must be 13 years old in 2025 to participate in the Women’s League.

The Women’s League field hockey season runs September – March (typically ends before Spring Break) . We ask that all athletes attend training (to build individual skills) and games (to develop team cohesion, consistency and of course to ensure that we have enough players for each game). Inconsistent attendance at practice or the missing of games affects the entire team’s performance. Please let us know early if you have any conflicts that will affect your attendance.

Women’s League Schedule has a break from early December to approximately mid January. The league games typically will not conflict with High School Tournaments & US Thanksgiving Weekend Tournaments as we coordinate byes with the league for these events. Please let us know in advance of potential conflicts you have.

Coaching Staff

Head coaches for the Fall Women’s teams are named as follows:

  • Premier Team and divisional teams – Led by Shiaz Virjee with qualifed, experienced coaches

Assistant coaches and technical trainers will be at all training sessions to support all teams.

Specific goalie training is also provided to our team goalies.

Program Details

League games are on weekends and the league commences the weekend following Labour Day. Training times and locations subject to change due to field availability.

Women’s Teams:

  • Pre-season training at Crofton House School:
    • Tuesday 01 September 6:30 to 8:30 PM
    • Thursday 03 September 6:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Starts after Labour Day weekend on Thursday 10th September 2026.
  • No training or games on Thanksgiving weekend – October 09-12
  • 2 training sessions per week and game
    • Monday & Thursday evenings:  
      • 6:15 to 8:15 PM at Crofton House School. Warm-up with our trainer followed by hockey training

Matches: The League schedules all matches. Please let us know early if you have any conflicts due to high school field hockey tournaments and we will do our best to request these days off or request to play the match on Sunday.

Included, Deadline, Costs & Registration

What is Included:

    • Training – Team Training & Skill Training.
    • Game Coaching – league matches

Registration Deadline & Selection:

  • Registration: Open now
    Cost: $1595 (plus GST)
  • To ensure that young athletes are playing at the appropriate level, please declare the highest division you want to trial for when completing the registration. There is an opportunity to do so in the comments section.

Not included:

Our Programs

Questions?

If you have any questions we are happy to hear from you. Contact Us

Making quality players

Recent Testimonials

Choosing to move our daughter from the local program to Polar Bears Field Hockey was the best decision we made in regards to her development as a player.  Competition level and the speed of the game at this level pushed players to grow.  Dedicated and knowledgeable coaching from Shiaz and Arif allowed our daughter to develop her skills which has now led her to achieve her goal of attending an NCAA Div 1 school in the fall of 2022.  Shiaz’s experience in dealing with post-secondary schools was pivotal in the decision making process.  A big thanks to Shiaz, Arif and the Polar Bears Program!

Colleen & Taka – Parents of Taylor Katsube, NCAA Div. 1 committed - Class of 2022
Choosing the Polar Bears program was a pivotal moment for our family. Shiaz and Arif embraced Saylor and were crucial in her development as an athlete and as a young woman (which is too often taken for granted).

The commitment on and off the field by the coaches, and senior Polar Bears players, was instrumental in developing the skills and mindset to achieve her goal of playing NCAA Div. 1 school. Having just returned from watching my daughter play for University of Maine Black Bears in her rookie season, I could not be more proud of my daughter and thankful to Shiaz, Arif and the entire club for truly enabling her to achieve this goal. The experience of playing for the Polar Bears in the Premier Division was priceless for Saylor to experience the game at speed and made transition smooth to Div. 1

Finally, I would personally like to thank Shiaz for his support of Saylor, and her parents , throughout the university recruitment process. We could not have done it without you.

I strongly encourage anyone looking at the Polar Bears program to join the club even if the drive is long (we were from Port Moody) as it was completely worth it!

Nick Kuefler , Saylor's dad - 2023 U18 Polar Bears

Shiaz, Andrew & the Polar Bears program have been a fantastic part of our daughter’s field hockey development. They have been supportive and encouraging throughout, from starting as a Cub to giving her the opportunity to play Premier Division field hockey, preparing her for varsity field hockey. Shiaz was incredibly helpful with guidance about the different university programs, and seems to know every coach out there! We’ll always be grateful for the advice & help with university programs. Thank you Shiaz, Andrew, Arif & Polar Bears!

Jennifer Baird & Leith Dewar , Parents of Jocelyn Dewar- St. Andrews University class of 2023
Shiaz and Arif absolutely live for field hockey! Their passion for the game is endless and a lifetime of experience is truly evident on and off the field. Their love for the game creates a dynamic atmosphere and the players are always fully engaged.

Shiaz’s insight with the post-secondary recruitment process over the last few years has been instrumental in guiding us through the process of our daughter’s field hockey career. He was with us step by step and it made things so much easier for us. We are so happy to be part of the Polar Bears Family.

Kim & Sinder Gill – Parents of Avani Gill #16, University of Maine 2021

We are very grateful to Polar Bears Field Hockey for the amazing program it has offered Georgia!  It paved the way for her journey from Grade 7 to being recruited to play NCAA Div. 1 Field Hockey.  The coaches are committed and professional, and they care deeply for all of their athletes.  The training sessions, US tournaments and the opportunities to play within higher divisions at a young age were instrumental in Georgia’s development and confidence.  A special thanks to Shiaz and Arif for their guidance and invaluable assistance during the recruitment phase which was daunting, to say the least.   We strongly recommend the Polar Bears program for any young aspiring field hockey players to learn the game, to love the sport and to enjoy the competition!

Gillian and Gavin Reynolds – Parents of Georgia Reynolds , Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA