Polar Bears Plus – Small Group Skills Training

Polar Bears Plus is a specifically designed skills training created under the guidance of the former Canadian Men’s National Team Olympic and World Cup Coach, Shiaz Virjee

Overview

Polar Bears Plus is an exclusive High Performance skills training program. Our Plus Program is organized using small groups for itimate, immediate, and highly engaged individual player feedback (4-8 athletes maximim per coach).

Polar Bears Plus is a step-by-step targeted training plan designed for athletes to get a step ahead of the competition.

Polar Bears Plus will develop a training plan for athletes and provide feedback throughout the session to each athlete to track and ensure improvement throughout each session and the program.

Polar Bears Plus will ensure high intensity with high tempo and consistent training to build skills and dynamic body movement to propel our athletes to the next level! Each athlete is expected to be committed to the training so that she can attain proficiency with each skill.

The training is athlete focused in a small group setting to ensure progression and to build confidence. Our goal is to make sure every athlete grows her knowledge of the game, builds tactical awareness and fitness level.

Who Should Participate?

  • This program is for girls in grade 5 and above that are serious about taking their skills to the next level.

Coaching Staff

  • Polar Bears athletes will be coached by select high performance coaches.

Training environment details:

  • Spring Program runs from mid-April to June (see below). No Training on Friday before Victoria Day long weekend.
  • The focus is on individual skills training and feedback from our top level coaches.
  • Athletes will be grouped by skill level and progression to different groups is based on skill proficiency.
  • Training period: Training may be adjusted due to weather
    • Two programs are offered: (No Training on Friday before Victoria Day long weekend)
    • 6 weeks – Friday 10 April to Friday 22 May.
    • 9 Weeks – Friday 10 April to Friday 12 June.
    • Training times 5:15 to 6:45 PM.
    • Training at Crofton House School – water based turf field.

Details, Registration Deadline & Costs:

  • This program is for the serious field hockey player who is focused on skills development.
  • There is a strict limit for the number of athletes due to space limitations on the field.

Not included:

  • Polar Bears Training kit
  • Please make sure your child brings a hockey stick, mouthguard, shinguards and a water bottle.

Please note athlete date of birth is determined as of 01 January 2026.

Our Programs

Questions?

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

Making quality players

Recent Testimonials

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

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

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

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