Article content“I played soccer, and mom was like, ‘There’s less people who play field hockey, so let’s try that out going into middle school,’” said Thompson. “I did and I fell in love with it.”Article contentThompson has played field hockey ever since and has built an impressive resumé, which includes three years at East Wiltshire, three years at Bluefield High School, three years at UPEI and playing with Field Hockey P.E.I.’s provincial teams at the U15 and U18 levels.Article content“Honestly, I just liked everything about (field hockey),” said Thompson. “I like that it was unique. I like that not a lot of people knew about it because you could do your own thing and when people started to learn about it, they’re like, ‘Oh, I thought that was easy.’”Article contentThompson said there are lots of challenges playing the sport, adding field hockey is a mix of soccer and ice hockey.Article content“When (people) learned about that and all the rules, they’re like, ‘OK, this is a fast-paced complex sport,’ and it’s nice to get the recognition once they find out because it’s always in the background.Article contentArticle content“Then, when something like this comes up, they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re hosting nationals,’ and we’re like, ‘Yes,’ and they’re like, ‘OK, I’ll have to come.’Article content“When they come, they see this is high-paced and is a good game to watch.”Article content The UPEI Panthers’ Charlotte Thompson controls the ball during a practice drill on Oct. 26. UPEI is hosting the Field Hockey Canada U Sports national invitational championship in Charlottetown from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentReturningArticle contentThis year marks the second year in a row the Panthers will compete in the national championship. UPEI went 0-4 (won-lost) at the 2024 tournament in Toronto.Article content“We know what to expect and we are going to use last year as a learning experience and put it into play this week,” said Thompson.Article contentAfter winning four regional championships in a row, Thompson acknowledged the Panthers are going from favourites in the Atlantic University Field Hockey League to underdogs at the nationals.Article content“We always feel a lot of pressure with (the) Atlantic (league) because we’ve been at that top spot for so long,” said Thompson. “It’s nice just to be able to come in and we’re like the underdog, so it’s like, ‘OK, can we make an upset?’Article contentArticle content“I think the mindset we’re going in with is we have to play our best… It’s going to be fun.”Article contentThompson is also contributing to field hockey’s growth in P.E.I. Thompson and a couple of UPEI teammates coach a fundraising grassroots program for the Panthers in the spring featuring players in Grades 4, 5 and 6.Article content“I love it,” said Thompson. “Thirty girls, or more, come out and we just get to share the sport we love.”Article contentThompson said the program’s focus is on fundamentals, which is important for players to learn at a young age.Article content“They come back every year and they’re that much better,” said Thompson. “Then, when they get to middle school, high school, it is just great because they’re already doing in Grade 7 what I was playing at in Grade 9. It’s really nice to see that.”Article contentArticle contentScheduleArticle contentFollowing is the Field Hockey Canada U Sports national invitational championship schedule:Article contentOct. 30Article content2 p.m. – Victoria vs. York.4:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. Dalhousie.Article contentOct. 31Article content2 p.m. – Victoria vs. Dalhousie.4:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. York.Article contentNov. 1Article contentNoon – UPEI vs. Victoria.2:30 p.m. – Dalhousie vs. York.Article contentNov. 2Article contentNoon – bronze-medal game.2:30 p.m. – gold-medal game.Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
P.E.I.s Charlotte Thompson plays unsung heros role for field hockey Panthers
