The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (GVSHOF) and the University of Victoria Department of Athletics and Recreation are pleased to announce that women's field hockey player, Janet Dawson, as the 10th recipient of the Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award.

In the classroom, Dawson is settling into the business program nicely and is enjoying her prerequisites classes of economics, statistics and mathematics before she decides what core path she wants to head down at a later point.

In her first season with the Vikes, Dawson tied for the team lead with a pair of goals. She also was a threat offensively during the U SPORTS National Field Hockey Championship and helped the Vikes sweep the University of Guelph Gryphons last November at the UVic Field Hockey Turf.

"There isn't much that Janet doesn't do well. She is a well-rounded human that happens to love to play field hockey," said Vikes Assistant Coach Krista Thompson. "As a winger, she is a penalty corner specialist. She is fearless, has the willingness to go into dangerous spots and excellent hand-eye coordination to deflect in shots. Away from the turf, she is constantly giving back to the community."

Dawson doesn't know what it's like to have down time.

During high school, she was elected Student Body President and volunteered in a variety of aspects with her school. Outside of the Mount Douglas Secondary walls, she has spent the past four years volunteering at the Veterans Memorial Lodge Broadmead Care facility. She has also served as an ambassador for a financial awareness group for women. In sport, she gives back to the field hockey community by coaching in the Rising Stars program, along with the junior league in the spring.

She also represents her team on the Vikes Varsity Council.

Dawson was a field hockey star before arriving at UVic. She has played with Field Hockey B.C. and the Island Regional team since 2015 and won one bronze, two silvers and a gold at the national championship level. She also attended a training camp with the Junior National Team in 2017.

"I've known about this scholarship for a while because it is a big deal for people from Victoria. I was extremely excited and grateful that I was chosen. There have been a lot of great student-athletes to win this scholarship before me and I'm humbled to be on this list of winners," said Dawson.

David Bate, whose family has created the generous award, said he believes it is important to support his alma mater.

"The University of Victoria needs the financial firepower and community platform to attract local athletes to its teams," said Bate. "Hopefully this award marks the beginning of a greater opportunity for local kids to get a world-class education while playing on varsity teams at UVic. And, hopefully, their contributions help these teams perform well and enhance Victoria's long legacy of athletic achievements that continues to make Victoria one of the best communities to live in, in the world."

Victoria enjoys a stellar sports history and we celebrate the many athletes, teams and builders who have contributed to that history. The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame honours these people in their displays at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (2500 Blanshard St.) through Gate Three.

Bate Family Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Award – Past recipients

2019-20: Janet Dawson, Field Hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary

2018-19: Lockie Kratz, Rugby, Oak Bay Secondary

2017-18: Shaye Tudor, Rugby, Claremont Secondary

2016-17: Brayden Tate, Rugby, Oak Bay High

2015-16: Harbir Sidhu, Field Hockey, Mount Douglas Secondary

2014-15: Michael Baart, Soccer, St. Michaels University School

2013-14: Stephanie Polomark, Rowing, Belmont Senior Secondary

2012-13: Sarah Douglas, Soccer, Glenlyon Norfolk School

2011-12: Patrick Psotka, Track, Oak Bay High

2010-11: Julia Schmidt: Swimming, Lambrick Park Secondary