We are deeply honored today to Induct Barb Carmichael into the PEI Sports Hall of
Fame in the Builder category.
As we reflect on her incredible contributions to field hockey on
Prince Edward Island, we can’t help but think of the thousands of women and girls across the
Province whose lives have been shaped by her dedication, passion, and sheer grit. Barb’s
impact goes far beyond the sport—she has built a foundation of opportunity, identity, and
resilience for generations of athletes and coaches, and her influence can be felt in every corner
of our community and across generations of women athletes.
Looking through photos for this nomination, we were struck by how many images of female
athletes there are—smiling faces, action shots, grassroots camps, National and Atlantic
championships, team travel shots, award banquets, memories, and moments of pure joy. But
what really stood out to me were two things: first, that Barb is often absent from those photos
because she works tirelessly behind the scenes, and second, just how many photos she is
in—smiling and surrounded by strong, empowered young women. That’s because she is the
ultimate builder: a builder of sport, a builder of young women, a builder of opportunity.
Barb has
not only opened doors for athletes on this island, she has kicked those doors wide open and
fought tirelessly to keep them open and bring others through. Her legacy is about more than just
field hockey—it’s about paving the way for future generations of athletes, coaches, and leaders.
Every time an athlete picks up a field hockey stick on PEI, it is because of Barb. Every time an
athlete gets in a car or boards a plane for a tournament, it is because of Barb. Every time an
athlete or coach gets an opportunity to take their performance to the next level, it is because of
Barb. She has been the driving force behind every opportunity, every moment of growth, and
every achievement in the sport of field hockey on this beautiful island.
Barb’s impact on my (Katie’s) own career as a field hockey player is something I will never
forget. Throughout my journey—from playing for the Junior Women’s National Team to my time
as captain of the Canadian Senior Women’s Field Hockey Team—Barb was always behind me,
working to ensure I had the resources and support I needed to succeed. She was relentless in
finding funding to lessen the financial burden of competing at the national level, and she made
sure I had access to physical training when I was home on PEI.
Field hockey, as a sport, has faced significant challenges in Canada, especially after being
excluded from the 2009 Canada Games, which led to many provinces losing their programs. At
one point, the national championships consisted solely of BC, Alberta, Ontario, and PEI. For a
small sport in Canada’s smallest Province, it is a remarkable achievement to be one of four
Provinces competing. Thanks to Barb’s relentless commitment, PEI has not only maintained its
presence on the national stage—we have thrived. Field hockey in PEI didn’t just survive those
tough years; it blossomed. That’s all because of Barb.
Barb’s passion for the sport and her dedication to it are unmatched. For over four decades, she
has been a cornerstone of our athletic community, leaving a lasting impact on both the sport of
field hockey and the lives of countless athletes. Many of us, ourselves included, have had the
privilege to represent our Province and Country at the highest levels, or have gone on to play at
the University level.
As an athlete, Barb represented PEI with distinction at two Canada Games (1969 and 1973)
and was a proud member of the UNB Varsity Red Sticks. As a coach, Barb led provincial teams
to impressive finishes, including a fourth-place result at the Senior National Championships in
1983, which earned her the Sport PEI Coach of the Year award. But it’s in her work behind the
scenes—her organizational leadership and tireless administration—that her true legacy lies.
For over 40 years, Barb has been the driving force behind the vitality of field hockey in PEI,
ensuring that the sport remains relevant and successful despite ongoing challenges. She’s
served as the PEISAA Field Hockey Commissioner since 1999 and has been the de facto (and
official) President of Field Hockey PEI since its inception—no one really knows when she wasn’t
the president. She’s also been the steadfast manager of UPEI Field Hockey since 2002, playing
a pivotal role in organizing Provincial teams, running events, and advocating for the sport.
Barb’s behind-the-scenes work has shaped the careers of many, including national athletes like
Kathryn MacDougall, Donna Phillips, and myself. She’s consistently gone above and beyond,
securing high-performance funding, offering athletes access to specialized physical and
psychological training, and reducing financial barriers for PEI families so that athletes could
compete at the elite level without being held back by costs.
Barb’s advocacy for field hockey has never been limited to our Island—she has also been a
passionate and vocal advocate at the national level, particularly through her work with Field
Hockey Canada. Barb is not just known but beloved within the national field hockey community,
and I’d even venture to say she’s just known as “Barb” in the world of Canadian field hockey.
Her vocal protests when the Canada Games dropped field hockey, along with her tireless efforts
to keep PEI teams and athletes on the national stage, were crucial in ensuring the sport’s
survival in Canada. Her influence in sending PEI’s best athletes to national development camps,
training tours, and try-outs has been steadfast, and the lasting impact of her work continues to
shape the future of field hockey in Canada.
In more recent years, Barb’s advocacy took on new urgency when the AUS decision left field
hockey teams in Atlantic Canada unable to compete at Nationals. Thanks to Barb’s tireless
efforts, the first iteration of the new U SPORTS Invitational Field Hockey Championships took
place in November 2024, which saw the inclusion of the Atlantic University Field Hockey League
for the first time in decades. This victory is a direct result of her commitment to ensuring that the
next generation of field hockey players have every opportunity to succeed.
As a result of Barb’s tireless dedication, Barb was awarded the 2007 Sport PEI Administrator of
the Year. In 2013, Barb was honored with the Sport PEI President’s Award for her outstanding
contributions to sport on Prince Edward Island. In 2014, Barb was awarded the PEI School
Athletic Association (PEISAA) Charlie Ballem Award, which is presented to a former member of
the PEISAA for their outstanding contribution towards the promotion and development of School
Athletics in Prince Edward Island. In 2021, Barb was awarded with the PEISAA Administrators
Award. In addition to her work in field hockey, Barb is also an exceptional volunteer in volleyball
and track and field, where she has been recognized for her dedication and service. Additionally,
in 2021, the Cavendish Beach Volleyball Tournament– Organizing Committee was inducted into
the Volleyball PEI Hall of Fame, which Barb was a part of. These recognitions are a testament
to her tireless commitment and her invaluable role in building not just the sport, but the
community that surrounds it.
In closing, it is clear that Barb is more than deserving to be celebrated for the incredible force
she is and the absolutely incredible impact she has had on the sport of field hockey, the
countless athletes and coaches, and the very fabric of our athletic community. As the ultimate
builder, Barb has built a legacy of opportunity, empowerment, and resilience for generations of
women in this province and beyond. She has never wavered in her belief in the power of sport
to change lives and we are all so much better off because of her.
There is truly no one more deserving of this prestigious honour than our dear, fierce, and
amazing, Barb Carmichael
Inducted by Katie Baker and Lacy MacLauclan
