Sue Neill

Sue Neill

Education and Professional Career

Sue Neill (BPHE, Toronto, '66; M Sc, U of Alberta '68; Ph D, Ottawa, '83) attended school in Toronto where she began her career, competing in volleyball and basketball, at Malvern Collegiate. An honours student in high school, she continued her record of excellence in the Physical Education honours program at the University of Toronto, winning the Alumni Award as the outstanding graduate in 1966 and the Benson Award as the graduating student with the best combined record in sport and academics.

At the University of Alberta, she earned an M Sc in exercise physiology in '68 and was appointed sessional instructor and coach of women's volleyball and field hockey teams. She remained at the University of Alberta until 1982, being named the Director of Women's Athletics in 1970, and Associate Professor in 1979. As a faculty member she taught a wide variety of academic courses and supervised graduate students while continuing to coach and provide leadership in the emerging coaching specialization route.

In 1980, Sue took leave from the University of Alberta to pursue further studies and was awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council doctoral fellowship. She moved to Ottawa and earned a PhD from the University of Ottawa in 1983. It was during this period the Sue began playing hockey for the Outaouais Field Hockey Club.

While in Ottawa, Sue began working for the Government of Canada as a Sport Canada policy analyst in 1982 and held many positions in Sport Canada finishing her professional career as Director of International Sport in the Department of Canadian Heritage in 2007.

Hockey Contribution

Sue has been a particularly strong influence in field hockey from the grass roots up to the Olympics, and World Cup. A catalyst in the growth of the sport in Alberta, she was the provincial coach from 1972 to 1979, and national coach in 1974. From 1973 – 1980, Sue was President of the Canadian Women’s Field Hockey Association and it was during this period that the Canadian Women’s Team first experienced significant international competition results. Sue has led Canadian field hockey delegations to competitions in New Zealand, Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States.

In 1975, Sue began a long involvement in the international governing bodies, first the IFWHA and then the FIH, as a board member, executive member and as an organizer of international competitions, judge, and tournament director.

In 1983, Sue was elected to the Board of the Pan American Hockey Federation. She served as Chair of the Competitions Committee and then was elected as Honorary Secretary General in 1995.  During her time in this role, she worked with PAHF President, Tony von Ondarza, who describes Sue as “both his right hand and his left hand.” 

Sue played field hockey with the Nomads Hockey Club in Toronto, the Ptarmigans Hockey Club In Edmonton and finally the Outaouais Field Hockey Club in the 80s in Ottawa.

Recognition and Awards

During the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sue was named Honorary Life Member by the PAHF.  This recognition acknowledged her contribution to the development of field hockey in the Americas over the past 25 years. Sue is also a Member of Honour of the International Hockey Federation.

Among many other awards in recognition of her work for Canadian and international sport are: induction to the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame, induction into the University of Alberta Wall of Fame, honorary life memberships in the Alberta and Canadian Women’s Field Hockey Associations, induction into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame, Air Canada Amateur Sport Executive of the Year finalist and distinguished service awards from the Province of Alta and the CWFHA.

Among other appointments, she has served several terms on the boards of the Canadian Olympic Association, and the Coaching Association of Canada.

Current Volunteer Activity (2023)

Sue continues her volunteer work in hockey as the Chair of the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame Committee. In her community of Old Ottawa South, she is Vice President of the Old Ottawa South Community Association and Chair of its Traffic and Safety Committee.

Prepared by Denys Cooper (2023)

References:

Sue Neill (1996) - Sports Wall of Fame - University of Alberta (bearsandpandas.ca)

https://fieldhockey.ca/fr/inductee/dr-sue-neill-batisseur/

Sue Neill named Honourary Life Member by Pan American Hockey Federation - Field Hockey Canada

https://bearsandpandas.ca/honors/sports-wall-of-fame/sue-neill/111

https://varsityblues.ca/honors/hall-of-fame/susan-neill/38