Terry Wheatley-Magee

Wheatley Terry, Olympian

Born in Saskatoon, 1960, Terry has been involved with field hockey for over three decades. As seen in an extract from a University of Toronto write up:

“In her four seasons as a Varsity Blue, Terry led her team to win several high-profile awards, including a 1981 CIAU championship, two national silver medals and two OWIAA championships. Terry served as captain for two years and racked up countless accolades. She was named the 1984 U of T Female Athlete of the Year, was a Benson Award nominee, an OWIAA Athlete of the Month, and was twice named a CIAU first-team-all-Canadian.

“Following her incredible playing career, Terry found equal success as a coach, motivational speaker and athletic administrator. She spent 18 years as the high - performance coordinator of Field Hockey Canada and coached the Carleton University field hockey team during those years. She was the assistant coach for the Ravens from 1990 to 1995 and their head coach from 1996 to 2001.  In 2000, Terry found herself at the top of the podium again when she brought home double honours as the Ontario Coach of the Year and the Canadian University Coach of the Year – a first in the history of Carleton Athletic.  She is also a member of the Carleton Sports Hall of Fame – inducted February 22, 2003 as a Builder – Field Hockey.

Terry moved to Ottawa at the age of 8 and initially was very involved with swimming. “ Wheatley grew up a swimmer, holding a number of national and provincial records as a nine and ten-year-old, thus becoming nationally ranked.” Terry left swimming and “ in grade 11 Wheatley got her first experience with a sport (field hockey) that would eventually become her life. It was love at first sight.”

In 1981 and 1983 Terry was elected to the Ottawa Sports Awards as a top hockey player in the region.  

Terry played for Canada in the 1984 OLYMPIC Games in Los Angeles where Canada came in 5th position with wins against Australia and New Zealand. On that team also was fellow Outaouais Field Hockey Club past member Laura Branchaud. This was, and still is, the highest Olympics finish for Canada by either of the men’s or women’s field hockey teams.

Terry has 50 international caps. As she writes “… sure did enjoy the journey”.

Terry was involved with hockey for the high school girl’s league as a coach initially for Glebe High School and later for St Peter’s Catholic High School in the east end of Ottawa.

She introduced her husband Mark to field hockey with the Outaouais Field Hockey Club.

Terry’s husband, former football receiver, was inducted into University of Toronto’s Sports Hall of Fame to make them only the second wife-and-husband couple to be so honored.

They now live in Kelowna, BC.

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Terry epitomized the qualities of a high-performance athlete — talented, dedicated, and uncompromising when it came to hard work. Her commitment culminated in an exceptional playing career, highlighted by 50 international caps for Canada’s National Team between 1981 and her participation in the 1984 Olympic Games, where Canada achieved its best-ever fifth-place finish. 

However, it is difficult to define Terry by her athletic achievements alone. Over the years, she has also distinguished herself as an outstanding coach, sport administrator, and motivational speaker, earning recognition at every level. 

In my capacity as National and Olympic Team Manager, FHC Executive Director and Carleton University Head Coach, I witnessed firsthand Terry’s passion and dedication. She brought to her coaching and administrative roles the same intensity and professionalism that characterized her playing career. 

As Canada’s National High-Performance Coordinator for 18 years, Terry always put the athletes and teams first. In a challenging funding environment, she worked tirelessly to ensure that while teams and coaches might not always have received everything they wanted, they always had what they needed to train and perform at the highest level. 

As Carleton University Assistant Coach (1990–1995) and Head Coach (1996–2001), Terry went beyond the sidelines. She consistently advocated for the program and pushed for improvements in facilities, training standards, sport medicine, and funding. Her determination and leadership elevated not only her team but also the broader athletic environment at Carleton University. 

Terry’s achievements have been widely recognized. She has been inducted into the University of Toronto Hall of Fame (Athlete, 2007) and the Carleton University Hall of Fame (Builder, 2003). She has also received numerous awards, including Ottawa Sport Awards (1981 and 1984), U Sports (CIS/CIAU) Coach of the Year (2000), University of Toronto Female Athlete of the Year(1984), and U Sports (CIS/CIAU) First Team All-Star and Academic All-Canadian honours, and she served as Captain of the highly successful University of Toronto Varsity Blues Field Hockey Team.

Terry’s impact on Canadian hockey extends far beyond her time as a national and Olympic athlete. Her two decades of dedicated service as a coach, coordinator, and advocate have left an enduring mark on the sport. 

Terry Wheatley-Magee embodies the essence of excellence, integrity, and commitment in every challenge she undertakes. 

Sincerely, 

Suzzanne Nicholson 

Retired Executive Director, Field Hockey Canada 

Former National Team & Olympic Team Manager 

Former Head Coach, Carleton University 

Hall of Fame, Field Hockey Canada (Team) 

https://varsityblues.ca/honors/hall-of-fame/terry-wheatley-magee/179

https://varsityblues.ca/hof.aspx?hof=179&path=&kiosk=

https://goravens.ca/hall-of-fame/wheatley-magee-terry/

https://staging2.carleton.ca/goravens/profile/terry-wheatley-magee/

https://scratchyourhead1.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/olympian-feature/