Links - UPEI Field Hockey Coach Steps Down Athletics Main - North River Minor Hockey Association

UPEI Field Hockey Coach Steps Down Athletics Main Site University of Prince Edward Island UPEI Home Future Students Current Students Alumni & Friends Parents & Family Staff & Faculty Contacts SuckerfishHome Campus Recreation & Club Sports Athletics Facilities Schedule & Scores Athlete of the Week Contact Us Partnerships Box Office Recruitment Panther Sport TeamsMens Soccer Womens Soccer Womens Rugby Field Hockey Mens Basketball Womens Basketball Mens Hockey Womens Hockey Swimming UPEI Field Hockey Coach Steps DownUPEI Field HockeyHeadlines Roster Coaching Staff Schedule & Scores The decision wasnt easy but it was one Tracey Gairns Brioux knew she had to makeAs head coach of the UPEI field hockey program since 2005 she was simply running out of the energy needed to help keep the program up and runningThis week she formally announced her decision to step down Islander Sheila Bell who is moving back to the province from Calgary has been named as the replacementAlthough a varsity sport we are still club funded by the university meaning the coach has a lot of responsibility for raising funds to support the program said Gairns BriouxAt this point I think I have exhausted most of my energy to do that and its time for someone newBell takes over the program in JulyShe is going to be an awesome addition and I think she will do great things for UPEI field hockey said the outgoing coach who with her husband John a former UPEI hockey player are expecting their first child this yearFrom the getgo Gairns Brioux and the program faced an uphill battle but one she embracedShe took over the Panther side a year after the program lost its varsity fundingThe focus in my first year was starting to rebuild the program and the league after several of the teams had taken a big financial hit she said We borrowed uniforms constructed our own field (while the turf was still under construction) for our home games and rallied togetherUnder her guidance UPEI won its first league championship in over 30 years and had an undefeated season The girls were very talented but I still cant believe we did that after the challenging year they had faced in the previous season I have to give credit to former coaches Jana Parker and Tracy McGee for sticking with the program through some tough times and bringing in the caliber of players that they didThe coach said she was proud of what the players have accomplished over the past four yearsI think the league is the strongest its been in a long time and I think the talent that has come out of and exists in our program is outstanding said Gairns Brioux The program produced three consecutive Atlantic league championships three straight Atlantic league MVPs two consecutive UPEI athletes of the year and has contributed the first UPEI field hockey player ever to become a memb...