Handsworth grad Riley Brown brings strength to UBC field hockey
NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BVM) — Riley Brown is one of the eight recruits who will join the UBC women’s field hockey program in the upcoming season. The 18-year-old native from North Vancouver will be part of the new generation whose goal is to bring more titles to the blue and gold team’s trophy cabinet. The Thunderbirds have won a record 25 Canada West titles and 19 U SPORTS National Championships.
Thunderbirds head coach Poonam Sandhu defined Brown as “a strong field hockey player” who will “bring strong character” and “a team-first attitude” to the group.
Brown, a 5-foot-7 forward/midfielder, graduated this year from Handsworth Secondary and will study Psychology at UBC. Last fall, she played for the high school’s senior team (Royals) and along with her crew brought home the silver medal in the provincial tournament. The Handsworth Secondary women’s hockey field program has the reputation of being one of the best in the region.
The UBC rookie has also stood out in provincial squads. During the spring and summer of 2019, she played for the British Columbia Rams U15 provincial team and impressed her head coach Danielle Lacroix. At the National Championships, according to Lacroix, Brown excelled in “her ball control, deception, shot selection and decision making”.
Lacroix also praises Brown’s talent to pressure opposing defenders: “her speed and her aggressive yet composed pursuit of the ball would often lead to turnovers by opponents.”
Besides field hockey, the BC product has practiced soccer and skiing; all of which shaped the athlete she is today.
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